GILLINGHAM newcomer Tommy Johnson has been acclaimed as a crowd pleaser by one of his oldest friends.

Former Gillingham midfielder Mick Galloway, who was with Johnson at Notts County, is convinced the striker will be a smash hit with supporters and tipped him to make an instant impact.

Galloway, now with Carlisle, cleaned Johnson’s boots while he was a junior at Meadow Lane and the two have remained firm friends. “What a signing,” said Galloway. “He will excite the Gillingham supporters, make no mistake about that.

"I have no doubt that he will deliver goals in Division 1 and the other thing is that he will be popular in the dressing room because he's such a chirpy character.

“When I first knew him he was as white as a bottle of milk. Derek Pavis, the old Notts County chairman, would buy him steaks in an effort to try and fill him out a bit.

“Now he's solid and sturdy and defenders bounce off him. He's lightning quick and knows the way to goal. He can finish, boy can he finish.”