Nottingham Forest Women in ‘ruthless’ pursuit of success, says Mel Johnson

Johnson was among a number of statement signings made by Forest last summer when the club announced that it was moving towards full-time professionalism.

It was only two years ago that the 33-year-old claimed the Golden Boot as top scorer in the Championship with Charlton Athletic, having previously helped Aston Villa to the second-tier title and promotion to the Women’s Super League.

She dropped a division this season to join Forest – where she is again working under former Villa manager Carly Davies – and is one of four Reds players to already hit double figures for goals.

“It’s been incredible and really special to be a part of,” Johnson said.

“With the quality that the club has brought in this season, it’s proven. We are doing our jobs and it’s working really well at the minute.”

With 14 goals, Johnson is Forest’s second highest scorer with one less than Charlie Wellings.

Neither of Forest’s top scorers were even aware of their personal tallies before being told the figures during their interview with BBC East Midlands Today.

“I won the Golden Boot in the Championship with the goals I’m on now and I have targets that I want to hit, but I’ll keep them close,” Johnson said.

“It’s my first time playing in this league and anything above 20 would be great.”

Like Johnson, Wellings nonchalantly talks around her impressive goal haul saying she “doesn’t take too much notice”.

“It’s due to everyone, all the girls putting a shift in every single day,” Wellings said.

“It makes my life easy when they are putting things on a plate for me. I love it.”

Like Johnson, Wellings has made her career playing in higher divisions – having started in the WSL with Birmingham City before moving on to Bristol City, then Celtic in Scotland where she experienced Champions League football.

Her arrival at Forest came after her time at Reading came to an abrupt ending following the club’s financial collapse last summer.

“It was a no-brainer to come here,” Wellings said.

“Taking the step down didn’t mean anything because of what the club wants to achieve.

“The main aim is to get promoted – that is what we set out to achieve at the start of the season, and as long as we do that I couldn’t care how many I score.”