Andy Johnson

Birth Date: 10/02/1981
Birth Place: Bedford
Birth Nation: England
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Nationality: English
Position: Forward

Andy started his career with Birmingham City before a ?750,000 move to Crystal Palace as part of the Clinton Morrison deal July 30 2002. While at Birmingham it was felt his finishing was a weakness and Johnson was often used as a right winger were his pace was felt to be an asset.

After his move to Palace Andy struggled at first but went on to finish his first season as the club's top scorer with 14 goals. The following season was even better for the young striker.

In the 2003/4 season Andy scored 32 goals to help the Londoners to gain promotion to the Premier League. Johnson was Palace's Player of the Year, won the player of the month award for January and April, was named in the PFA team of the Season, as well as winning the Umbro Isotonic Goalscorer of the Season award.

The 2004/5 season was one of personal triumph for for him with 21 goals to finish as the Premier League's second highest scorer, behind Thierry Henry, and won his first England cap. Unfortunately Palace went straight back down to the Championship, with speculation rife that Johnson would be on the move to keep his England hopes for the World Cup alive.

Andy handed in a transfer request, but after speaking to Sven Goran Eriksson, who told him that he could still get in the England team without being in the Premiership, Andy said he would stay with Palace for the following season. Johnson then signed an improved 5 year contract, with club chairman Simon Jordan blaming Andy's agent, Leon Angel, for pressuring Andy into handing in the transfer request.

Palace failed to get immediate promotion back to the Premier League and Andy failed to get into the England squad leading to renewed speculation about his future. With many clubs interested in him Johnson signed for Everton for a fee of ?8.6 million.

Andy's detractors point to the fact that out of his 21 goals in his first season in the Premier League 11 were penalties (a Premiership record), though 7 he did win himself. Though the penalties Johnson won also lend more ammunition to his detractors with allegations of diving being levelled at him.

Andy Johnson