Player to watch – Tommy JohnsonGillingham player/manager Andy Hessenthaler recruited a couple of vastly experienced forwards to boost their chances of making an impact in Division One this campaign.

Player to watch – Tommy Johnson

Gillingham player/manager Andy Hessenthaler recruited a couple of vastly experienced forwards to boost their chances of making an impact in Division One this campaign. Rod Wallace came after a season with Bolton Wanderers but may miss out today through injury. Wallace was a former England Under-21 international whose career took him to Southampton, Leeds United and Glasgow Rangers.

Tommy Johnson is another who has tasted the top level of football both in England and Scotland. His first appearance against Ipswich Town was on May 7, 1991 when he opened the scoring for Notts County in a 3-1 win for the Magpies at Meadow Lane. County went on to win promotion through the play-offs but found they were out of their depth.

His record of 47 goals in 118 League games for County led to Derby County paying £1.3 million in March 1992 for the England Under 21 international.

Johnson never played against Ipswich Town in a Derby County shirt but moved to Aston Villa for £1.45 million in January 1995. The following May he turned out for Aston Villa at Portman Road on April 1, 1995 when Chris Swailes scored a 90th minute own goal for the Villa winner.

In March 1997 he moved to Glasgow to play for Celtic. He cost the Scottish club £2.4 million but played only 35 League games and scored 18 goals. Last season he had loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Kilmarnock. His record for the latter, seven goals in 10 games, perhaps encouraged Gillingham to bring him to Kent on a free transfer.