Johnny
arrived in Cornwall along with Eniola Gesinde and Ed Williamson during a wet July,
the three Falcons having flown south to join the Cornish Pirates on loan deals
from Newcastle. His
first taste of rugby was with the Tynedale club, aged 10, always as a prop, and
his main education was at Haydon Bridge High School, near Hexham, from where he
played for Northumberland Schools. Besides
rugby, Johnny played a little bit of football when younger, worked as a lifeguard
in an open-air pool, and has also attended Newcastle College - taking a 'Btech'
Public Uniform Services course that he passed with merit! After
having only trained part time when working with the Falcons community department,
Johnny joined the Newcastle club's full-time senior Academy squad in 2005 making
his Premiership debut for them the previous year. He also played for his local
club Tynedale, represented Northumberland in the County Championship and also
toured Argentina and Uruguay with the England Counties team. Promoted to the Falcons
full 1st. team squad in 2006, besides playing in the Guinness Premiership, Johnny
has also played for the Falcons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the European Challenge
Cup competitions. A
Barnardo's boy, Johnny has has lived with foster parents Anne and Roy since he
was 10, and has undertaken charity work for this most worthy cause. Described
by an official as being a 'wonderful young man', the charity have greatly appreciated
the support he has given them. | 
