Johnson: Cobblers the only club for me
John Johnson admits he was sad to end his career with home town club Middlesbrough last week.
But the defender said there was only one team he was going to play for after leaving the Riverside – and that was the Cobblers.
Johnson was hugely popular with the Sixfields supporters during eight-months with Town last season, finishing second in the Chronicle & Echo's player of the year voting. The 21-year-old was also a big hit with the coaching staff and his club-mates, whom he was delighted to rejoin last week when it became clear his time in the north-east was
over.
"It didn't work out for me at Middlesbrough and I really enjoyed it here last year," said Johnson who will line up for the Cobblers in their final friendly, against Birmingham at Sixfields on Sunday. "So there was no reason not to come back.
"I thought I did pretty well for Northampton last week and it's good to be back here.
"It's been rumbling on all through the summer and Sammo has given me the opportunity to come here and play some football so I'm going to give it my best shot.
"I really enjoyed it here last season, we had a great set of lads and most of them are still here so it wasn't a problem to come back and stay here permanently."
Johnson only played once for Middlesbrough's first team after rising through their academy ranks, but the right-back is not bitter about the lack of chances he was given there.
A native of the town's Park End area, it was always going to be painful for Johnson to leave a club at which he had grown up.
But the blow was cushioned by a new start at a club where the defender had 'a good time' last year, and one he chose ahead of a number of others.
"It was sad to leave Middlesbrough but these things happen and you have to move on," he said.
"I knew I was going to be leaving there about three weeks ago and I started talking to people at that stage.
"I decided to join Northampton because it was the best move for me and because I had such a good time here last year.
"There was some interest from elsewhere but the gaffer wanted me here and I'm delighted to be back."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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