Johnson can be an inspiration for Dons academy players

Lewis Johnson may only be 17-years-old, but his achievements this season make him a role model for the next batch of youngsters at MK Dons.

The teenager made his first-team debut this season, racking up nine appearances, two of which have been starts, capping it off with the LFE Apprentice of the Year for League One award.

Not only impressing on the pitch, Johnson picked up some excellent grades in his GCSEs last summer - a factor in his award and something which has impressed manager Russell Martin who believes he will play a big part in inspiring players in the academy to strive for similar achievements.

"It's a real accolade when you consider how many people he was up against," said Martin. "It's a fantastic achievement, we're really proud of him as he should be of himself as well. It's important because he's a first year scholar, he's made some appearances this year and has probably surprised people with how much he has been involved in the first team.

"He has trained with us pretty much throughout and he has been a credit to himself.

"But it's about education as well, and how he behaves with his peers. He's a role model for the younger guys and how well-mannered he is, how he talks and deals with the staff - all of it comes into it.

"He should enjoy it and use it to push him on to get a taste of more first team football, and to try to prove to everyone he's a worthy winner, and set standards for the young lads in and around him."

“It’s a great feeling to win this award,” Johnson told mkdons.com. “I’ve worked hard this season but this award is also testament to how hard everyone around me has worked, to help put me in this position.

“I must thank my family, first and foremost, along with my agent, Harry Hickford. I’d also like to thank Jon Goodman for guiding me along the right path as well as Jackie Bushell (MK Dons Academy Head of Education) for making sure I stayed on top of my schoolwork and performed to the best of my ability.

“I would like to thank my teammates, too, for supporting me and putting me in the best position to succeed, and, of course, Russell Martin for giving me an opportunity to succeed, learn and grow in the first-team environment.

“I will continue to work hard to try and build on this season, as I try and cement my place in the first-team squad.”