'More Michael Phelps!' West Brom hero Andy Johnson and team to kayak English Channel for Albion Foundation

Former star Andy Johnson insists it is a “privilege” to tackle huge challenges in support of the Albion Foundation as he prepares to kayak the English Channel with partner Kelly.

The ex-Baggies midfielder is no stranger to testing himself in aid of the club’s charity arm.

And the duo will be part of a team of half-a-dozen Foundation staff and volunteers bidding to cross 21 miles from Dungeness, on the English coast, to Boulogne in northern France on Monday, July 27.

All proceeds raised will go towards the Albion Foundation as the couple look to raise £3,000 each.

The idea began between Johnson and deputy Foundation director Jonathan Ward last year and training has been strenuous throughout 2026, as popular club co-commentator Johnson admitted he started from a level of being unable to stay afloat.

"When we first started I was falling in and they kept calling me Michael Phelps,” Johnson smiled.

The pair have the hang of it now and recently completed a training week featuring three different routes, kayaking more than 30 miles in total.

He added: "We did 14 miles on the Sunday, six miles on Wednesday and 14 miles on Sunday again, we've been smashing it.

"It's alright! You ache when you do it - in the first one I could hardly move, but gets easier every time you do a bit.

"Out on the water, the wildlife you see, it's unbelievable. We're hooked! We're upgrading the kayak and we're doing it.”

The couple have graduated to a two-person kayak and training has taken them between Ross-on-Wye to Symonds Yat, Bridgnorth to Bewdley and between Twyning in Tewksbury and Pershore.

The mission proper comes late next month when the team hope for bright conditions to brave the challenge for charity.

They will be joined by a support and medical boat, which fundraising has generously covered.

The route will briefly take the team on to the support boat as French authorities have denied passage through their shipping lane.

Johnson, a two-time Albion promotion winner and close associate of the club, added: "I am relatively confident, we've done 14 miles and it's hard, it was hard going, but another seven miles on top of that.

"I think the adrenaline and everything about the occasion will get you there. When you see land the other side it'll be the inspiration we need to finish it.”

"We love it - it's part of the football club and a great part of the football club,” Johnson said.

"It does great work in and around the community and far wider. It's a privilege to be part of it.

"It's a little bit of that (former competitor), a little bit of the crazy side of you as well.

"Kelly agreed to it thinking it was never going to happen and then she realised we're doing it!

"We want to complete the challenge. We don't want to get out the boat.”

Johnson’s Tremlett & Turner interior specialist firm this year became a patron of the Albion Foundation.

In March Johnson ‘braved the shave’ for Albion’s Foundation Day fixture and teamed up with Barber Boss to shave his flowing locks in support of the charity’s Cancer Kickers.

In May 2024 the former Wales international took on the gruelling 120-mile walking challenge from Wembley Stadium in London to Albion’s Hawthorns home to raise awareness and funds for the Foundation’s disability sports and blind football programmes.

Also part of the kayak team for the Channel challenge are Foundation sports therapist Oliver Billington, founder of the club’s IT partner CSCM Jude Thompson and lifelong supporter Dave Langran, who is also a Foundation patron.

To support the team with any donation, visit https://albionfoundation.enthuse.com/cf/the-albion-foundation-kayak-the-english-channel