Johnson attracts interest

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Reggae Boy Jermaine Johnson appears to be a wanted man. The 30-year-old player, who functions as an attacking midfielder or a winger, was the subject of a £350,000 bid from Nationwide team Nottingham Forrest according to a report which appeared in the British newspaper the Daily Star yesterday.

According to the report, Forrest's manager, Billy Davies, wants the explosive Jamaican to join their push for promotion to the top-flight Barclay's Premier League.

Sheffield Wednesday, Johnson's current team, which is described as cash-strapped, is said to be holding out for more money.

A move for Johnson would present him with the opportunity to play in a higher division, as Sheffield Wednesday are currently in League 1, one step below the Nationwide League and two below the Premiership. The move would see Johnson turning out for his fifth British club, having already represented Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and Bradford City before moving to Sheffield Wednesday.

Great things were expected of the hugely talented Johnson who became the first home-grown Jamaican to be transferred from a local club straight to a Premier League club, Bolton Wanderers, in 2001. There, he joined Ricardo Gardner, who had moved there, following his exploits in the 1998 World Cup in France.

In one of his first games, he made a mockery of Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and got rave reviews. Inconsistent performances saw him fall out of favour with the club, which loaned him to Oldham Athletic in the lower leagues in 2003.

Johnson remained with Oldham until 2006 when he moved to Bradford City where he teamed up with countryman Donovan Ricketts. Johnson was again on the move the following January, as Sheffield Wednesday came calling. While at Sheffield ,a number of clubs sought to secure Johnson's services but he was regarded as a "top asset" and not sold.