He burst onto the scene with the winning goal when he made his debut as a substitute against Exeter in April, and this season John Turner has already netted once more and set up several goals for his team mates.

Those 'assists' included two for Dave Kitson at Cheltenham during his first senior start for the U's, and the 17-year-old has today signed his first professional contract, which takes him through to June 2006. [article]

Harrow-born John spent two years in his mother's home town of Newcastle between the ages of two and four, but they settled in Bedford when he was four and he has lived there ever since.

It was while playing for local Sunday league side Bedford Town that John was recommended for a trial at Aston Villa by one of the coaches, who was a scout for the Birmingham club, and they signed him at the age of nine.

"I stayed until under-15s but I started not enjoying my football there," he recalls. "I had GCSEs coming up so I was finding it hard to study for them, so I decided to leave Aston Villa and joined a local Sunday league side playing with some of my friends."

During his time at Villa he was moved to the right wing for two seasons, but returned to a striking role when he joined the Sunday league team - U.S. Valerio - and he has never looked back.

"We won leagues, cups, everything, and after we had a friendly against Cambridge they asked me to come for a couple of training sessions and I got signed about two years ago."

Admitting with a smile that he grew up supporting Manchester United - "probably like everyone does, because of players like Eric Cantona and Andre Kanchelskis" - and despite watching Aston Villa for six years when he was with them, John adds, "Newcastle's always been in my blood and I'd love to play for them when I'm older, so it's definitely Newcastle for me."

Asked about the people who have influenced his career so far, the lanky striker says, "There were a few at Villa, but Ricky Duncan here has been quite influential and he's pushed me all the way, and Gaffer and Brooksie have always stood by me when I've needed to talk to them.

"Gaffer has been very helpful, especially as he was a striker himself, so if I need any help or a chat about how I can improve my game he's always there to go to."

As a second year scholar, John lives in the club digs with the trainees and he says they have supported him and been pleased by his early success:

"I think they're all pretty pleased for me. We're all around the same age and there's always someone around the digs to have a good crack with.

"I found it difficult to settle in and I was very homesick for the first couple of months," he admits, "but you soon get into the swing of things and sometimes you don't even want to go home, you just want to stay and play football."

So far this season* John has featured in every league game and understandably he is pleased with the progress he has made since that one appearance in April (he missed the end of the season with an injury), when he made a goal scoring debut.

"I got my first start at the weekend, which I'm delighted with because I'm used to getting the odd ten or fifteen minutes at the end of games," he says, "but I got a start and I was very pleased with my performance, and hopefully I can build on that and play as often as possible.

"Chilli and Aggy are injured at the moment but they've done well this season and should be back soon, so hopefully I can keep pushing for a place. There are always people pushing for your place," he adds, "so I've just got to fight for it and see what I can do."

He explains that he regards himself as a goal provider as well as scorer: "I've always been a bit of both. I'd like to think of myself as quite unselfish; obviously if the goal's there to be scored I'll have a go but if other people are in better positions I'll pass it on to them.

"I'll have a shot from long or close range, but I don't get many with my head - usually it's my feet."

Away from football, John enjoys socialising with his team mates and catching up with his Mum at the weekend: "We all like shopping at my age and we're always looking for the new trends and the new fashions and buying clothes for the weekends.

"Obviously I don't see my Mum during the week so I do stuff with her and see my friends, I like going to the cinema, playing computer games - there's not a lot to do at the digs so we try to get out of there as much as possible and get some sunshine."

Although football has always been his main sport, John reveals that he also excelled in different sports when he was younger: "When I was at school I did a bit of athletics and went to the Nationals doing javelin and 800 metres, but now I'm not really into other sports that much. I like to play a bit of tennis and golf in my spare time, but it's always been football."

Concluding with his hopes for the rest of the season, he says, "Obviously I hope we can make the play-offs and possibly even go straight up. I think we've got the quality in the team to do it.

"Personally I'd like to play as many games as I can and hopefully get a pro contract too by the end of the season."

"The Quick Fire Round"

If you were on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' and had to phone a friend, which teammate would you choose?

Probably Warren Goodhind. He seems quite intellectual and seems to know what he's talking about.

Favourite holiday destination, and describe why in one word.

Tenerife. Women.

If you weren't a footballer, what would your job be now?

I'm only 17 so I'd probably still be at college studying something in sport.

Who do you go to for financial advice?

Definitely my Mum. She knows what she's talking about.

What will you be doing in ten years' time?

Hopefully I'll still be playing, and hopefully for someone in the Premiership. Newcastle would brilliant.

Who is your best mate in the squad?

Jonathan Heathcote. I room with him.

Who has the best dress sense in the squad?

Probably Kits.

And who has the worst?

Lloyd Opara's got some pretty lairy gear!

In a film of your life story who would you want to play you and why?

Jim Carrey, he's a funny man.

Porsche or Ferrari?

Ferrari.

Indian or Chinese?

Neither - fish and chips for me.

Beer or lager?

I'm too young to drink!

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers.

If you were given tickets for a gig, who would you want to see and why?

Lionel Richie. He's brilliant live.

Three words your teammates might use to describe you?

Young. Naive. I bite easily - and I know that's too many words!

*A shorter version of this interview appeared in the programme for the match against Mansfield Town on Saturday 27th September, 2003.

You can hear the full interview with John on our U's World multimedia website, which is currently available on a one week free trial. Click here for details about U's World.

Previous Featured Players this season:
21Nov03: Luke Guttridge
29Oct03:  Stuart Bimson
21Sep03: Warren Goodhind
21Aug03: Dave Kitson
13Aug03: Justin Walker

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