Liverpool legend John Barnes has revealed that he was given a card for free KFC but used it so often that the restaurant chain cancelled it after about six months.
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 recalls the KFC card experience
Barnes, who was born in Jamaica, 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.
He 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."
Barnes added: "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."
Card cancelled after six months
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."
Barnes on life after football
Barnes, who was signed by Sir Kenny Dalglish in 1987, had an incredibly successful career after joining the Reds. He has remained busy since retiring from professional football in 1999 at the age of 35, often appearing on a range of adverts and regularly attending events across the footballing world.
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."
