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Following on from our insight into the freestyle football scene we caught up with British freestyler and star of the 2007 documentary “In the Hands of the Gods” Paul Wood, otherwise known as Woody. Talking exclusively to TF90M, Woody tells you about the life of a freestyler, the trip of a lifetime and meeting Maradona. From a young age Woody “always wanted to be a professional footballer” and after spells with Wimbledon and Watford his playing career was unfortunately cut short due to injury. However he chose to stick “true to football roots” and enter the world of freestyle football. He describes freestyle as a “secondary thing” to someone from a football background. Along with his motto of “what you put into it, you get out” Woody was determined to make it in this field. Having spent half an hour everyday in his garden solely practicing kick up’s, it was not long before he built up a “library of tricks.” It was the Nike Freestyle Competition that helped gain recognition for the London lad and was then that Woody realised his potential. Beating off thousands of other entrants to reach the semi final stage, the competition generated “loads of jobs” for the confident freestyler. With the introduction of an agent and his own website, the former trainee had made it into the freestyle scene. Talking with his friend and fellow freestyler Danny Robinson who were both linked with Arsenal FC, the two both realised their desperation to meet Diego Maradona. Discussing who it was that started freestyle football, the two friends decided it was the Argentine legend. It was then the “crazy” idea was formed, to busk their way from New York to Buenos Aires in order to hopefully meet their hero Maradona.  The plan to cross the continent of America with no money for food, travel or accommodation was considered ludicrous when proposed to a film company. Whether or not the lads could find a film company to follow them around, the freestylers were resolute that they would attempt to meet their idol. With most people believing the trip would be hard even with funds, many thought the boys faced an impossible task. The only way the film company could be persuaded to join the venture would be if they were shown people would pay for their skills. The young men took to the landmarks of London displaying their tricks, flicks and fancy skills to the onlookers. Woody describes “whereas the best buskers earn £30-40 a day, we ended up with a three course meal at the Savoy and £500.” Having convinced Rebecca Green from Fulwell 73 who saw the opportunity as something different, the trip of a lifetime would be coming true; however the hard work was still to come. Camera crew in place, the five freestylers (Woody, Danny, Sami Hall, Jeremy Lynch and Mikey Fisher) took to Times Square unaware of what the next few weeks were to hold. “Time demanding…stressful…hardest thing to do,” Woody now rambling about the journey describes the trip was not all plain sailing. “The way we did it builds up emotions…whilst it was a great experience you’re exerting your body to earn your money.” Having to “make everything” Woody reveals the camera crew both “attracts and hinders.” Whilst it gained attention and attracted more people to crowd round the freestyle show, many were confused as to why they should donate to buskers who had a camera crew with them. Being with the other boys for so long, it was up to all of them to share the responsibility of getting around. However Woody tells how the 6 days spent in Dallas were “the most important” and that is where it all went wrong. Having done much of the work so far Woody took a backseat but with the others in control the five only made enough money for food. The bust up caused by “emotions running high” was not helped by the constant filming. Nevertheless what Woody describes as a “Big Brother” situation was forgotten about when the reward and dream of meeting Maradona came true. 
Woody divulges it was the last day that was most stressful. At his lowest point Woody had effectively “given up” on the chance of meeting his hero after it was found that Maradona was flying out of the country on that very day. With a possibility of meeting him as he left his house, the rush from the airport was far-fetched. A 45 minute journey had to be completed in just 30 minutes, at the time of the rush hour in the Argentinean capital. Woody describes himself as a “realist” and realised the “odds were against us.” Defying all laws of normality, Woody managed to grab a couple of minutes with the football superstar. “Normally people are disappointed when they meet their hero” however for Woody it was certainly not a disappointment. For all the years of dreaming, all the times of watching his video of Maradona, all the occasions of practicing his tricks whether using a football or an orange, the moment had come. Breaking down into tears, Woody says “you can see for yourself what it meant” to him by watching the film. Woody states that if Maradona gave one minute to everyone that wanted to meet him, he wouldn’t have any time. The brief time that the two shared together made all the hard work worthwhile although Woody made it clear he would have to be paid a ridiculous sum of money to ever make that trip again. 
Since the trip Woody is not the only one of the five to be busy. With the others engaging in various activities ranging from modelling to TV work, Woody is still friendly with his companions and insists despite some of the upsets on the trip, the lads remain in contact. Most notably Jeremy appeared on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and whilst Woody describes his routine as “breaking the boundaries of freestyle”, believes he didn’t need to make the performance so difficult. Away in Dubai at the time of auditions, Woody missed out on the chance to win the television programme and now believes once it has been done it would not be the same entering next year. The two freestylers are clearly different and Woody says he would “have done it differently” but admires Jeremy’s ambition. Describing himself as “one of the best (freestylers) out there” Woody pays tribute to his mate and believes Jeremy to be the better freestyler. Comparing his own style to that of “a Bergkamp or Beckham” he insists Jeremy is “the Maradona of freestyle.” A compliment indeed from arguably the former Napoli striker’s biggest fan. Woody himself, as well as featuring in adverts and performing across the globe, runs his own soccer school. Having bought out his friend and fellow freestyler Billy Wingrove he now solely owns Woody’s Football Freestyle Academy. Also running a soccer school league, Woody is pleased he can give opportunities to young kids. “Everyone gets a chance to play competitive football” with the selection process only on a first come first basis not just on ability. Working with the community Woody, as one of the top names in the industry, is able to get his freestyle friends to perform for the youngsters. Heavily booked, it is all “busy, busy” for Woody. Having appeared in numerous advertisement campaigns prior to the film release, Woody was not too shocked to see himself in the media although maintains it was “a great feeling” to appear on the silver screen and in particular attend the premieres. With the film being premiered in London and the Cannes Film Festival the experience was surreal for the freestyler. It was at the latter that Woody ended up rubbing shoulders with such stars as Jude Law, Cesc Fabregas and Jessica Simpson. Describing it as “mad”, Woody was particularly excited to be close to the American female singer. The film “In the Hands of the Gods” is not just a fantastic film for a football fan but also for anyone who has a dream. Woody regards the “unbelievable and irreplaceable” experience to be a “great example of working hard gets you your dream.” By James Bailey I would like to thank Woody for taking time out of his hectic schedule to talk to TF90M. I recommend you visit his websites www.woodyfreestyle.com and www.paulwoodfreestyle.com. You can also find out more about the film at www.inthehandsofthegods.com and check out his freestyle tips at www.uefa.com/trainingground. Woody has released a freestyle DVD so if you want to learn from the master then purchase both his own DVD and also the film.
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