Sam Johnson relishing football in the Welsh League after being released by Newport County at youth level
Sam Johnson walks into the coffee shop in Barry. He was born here, he is comfortable in this environment. And he has a relaxed mentality. He starts by taking a sip of his water he has brought after long-hard day’s work at the life insurance company he works at.
“My job as a life insurance advisor isn’t that exciting, but it gets the job done,” he says, with a glowing smile on his face.
But what Johnson does best is score goals. He buried another 23 this season in all competitions, and despite just moving from Taffs Well to Goytre United, he is enjoying life at the Welsh League Division One outfit.
Havvywest away on a Tues night in this weather😷 🌲 points 2 goals, 20 league ⚽ for season
— Sam Johnson (@SamMJohnson_) May 1, 2018
“All the guys at Goytre United are great and I get on really well with all the staff and players. We had a presentation the other night and we all had a good laugh, they’re all really nice people – and most of all, they’re all easy to get along with. Lee (John) has been great too and was a massive reason why I joined the club.”
When at Ely Rangers, Johnson flourished. This was when his career really started to take shape after enjoying himself at local level playing for the likes of Barry Bluebirds, Sully Sports, Dinas Powys and Bristol Academy before joining Taffs Well. “I really enjoyed my time at Taffs Well,” he says.
“They gave me a fantastic opportunity. But at the end of the day I just wasn’t enjoying my football, so I moved to Goytre United.”
Johnson has bigger aims and although he wants to help Goytre United as much as he can, the sky is his limit and would clearly jump at the opportunity if a Welsh Premier League club approached him. “I am settled at this club, but if a Welsh Premier League club came in, I would have to consider it.”
“It has been brilliant working my way up the leagues. Now I just want to try and aim to play as high as possible. There is nothing I adore more than kicking around a football for 90 minutes.”
The Goytre United front-man believes his Dad helped him massively in getting into the sport and he has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years.
Johnson used to play as a central midfield player but is flourishing in his role as a striker now and he no doubt has phenomenal technical ability which could see him reach the top. “I used to be a central midfielder, running around like a maniac. So it is a bit weird that I have now become this goal-scoring striker. But I am really enjoying my role as a forward now.”
But it hasn’t been all plain sailing for the 21-year-old, who was released by Newport County at under-15 level. “It wasn’t a nice feeling,” admitted Johnson. “I only had one season there. I know I am small now, but I was tiny then. But it made me more determined than ever, and I hit the gym and it has paid dividends for where I am today.”
The attribute which stands Johnson out from the rest is his pure perseverance and determination to get through in life, as he stares up towards the ceiling. “It has been a bit of a stop-and-start season for me. But next season I want to get it absolutely right after moving clubs and having a few niggles with injuries this year.”
(Featured image: Jordan Jones)
