Mentoring, marching and matchdays: life as a football club's ambassador

Andy Johnson scored 85 goals for Crystal Palace and is now back in south London representing the club in the community

By Richard Foster for The Agony and the Ecstasy

Andy Johnson is revered by Crystal Palace fans. He scored 85 goals in 160 appearances for the club, including a memorable hat-trick against rivals Brighton in his first season, and he almost single-handedly kept them in the Premier League in 2004-05, with 21 goals – second only to Thierry Henry – but his greatest achievement at the club may still be to come. Two years ago he was appointed as the club’s ambassador and last month he became an Honorary Patron of the club’s foundation. Johnson has set his sights on changing the lives of young people across south London.

“Of course I get involved in meeting guests at matches, the golf days and the like,” he says. “But there’s lots and lots that come under the umbrella of an ambassador and nothing is as important as helping disadvantaged youngsters. The foundation is a charitable organisation that is focused on raising funds and awareness as well as creating pathways for the youth of south London.”

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