Allardyce: Adam Johnson guilty pleas came as a 'massive shock'

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce says he was told that Adam Johnson would plead not guilty to all charges at his court case.

Allardyce told the media the two guilty pleas came as a "massive shock" to everyone at the club.

Johnson was convicted of one count of grooming and two of sexual activity at Bradford Crown Court.

The former England international pleaded guilty to a charge of grooming and one of sexual activity with a child, something the club were not expecting.

"All I knew was he was pleading not guilty on all charges," said Allardyce.

"It was a massive shock and the club has obviously given out a statement [about the change of plea and the club’s knowledge of it].

“My position was just what I'd heard from Adam, but him changing his plea was a shock while with the end verdict you can have nothing but sympathy for the victim.

"Justice has been done, he's let everybody down."