Morpeth Town are delighted to welcome Andrew Johnson to Craik Park, after the former Spennymoor Town man penned a deal over the weekend.
The attacker left Spenny citing a need to take on a new challenge, and he has opted to join a Highwaymen outfit who are upwardly mobile after successive promotions, with another being targeted when the Northern Premier League gets back underway.
He spent five seasons with Ashington, after moving from West Allotment, where he won the Senior Cup in 2013, before making the switch to Spennymoor. Four seasons followed there, with promotion to National League North achieved in 2016/17. Johnson also scored at MK Dons in the FA Cup first round. The following campaign he netted 20 goals, including a hat-trick in the FA Trophy fifth round replay, as he continued to impress.
All of this makes Johnson a superb acquisition for the club, with the player himself keen to be a part of an ambitious project.
“I had a brilliant four seasons at Spennymoor but felt I needed a new challenge,” he told the club website.
“There are a lot of similarities between Spennymoor and Morpeth as both are trying to progress through the leagues and that’s something I want to be part of. On a personal note, I live local and the move will be of benefit to my family life.
“I see Morpeth as a very similar club to when I first joined Spennymoor; a club on the up. It’s a great time to join.”
Johnson has witnessed from afar the quick evolution process that the Highwaymen are going through, moving through the divisions at pace while constantly improving off-field facilities too.
“Work is getting done to the ground and crowds are improving; it’s a club moving in the right direction. Everything seems to be coming together both on and off the pitch and the club has had plenty successes over the last couple few seasons; I hope I can be part of a few more going forward.
“I think the current squad is full of quality players who have lots of experience at this level, and above; I hope to add to what’s already here.
“The league is very competitive with some good teams. Making Craik Park a difficult place to come to and being hard to beat away will be key to any success achieved next season.”
Highwaymen boss Nick Gray was delighted to secure Johnson’s signature, and believes he will add quality to an already talented squad.
“AJ is an outstanding signing for the club and will undoubtedly add quality to the fantastic set of players we have,” said Gray.
“He was a great player at Ashington and when he went to Spennymoor he became an even better player.
“The type of player we are getting is a player who has an eye for goal, can play anywhere across the front line, has a fantastic work ethic and a wonderful attitude on and off the pitch.”
