Adam's Change Of Heart

Adam Newton has finally hung up his athletics spikes to declare: "I WILL make it in football."

Adam, who earlier this week indicated that he would wait until the end of the season to decide his future, has had a change of heart.

He has decided to sign for Peterborough United after being impressed by what Barry Fry told him - and that has ended any thoughts of making a living round the track rather than on the pitch.

"Having spoken to the gaffer I thought the time was right to go and play elsewhere," he admits.

But he could so easily have turned to running as a career option if things hadn't worked out this summer.

A talented 100m and 200m runner, he reveals: "When I was a schoolboy I used to do pretty well in all the top competitions and think I could have easily plied my trade as an athlete.

"But my number one priority has always been to be a footballer.

"I do train at my local athletics club during the summer to keep my fitness up, and if I had had to give up football I would do it as a job."

As it is, Windsor, Slough, and Eton's loss will be Peterborough United's gain, after he turned down Leyton Orient, with whom he spent the last couple of months of the season on loan.

There were rumours about a move to Reading, but he says: "I'm not too sure about Reading. They didn't follow anything up, but when I was at Leyton Orient a few names were touted around.

"Only Peterborough and Leyton Orient made concrete offers as far as I know, and I have made up my mind now.

"I was quite impressed with Barry Fry and I am looking forward to working with him."

Adam received advice from Tommy Williams, who left to go to Posh last summer and then moved on to Birmingham City - with West Ham getting some of the fee due to a sell-on clause.

"I spoke to Tommy Williams beforehand. He spent a season there and said it did him the world of good, so I am looking to emulate what he has done and move on to bigger and better things."

Another ex-Hammer, Jimmy Bullard, is also there after moving on last season.

But Adam admits that leaving Upton Park will be a wrench and adds: "West Ham is the club I supported. I have enjoyed being a professional here for three years along with two years at YTS level and I just want to make a career out of the game now.

"West Ham is a great place to learn the basics of football - it is well known for encouraging and nurturing youth, and I think I have learnt a lot from the coaches I have had around me.

"I have enjoyed my time there."