SPORTING all-rounder Gavin Johnson, who had given up football to concentrate on motorsport, has made a spectacular return to the game as an international!
The 25-year-old Runcorn man has suspended his competitive karting career to take the field again - with the Rail Industries Great Britain team.
He came through trials to earn selection for a game in Luxembourg and scored one of the goals in a 6-0 victory.
Now the striker has been chosen from the 22-strong RIGB squad as one of 10 players for a futsal tournament in Prague this week.
This is an indoor version of the sport and the three-day competition will see the British team pitched against other top footballing nations including Italy, France and Spain.
Johnson said: 'I gave football up but the Great Britain thing was too good an offer to miss.'
He hasn't karted for a number of months now, football having suddenly become No1 priority again.
Believing he is in his footballing prime, Johnson knows he can resume his track career at a future date as karting is potentially a longer career.
Johnson, resource manager for Manchester-based Morson Support Services' Rail Division, took up karting only last year but made a quick impression with Manchester & Buxton Karting Club.
He had three podium finishes in as many novice races at Three Sisters track in Wigan - the highlight being victory in the Gold Cup, his club's biggest event of the year.
Swift progress saw him upgraded to National A status, ensuring a higher grid position.
Since returning to football, Johnson has been turning out on Saturdays for Salford AFC in the Altrincham & District League, notching eight goals in his first seven games for them.
He has also returned to playing for Sandymoor to aid their fight against relegation in the Warrington & District Sunday League.
Johnson has been invited for trials with Conference North outfit Stalybridge Celtic.
'I am just struggling to fit everything in at the moment and have taken a knock on the knee in the last couple of weeks, but I am hoping to be at Stalybridge for pre-season,' he added.
'I will be back karting - I miss it too much - but feel I need to concentrate solely on my football for the moment.'
