Tom King: Newport keeper sets world record with Cheltenham goal
- Published
Tom King: I'm going to be a famous answer in a quiz somewhere
Newport County goalkeeper Tom King has set a new world record for the longest goal scored in competitive football.
The 25-year-old scored as the Exiles drew 1-1 at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.
His goal-kick was picked up in the wind, catching out Robins keeper Josh Griffiths before sailing into the net.
Guinness World Records confirmed, external King "officially broke the record for the longest goal scored in a competitive football match, which covered an incredible distance of 96.01m".
Asmir Begovic previously held the world record for his November 2013 effort for Stoke City against Southampton.
It took until September 2014 for Begovic's effort - measured at 91.9m (301ft 6in) - to claim its place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
"I'm obviously absolutely delighted because it's not something that I intentionally set out to do," said King.
"I'm sure it will be talked about for a long time to come, so I'm proud and I'm sure my family will be extremely proud too.
"I'll have to drop Asmir a message to send my commiserations, but, in all honesty, it's different territory for me because it's something I never dreamt of being in the books that you get for Christmas every year.
"Hopefully I might actually read it if I get one for Christmas this year. I'm delighted and hopefully no one beats it for a long time now so I can show my grandkids!"
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
King's effort went viral on social media and he joked he would take a measuring tape back to Cheltenham.
But he says camaraderie with a fellow goalkeeper prevented any outlandish celebrations of his opener in the 1-1 draw.
"There was no celebration - I'd never do that to another goalie. I've not meant it and I think we have that kind of unwritten rule, that secret goalkeeper's union that people talk about so I'd never do that," said King.
"I'd never celebrate, but I'm just happy that I could help the team, really."