John Lewis signs footballer Lenell John-Lewis ahead of a huge summer of football

John Lewis has completed one of the most unexpected signings of the summer, bringing in National League’s Boston United striker Lenell John-Lewis ahead of a huge few months of football.

Yep, after years of being serenaded by fans with the now-famous chant “his name is a shop”, John-Lewis has finally joined forces with his namesake, and while it might not be the transfer rumour fans were expecting this summer, it might just be the one that makes your hosting skills the best yet.

The signing comes as new research from John Lewis reveals 58 percent of people in the UK are planning to watch most of this summer’s biggest matches from the sofa. And with late kick-offs, packed pubs and the very real risk of missing a goal because the line for the loo is five people deep, it is not hard to see why.

That said, according to the research, while 81 percent of people say a high-quality TV set-up is essential when hosting, one in six admit their current set-up feels more “subs bench” than premium viewing experience.

Thankfully that’s where John Lewis comes in.

Why go to John Lewis for your match-day set up?

By far the best destination for anyone looking to upgrade their home viewing experience ahead of a huge summer of football, John Lewis has an epic curation of everything from big-screen TVs to immersive sound set-ups, helping make sure you can see every pass, tackle, replay and controversial VAR check properly.

They even price match* against 25 leading retailers including Amazon and Currys on electricals, and there’s always peace of mind with a five-year guarantee** as standard on all TVs, too (T&Cs apply*).

Given the same research found nearly 80 percent of people have missed a key moment while watching football in a pub or bar, thanks to long bar queues, blocked screens and noise drowning out the commentary, the case for sorting your own big-game set-up has never been stronger.

Watching at home doesn’t come without its own “red cards”, from people talking through key moments to sitting directly in front of the TV or asking to pause the game to go to the loo.

Thankfully, Lenell John-Lewis is also on hand to offer his own matchday expertise, helping the nation create the ultimate home set-up for the summer, from choosing the right TV to getting the sound set to the perfect volume so no chant, roar or questionable refereeing decision goes unheard. And you’d be wise to listen - if anyone knows how to curate the perfect game of football, it’s “The Shop”.

What makes a TV great for sport?

When it comes to watching football at home, not all TVs are created equal. The latest tech includes AI motion-blur elimination, which is essential for tracking a fast-moving ball, while high-peak brightness from Mini-LED helps combat glare during sunny daytime kick-offs. A high frame rate is also key for handling fast-moving action on screen.

For night-time games, OLED models deliver a more cinematic viewing experience, with deep contrast and rich picture quality that helps bring the big-match atmosphere to life. Wide viewing angles are worth looking out for too, helping ensure every seat offers great picture quality, while a strong refresh rate helps reduce choppiness when the action moves quickly from one end of the pitch to the other.

Whether you’re watching every fixture at home, hosting the group chat for the big games or just want a set-up that does the tournament justice, now’s the perfect time to sort it out.

Because this summer, the best seat in the house might actually be in your house.

*T&Cs apply, visit johnlewis.com/price-promise

**T&Cs and exclusions apply. Visit johnlewis.com/customer-services/guarantees