Matty Johns’ eldest son signs U20s contract with Newcastle Knights

IT is the surname that conjures up so many wonderful memories for Newcastle fans and the latest Johns to join the Knights says he doesn’t feel any pressure at all.

Jack Johns, son of Matty Johns, has signed with the Newcastle Knights. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

IT is the surname that conjures up so many wonderful rugby league memories for Newcastle fans.

But ask Matt Johns’ eldest boy Jack about his favourite moment from his dad or uncle’s careers and he just about draws a blank.

“Outside of the footage, there’s not too many to be honest,” Jack, 19, said.

“I can remember going into the Knights dressing sheds when I was really young. The old brick tunnel leading into the sheds in the old grandstand. That really strong smell of dencorub.

“And going to Joey’s final few matches towards the end of his career when I was a bit older with Nan and Pop. But that’s about it.”

Jack was weeks away from being born when the Johns brothers played such integral roles in Newcastle’s first premiership in 1997 and too young to savour uncle Andrew’s Clive Churchill medal winning performance in the club’s 2001 triumph.

But despite the lack of memories and moving away from Newcastle with his family as a toddler, he has never stopped supporting the club.

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Jack Johns, son of Matty Johns, has signed with the Newcastle Knights. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

Now he has the chance to create some of his own memories.

Following a recommendation from his coaches Craig Gower and Scott Pethybridge at Sydney Shield club Peninsula Seagulls, the Knights have signed the five-eighth/fullback to their Holden Cup Under 20s squad for 2017.

For Jack, who couldn’t quite crack it in the Manly junior system because of injury, it’s an opportunity he wants to grab with both hands.

“I have supported the club my entire life but never expected to be playing here myself one day,” he said. “It’s pretty surreal. Awesome to be honest.”

Jack, who is studying sports management, said the pressure of carrying such a famous surname in a place like Newcastle doesn’t faze him.

Andrew (L) and Matthew celebrate 1999. Picture: Robert McKell

“I don’t feel any added pressure to be honest,” he said.

“I know the history and how important the part Dad and Joey played for the club but at the end of the day, I play because I really enjoy it.

“I play for the respect of the blokes around me and the mateship. Some of the most loyal mates you can find are in footy and that’s one of the real attractions of playing for me.

“I’ll do my best but if it doesn’t work out, I’ll do something else. One of lessons dad really taught my brother Cooper and I is that rugby league is not the be all and end all.”

Matt and mother Trish could not be more proud.

But if the truth be known, Matt did his best to steer Jack away from a rugby league career when he was younger.

Matty Johns with wife Trish and son Jack in 1998.

“Dad never wanted me to play footy ever. He’s always wanted me to do something else,” Jack said.

“He put just about every other sporting instrument in my hand as I was growing up but it didn’t work.”

Matt said his son has “always been his own boy”.

“As far as footy’s concerned, I resist the temptation to give him advice because I’ve always had the belief that he’s needed a dad, not a coach,” Matt said.

“He goes to the Knights with no expectations. He’s gone up there with absolutely no sense of entitlement that he should get a fair go.

“He’s just excited about being given the chance to play for the club that he’s always supported and Trish and I are just excited for him.”

Originally published as Matty Johns’ eldest son signs U20s contract with Newcastle Knights