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When the Wellington Phoenix make their A-League debut against Melbourne next weekend, Richard Johnson might have to content himself with a place on the bench. It's a lot better than jail.
The 33-year-old midfielder has just returned from an Achilles injury and has yet to stake a claim for a starting spot but a place in the squad seemed a distant dream just five months ago.
On March 18, Johnson made the biggest mistake of his life when he tried to outrun police in a drunken car chase around Newcastle, NSW. He was soon handed an eight-month jail sentence, including a six-month non-parole period, that would have almost certainly signalled the end of his football career.
Johnson had his sentence suspended on appeal, citing mitigating circumstances like his mother's battle with cancer.
It would be wrong to call it an epiphany but a remorseful Johnson has a new outlook on life. Facing up to the prospect of time in jail can do that to people.
"It's something I reflect on quite often and I have had many a sleepless night thinking about it," the former Watford player says after another long day training in Wellington. "I now have a greater appreciation for what I have because I realise how quickly you can lose it all.
"The thing is, I'm a pretty quiet and private person. It was a ridiculous thing I did and I get embarrassed talking about it but I just hope I can repay the club for sticking by me."
The Phoenix would have been within their rights to tear up Johnson's contract but they stuck by him. Ironically, coach Ricki Herbert moved to make Johnson one of his first captures because he had been so impressed with the midfielder's professionalism during Herbert's short stint as Knights manager at the end of last season.
"The reason Richard is here is that I thought he was very professional in everything he did last year, and he's continued that," Herbert says.
"People might judge him but he wants to make a difference at this club."
Johnson made the biggest difference with Watford, where he played 242 games over 12 seasons before short stints with Northampton, Colchester, Stoke, QPR and Milton Keynes. He then spent one year with Newcastle in the A-League's inaugural season before crossing the Tasman to team up with the Knights.
It's fair to say that wasn't the best season of his career, with the club lurching from defeat to defeat before falling over financially, but he brightens immeasurably when talking about the Phoenix.
"It's totally different," Johnson says. "And it starts from the owner [Terry Serepisos]. He has a passion for the football club and where he sees it going. At the Knights, that wasn't the case.
"Wellington's a bit different to Auckland, where there wasn't much publicity and no one really cared about the club. Here in Wellington, there seems to be a tight-knit sporting community.
"Ricki's coaching, and the team he has built up, make me think that we will be challenging for the top four."
Their pre-season form, when they toppled both Melbourne and Sydney away from home and played an attractive, attacking style of football, suggests they could do well. But the Phoenix will be coming up against sides that have had three years together, not three months, and they will need to hit the ground running.
"Because it's such a short season, 21 games, it's really important we get off to a good start and get the buzz going around the city," Johnson says.
He already feels the buzz.
He has felt it since being granted his freedom.
