IT took David Johnson six years and three clubs to play in the Premiership -- only to drop back down to the First Division within months.

The 24-year-old striker was snapped up by Nottingham Forest boss David Platt a month ago for £3m from Premiership high-flyers Ipswich.

Despite 22 goals last season which helped George Burley's side into the top flight, 'Johnno' fell out of favour, third choice behind Marcus Stewart and Jamie Scowcroft.

Refusing to be despondent, the pint-sized forward described it as a 'dream move' to join the City Ground's staff -- and aims to repeat the promotion celebrations this season.

"I want to score a few goals to help Nottingham Forest win promotion," he said.

"I could have stayed at Ipswich but I desperately wanted first team football which is something I hadn't had."

Johnson has yet to get on the scoresheet in two games for his new club -- but goals are sure to follow, which is why Platt snapped him up.

"David played 148 games for Ipswich in three years which tells me his appearance record is good," said the Forest boss. "He has scored 62 goals in that time. He is a goalscorer of proven calibre."

But Manchester United didn't think so when they parted company with Johnson in 1995, shipping him off on a free transfer just down the road to Third Division Bury.

Johnson -- born in Jamaica but embroiled in controversy last year when he said he wanted to play for Wales, then Scotland -- was signed by then Shakers manager Mike Walsh.

Stan Ternent took over the reins at Gigg Lane and he got them promoted in his first season in charge -- Johnno scoring five goals but setting up many more as he quickly became a cult figure.

The next season bred more success -- and even a peculiar sending off for over-celebrating the winning goal at Peterbrough United in September 1996!

Johnson scored eight goals as Bury were crowned Second Division champions and promoted for a second successive season.

Johnson's career was on the up and his last goal for the Shakers was ironically in the 2-0 win over eventual champions Forest in October 1997 -- his eighth goal that season.

He was linked with various clubs before being sold to Ipswich for £1.5m. He moved his family, wife Alison and daughter Maddison, from Greater Manchester to Suffolk.

He spent three-and-a-half years at Portman Road, suffering play-off heartbreak an agonising three times before eventually winning promotion last season.

But despite his goalscoring record for Ipswich he slipped down the pecking order and, ever ambitious, he found it was time to move on.

Forest's board found the £3m -- and cash-strapped Bury benefited to the tune of £300,000 because of a sell-on clause.

"It was a great move for me," said Johnson. The transfer fee doesn't bother me in the slightest. That was Ipswich's decision."

Unfortunately his first taste of football at Forest wasn't quite what he had in mind -- a 3-0 defeat on Sky by Crystal Palace, followed by a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield.

He'll be hoping it is third time lucky against Blackburn -- as he bids to get those goals which will get him back into the Premiership.