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Disgraced ex-England footballer Adam Johnson is facing a frosty reception at his local golf club, where his presence has reportedly made some members feel "uneasy." The 38-year-old was found guilty in 2016 of sexual activity with a 15-year-old and child grooming, receiving a six-year prison sentence.

He was freed in 2019 after completing half of that term. Yet, even with his continued attempts to keep a low profile in quiet countryside surroundings, the former Manchester City, Sunderland and Middlesbrough player has discovered that his past continues to cast a long shadow over his life. The Daily Mail reports that a booklet called 'Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy and Procedure' has been clearly displayed on a noticeboard in the men's locker room at Johnson's golf club.

Following his release from prison in 2019, Johnson has tried to piece his life back together. He has renewed his relationship with glamour model and the mother of his children, Stacey Flounders, who had ended things during his 2016 trial.

She had first stood by the footballer but ultimately left him as details of his offences emerged in deeply embarrassing detail. However, according to family members, Stacey later decided to reunite with Adam in order to give their daughter, born in 2015, a stable home with both parents. In 2021, she welcomed their second child, a son.

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"He has been back with Stacey for a while now and they concentrate on their children. He keeps himself busy and has a lot of friends," Johnson's aunt, Irene Walsh, told the Daily Mail. "He likes his golf and being with his family, and he has a close family around him."

A childhood friend of Stacey's said: "Stacey knows her own mind and grew up in a very close family and, if anything persuaded her to give him another chance, it will have been to give their children a stable upbringing.

"After he was released it didn't look as though they were going to get back together, but the pandemic struck a year after he got out and that gradually changed things. He was anxious to make up for lost time with his daughter, having missed the early part of her life in jail.

"He's a committed dad and that's why they were able to try again. They now have a second child and they are very much a happy family."

Once earning £80,000 per week at Manchester City and living in an opulent £4million property formerly owned by Cristiano Ronaldo, Johnson now lives with Stacey and their two children in a more modest £470,000 house in the North-East.

Although his fall from grace ended his football career, an unnamed relative says he saved enough during his playing years to stay financially comfortable. "He put away enough money during his playing career that they can live a very good lifestyle without worrying," they said. "They have a nice life, the children won't want for anything."

Today, Johnson spends much of his time with family and close friends, playing golf and visiting countryside pubs - intentionally avoiding crowded town centres and bars to steer clear of negative attention.

Locals describe him as a "Mr Average type," with one commenting: "I have seen him a few times round here since then, mainly with his family and he seems a regular guy."