The former Liverpool star spoke about the hilarious experience on the Defend and Attack podcast
Ex footballer John Barnes was signed by Sir Kenny Dalglish in 1987
Ex footballer John Barnes was signed by Sir Kenny Dalglish in 1987(Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
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Liverpool legend John Barnes shared what happened when he overused a "free KFC" card. The 62-year-old former footballer spoke about his sponsorships during a recent episode of the Defend and Attack podcast hosted by former Brookside star Simon O'Brien.
Barnes, who was born in Jamaica, had an incredibly successful career after joining the Reds in 1987. The winger was signed by Sir Kenny Dalglish and went on to become a key part of one of Liverpool's strongest sides.
However, he has remained busy since retiring from professional football in 1999 at the age of 35. He often appears on a range of adverts, as well as regularly attending events across the footballing world and beyond.
In a recent appearance on the Defend and Attack podcast, the former Liverpool star spoke to Simon O'Brien about his life after football.
He recalled what happened when he was gifted a card from KFC which he discovered could be used to get free food from all of its restaurants.
Barnes said: "I did this thing for KFC once and they gave me a card with a number on it that gave me free KFC. I had it for about a year and I was going to KFC in Bristol and all these places.
"I'd pull up to the drive-thru. I just got on my phone and I said I've got a number here. They'd go in the back and call the manager. Begrudgingly they would give me free KFC."
He said: "They gave it me to use sparingly. But because I used it so much, I tried to use it once and they said 'that's not valid any more mate you've used too much'.
He laughed as he said: "It was supposed to be a lifetime KFC and it lasted for about six months".
The Defend and Attack podcast sees Barnes talk about his time on the pitch and memories from his incredible career. Although he was born in Jamaica, Barnes has previously said he considers himself a Scouser and feels at home in the city.
Speaking on The Overlap earlier this year, he said: "It’s really interesting. Football is a working class sport. As much as I’m a middle class boy from uptown Kingston.
"When I played football, I used to play in the inner city as a middle class kid. It's a socialist sport, there's no hierarchy in football. You win together, you lose together.
"I've always had an affiliation with normal people. When I came north of Birmingham, which happened to be Liverpool, and I'm sure Manchester would be the same, I liked the people.
"Down to earth, normal people. You can't walk around with any airs and graces. You can't walk around pretend you're something your not. That's why I've always said it takes a special character to play for Liverpool."