Former Portsmouth, Crystal Palace and Millwall keeper a world record breaker after bizarre goal

The former Admiral Lord Nelson school pupil has been confirmed as scoring the longest range goal of all time for Newport County on Tuesday night.

Guinness World Records have stated the former Blues trainee’s effort at Cheltenham comes in at a new landmark distance of 96.01m.

That sees King comfortably overtake the outstanding record which stood at 91.9m by Asmir Begovic in 2013.

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The 25-year-old’s wind-assisted goal kick flew over Cheltenham loan keeper Josh Griffiths with the aid of a bounce to see King hit the headlines.

Ironically, the former Millwall man knows Begovic from their time together at Fratton Park when King was emerging as a keeper.

He told Sky Sports News he will have some words with the Bosnian international moving forward.

‘I was a young trainee when Asmir was a first-team goalkeeper there (at Pompey).

‘We’ve had mutual acquaintances throughout each others’ careers.

‘I’ve not had contact with him yet, but I’m sure at some point we’ll share a funny message.’

Speaking before the record was confirmed, King spoke of his hope the goal would be a new high.

He added: ‘I’ve had enough Guinness World Record books for Christmas, so to be in one would be lovely.

‘I will be down at Cheltenham with my own tape measure if there’s not anyone checking.

‘It would be quite the achievement.

‘I’d love to say I saw him off the line and meant to do it, but it’s not something I’ve been practising.

‘I’ve done it as a young kid playing in smaller goals on smaller pitches, so to take it into the professional game is a dream.

‘I didn’t celebrate because we’re all in the goalkeepers’ union and have that pact not to celebrate.

‘There’s no goal bonus, but if it happens again in my career I’d be truly astounded. I just need to hope for some really windy pitches!’

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