Pharrell Johnson 'buzzing' to play senior football at Swindon Town

The 19-year-old came through the academy set-up at Nottingham Forest but had played just 43 minutes of senior football in his career, all in the EFL Trophy, before making a permanent move to the County Ground in January.

Johnson said that he felt like he was ready to start playing senior football when the opportunity to move to Swindon came up.

He said: “It is something that I have wanted to do, I don’t see it as a hurdle or something that scares me, I just want to take it in my stride and I look forward to that.

“I remember a couple of years ago with the Youth Cup, we played at Old Trafford filled with fans, so I have had that before and the fans around here are really good.

“I am at an age now where I feel it is important that I play senior football and Swindon were knocking on the door and gave me the opportunity here.

“I have loved every minute of it [playing for Swindon], from the minute I walked through the door I felt welcome, all of the players and the staff felt together.

“As soon as I was warming up and he [Gavin Gunning] called me over and said ‘you are going on’, I was buzzing.

“I thought that I did well [against Bradford City], it is different to under-23s football but it was something that I felt ready for.”

Johnson is the son of former Notts County and Birmingham City defender Michael Johnson and Town’s new boy said that his father has been a real help for him as he has moved through the ranks.

He said: “He would be happy if I was to do anything but once he could see a ball at my feet when I was young it probably put a smile on his face.

“He is brilliant for me, I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the advice and guidance that he has installed within me.

“He had a great career, bless him, and he does pass those little gems down to me.

“We do have that little competitive banter, but it is nothing but good spirits and he just wants the best for me.”