Schoolboy Adam Johnson is proving to be a lucky charm on the football pitch.

The eight-year-old natural goalscorer from Chestnut Road, Pitsea, has been playing for two seasons and has never been on a losing side.

Lucky charm - Adam Johnson has never been on a losing team Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Adam has bagged 154 goals in 64 games with last year's under-seven Chelmsford League champions Castledon Colts, from Wickford, and Southend Junior League under-eight champions Elmwood Colts this season.

"He lives and dreams about football -- he is a football fanatic," said proud dad Garry Johnson.

"He's not so much a Wayne Rooney as he is a Thierry Henry -- he's quite thin and fast and a very nippy player."

Adam's promise has attracted the attention of clubs including West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Charlton and Leyton Orient.

But he opted to join Southend United's centre of excellence because the Shrimpers are his local team.

Now Garry, whose 11-year-old son Sam trains with Spurs and plays for Billericay side Forest Glade, is hoping Adam will follow his grandad Chas Johnson into the game.

Chas was a reserve team player for Spurs, Millwall and Brentford, and follows his grandson's progress through word-of-mouth reports and press cuttings.

Published Friday, June 6, 2003

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