Sunderland striker's career faces a decline

The career of Sunderland FC striker, Adam Johnson is in ruins after being convicted of one count of sexual activity with a child and admitted another.

Things weren't always this shabby for the striker. A year ago, he was playing for his boyhood club, and his girlfriend, Stacy Flounders had given birth to his first child.

His blossoming life made for the ground when he encountered a school girl fan, who he engaged in activities not worthy of a novelty with.

READ: Girlfriend of former Sunderland forward absence from court

BBC Newcastle's Sunderland commentator, Nick Barnes said "He had the world at his feet only to contemptuously spurn the gifts afforded him in such a cavalier and luridly sordid manner,"

Though initially suspended when the story first emerged, he was later reinstated back to the team, where he helped his club stay in the Premier League when they were at the risk of relegation.

Flounders also showed her support by posting pictures of her and their daughter on social media. She was also seen holding hands with him when he was to appear at the Magistrate Court.

That is not the case anymore as he admitted one count of grooming and one of sexual activity with a child, but denied two further charges.

His world fell on him with the magnitude of his great fortunes he had amassed for himself.

His club, Sunderland FC immediately sacked him and Adidas ended its contract with him.

Johnson's relationship with his girlfriend and mother of his child went sore after admitting to a judge that he had been unfaithful to her.

On the football side of things, Nick Barnes said Johnson was "too valuable a playing asset" and could have played a "significant role in helping the club steer themselves away from relegation" this season.

"My personal view is that he should have been suspended on full pay, as I believe the club owed Johnson and the rest of the playing and backroom staff a duty of care; firstly in not exposing Johnson to taunts and chants from opposing fans labelling him a paedophile, and secondly in not placing his colleagues and staff in a position of having to be embarrassed by his situation, which in retrospect they could argue was unacceptable bearing in mind his guilty plea.

"The club also left itself open to accusations of being blind to the seriousness of the charges brought against him.

"I don't accept the argument that suspending him is an indication of guilt. By definition electing to go to trial means there is a doubt over the outcome so therefore the club should have taken the stance 'if in doubt leave him out'," Barnes said.

The footballer is now a tragic example of a bright career gone dim.