It's been another memorable week for Boro's glorious inheritance. Josh Walker is set to skipper England Under-18s at Hartlepool while England Under-19 captain Lee Cattermole and Seb Hines have been called up for an international tournament. But, not to be outdone, 19-year-old Adam Johnson is back in the first team and, in Part Three of the Gazette's exclusive new series, Philip Tallentire> turns the spotlight on Boro's latest wing wonder.
Young Adam Johnson was so small and slight, the man who discovered him admits he wasn't sure if he'd ever be strong enough to cope in professional football.
Peter Kirkley is the Boro scout who spotted a tiny schoolboy demonstrate dazzling footwork in an East Durham school-age match.
Looking back to that fateful day for both player and club, Peter, who now works for Newcastle, said: "Adam would have been about 12 or 13 when I first spotted him.
"I didn't know anything about him, I'd never seen him before or heard anything about him, I was just out scouting and there he was - which is how it happens most of the time.
"He was playing in a local league, perhaps for the district team, and his skill stood out immediately.
"He was what I call a proper left winger. He went down the wing, put over good crosses and he could also score goals."
That was the good news, however, as the vastly experienced talent-spotter reveals, there were doubts about Adam's small stature.
"He was so very, very slight," said Peter, a genial Geordie who talent-spotted for Boro from 1992 until 2000.
"We took him in and he worked with Stan Nixon at Boro's centre of excellence for a while.
"Then, when the Academy system was set up, the club kept him on. We were never convinced he would be big enough to cope in professional football, but we looked at his father, who's not a small fellow, and we were fairly confident he would grow as he got older.
"I was never sure. It was only when he went full time with Boro that you noticed the difference in his stature.
"David Parnaby and Ron Bone have to be complimented for taking him on and sticking with him."
One thing that helped Adam's cause during his time as a schoolboy trainee was his terrific will to succeed.
Peter said: "He had a great attitude and his parents were always so supportive.
"He never missed a training night, he was always there and he loved his football.
"It's so pleasing that he's been successful, especially as he was so slight, he was the smallest lad at the development centre.
"He had character, he's a very confident lad, in a nice way.
"I'm delighted to see him playing Premiership football, he deserves it."
Flair of our wing wonder>
Gareth Southgate has given Adam Johnson licence to thrill.
The gifted left-winger has the ability to destroy the best of defences and Boro's new manager wants his 19-year-old wizard to demonstrate the full range of his tricks.
Adam, who made his first Premiership start of the season at Bolton on Saturday and is expected to play against Notts County tonight, said: "Gareth has played with all of us, he knows what we're like and what we can do.
"He said to me when he took over that I've got nothing to prove. He just wants me to play my natural game.
"He's trying to encourage me and James Morrison to get at players, he wants us to play with freedom and express ourselves."
Adam likes nothing better than taking opponents on, knocking the ball past them and beating them for pace.
"That's my game all over," he said. "I love attacking players. It's exciting for the fans, they love to see players who get at the opposition and that's my game. My game is to create for others."
The 2005/06 campaign was Adam's breakthrough season.
Despite playing in the same position as first-choice left-winger Stewart Downing, he still managed to play in almost a third of Boro's 64 fixtures.
He made eight Premiership starts and came off the bench on five other occasions. He also started four cup ties and replaced Downing in Stuttgart. Not bad for a player who didn't turn 19 until July.
"I played 18 or 19 games last season - that was my breakthrough year," said Adam. "Hopefully I can start even more this season and be a regular.
"I think you've got to have self-belief these days. You've got to have faith in your own ability.
"All the young lads believe in themselves. They know they are good enough to play for the first team."
Legends impressed>
Adam Johnson's prodigious talent was identified by no less than two former England skippers.
The gifted son of County Durham is a throwback to the streetwise dribblers who critics of the modern game claim are a thing of the past.
Small in stature and unable to physically compete with bigger opponents, young Adam used his natural pace and skill to bamboozle his markers.
It was this dazzling talent that caught the eye of England legends Johnny Haynes and Emlyn Hughes, both of whom have since sadly died.
Adam's mother Sonia takes up the story.
"We were on holiday at Butlins and Adam entered a football skills competition," she explained.
"He ended up winning it and he met Emlyn Hughes, who was lovely with the kids. Emlyn said to him 'your left foot is great'.
"It was wonderful that he singled him out."
The meeting with Haynes was extra special because it took place at Wembley stadium on March 23, 1998.
"Peterlee and District Schools played at Wembley in a seven-a-side tournament sponsored by Adidas Predator," said Sonia.
"Adam's team and three others from around the country won through to Wembley.
"The finals were played on the same day as England Under-16 schoolboys were playing Brazil.
"David Parnaby, who went on to coach Adam at Boro's Academy was in charge of England that day and Stuart, his son, was playing against Brazil. They played the match on the Wembley turf and I do remember Adam scoring twice.
"We've still got his tiny Predator boots with the Wembley turf on the bottom in a box. He never wore them again.
"Johnny Haynes was the guest of honour and he said to Adam: 'You're a great little player, you've got a lovely left foot.' I'll always remember what he said."
Rivals missed out on player>
Boro fans will be delighted to learn that bitter North-east rivals Sunderland and Newcastle let Adam Johnson slip through their fingers.
The Black Cats in particular must be ruing the day they failed to appreciate the ability of a Sunderland-born youngster who spent many an afternoon perfecting his skills under their noses.
Adam's dad Dave, said: "He regularly went on a football scheme run by the club at Sunderland Leisure Centre. He would have been about five or six at the time. He came away with all the certificates, but they never picked up on him."
Adam trained with Newcastle for two seasons from 1995-97.
"He went to Newcastle United's School of Excellence," continued Dave. "The coach at the time was John Carver, who is now at Leeds."
It was during his time with Toon that Adam joined Teesside Junior Football Alliance team Cleveland Juniors.
George Blake, brother of Middlesbrough-born Leeds striker Robbie, ran the team and was quick to sign the livewire winger.
Dave said: "Cleveland Juniors played Newcastle United Academy Under-9s and straight away they said they wanted to take Adam on."
"He was regularly the top scorer for Juniors, even though he played on the wing. He scored 36 goals in one season."
Adam's parents and his sister Faye, 14, have put in countless hours supporting him and are delighted to reap the rewards.
Asked to name her career highlight so far, Adam's mother Sonia said: "It was his first game for England against Belgium last year. It was unbelievable. To see him out there at Darlington watched by all his family and friends was wonderful. And he was man of the match which made it more special."
