Johnson Pleaded For Another Chance

Steve Holland says the club turned down the chance to bring Eddie Johnson back till the striker turned up at Dario’s house.

The 23 year old left the Alex’s academy as a schoolboy to join Man Utd before rejecting a contract offer in 2005 after a season long loan from United. The two snubs forced Steve Holland, Dario Gradi and Neil Baker to turn Johnson’s agent away when they were contacted earlier this summer about a move for Johnson.

However, Holland has revealed that a personal plea from the Chester born striker forced the club to give in and offer Johnson a third chance at the club.

Speaking to CreweAlex.net, Holland said: ‘Eddie’s agent was on to us earlier in the summer and we all briefly sat down and discussed the possibility of bringing him back. In truth, we concluded that we didn’t think it would be a good idea because he has had two chances here previously and had not taken them.

‘Eddie then made an unprecedented trip to see Dario at his house to plead for another chance. He admitted that the two decisions he had made earlier in his career were not necessary the right ones.

‘There was a willingness for him to put his wrongs right and we have agreed to offer him a trial. It is nothing more than that. We are keeping a completely open mind about it.

‘I think Eddie has realised that the grass is not always greener on the other side.’

Johnson has turned down a two year deal at Chester City to take up the trial at Reaseheath and knows that he’s more than likely to play back up to the first team should he earn himself a contract.