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Eddie Johnson (English footballer)
Encyclopedia
Edward William "Eddie" Johnson (born 20 September 1984) is an English
footballer who currently plays for Portland Timbers
in Major League Soccer
. He is a midfielder
but has also played as a striker and has represented his country at under-20
level.
Born in Chester
, Johnson began his career with Crewe Alexandra
and Manchester United
's academies. He had loan spells with Royal Antwerp, Coventry City
and Crewe Alexandra, before he was released by Manchester United in 2006 and joined Bradford City
, where he played 64 league games in two seasons. He was released from Bradford in 2008, and after initially turning down a move to Chester City
, he was given a trial at Crewe, which was unsuccessful, and instead he joined Chester where he spent six months before his contract was terminated to allow him to move to Austin Aztex. His form during two seasons in the United Soccer Leagues First Division won him a transfer to Portland Timbers at the end of the 2010 season.
, England, on 20 September 1984. He attended Boughton Heath Primary School and The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School in the city. Despite growing up as an Everton
supporter, Johnson started his football career at Crewe Alexandra
's academy at the age of 10. In 1999, he signed for Premier League-side Manchester United
as a junior player.
, and had his first involvement with the first team. He made his debut for United on 28 October 2003 against Leeds United
when he came on as a 112th-minute substitute in a 3–2 League Cup
victory at Elland Road
. His form also earned him a place in the England
team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
after scoring twice in a friendly game before the tournament. Johnson played in all three of England's games during the tournament in the United Arab Emirates
, but England picked up just one point and were eliminated in the group stage.
Johnson was loaned out to the Belgian
club Royal Antwerp
in January 2004 where he made 11 appearances, scoring five goals, including a 20-yard strike on his debut against Heusden-Zolder. In July 2004, he was sent on loan to Championship
-side Coventry City
for the 2004–05 season in order to gain first-team experience. He scored on his Coventry debut in a 2–0 victory against Sunderland
on 7 August 2004, before he scored a second later that month in a 4–1 defeat of Nottingham Forest
. Johnson did not score again until October, when he scored three times in four games, but they proved to be his last goals of the season. He finished his stay with Coventry with 26 appearances.
In July 2005, Johnson again moved on loan this time returning to Crewe Alexandra in a six-month deal. It took him eight games to score his first goal which came in a 1–1 draw with Plymouth Argyle
on 13 September 2005. Three more goals followed by the end of 2005 including one on Boxing Day against Hull City
, who then offered him a permanent deal. Hull and Manchester United agreed a fee for Johnson but he decided to extend his loan deal at Crewe until the end of the 2005–06 season. It was not until the last game of the season against Millwall
that he scored another to bring his tally to five from 22 games. Having failed to make an impact at Manchester United, Johnson was among seven United players given a free transfer at the end of the 2005–06 season. He was offered a contract at Crewe, but also attracted interest from Barnsley
and Bradford City
, the latter of whom he joined on a two-year deal in June 2006.
side Bradford City was marred by an ankle ligament injury in a pre-season friendly at Boston United
which was expected to keep him out of the first month of the season. He recovered to make his debut in City's 2006–07 season's opening game at Nottingham Forest
as a late substitute. Two weeks later he scored his first Bradford goals by netting twice against his former club Crewe in a 3–0 Bradford victory. Johnson struggled for goals at City, and had only scored another two by the time he was ruled out for a month after going off at half-time against Chesterfield
on 16 December 2006 with a shin injury. He returned to the City team after a six-game absence for a Friday night game with Tranmere Rovers
, which ended 1–1. He had a goal disallowed against Yeovil Town
a week later for offside, with his namesake Jermaine Johnson
being sent off for dissent. Following a poor run of form, City manager Colin Todd
was sacked, with his replacement David Wetherall
converting Johnson from a striker to a midfielder
after an injury to Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
. However, City were relegated after a defeat to Chesterfield with Johnson finishing the season with just four goals.
At the start of the 2007–08 season, new manager Stuart McCall
continued to employ Johnson in a midfield role, and he was rewarded with goals in back-to-back games and the club's player of the month in September. In November, he was ruled out for 11 weeks because of a back injury, before he was sidelined again when he gashed his shin in his comeback game against Wrexham on 26 January 2008. Johnson returned two weeks later as a second-half substitute against Bury
. He was used in his former striker's role later in the season, and scored his sixth league goal in a 1–0 victory over Morecambe
on 5 April 2008. Johnson scored again three days later in a 1–1 draw with Barnet
, as he tried to secure a new contract with Bradford. However, on 29 April 2008, Johnson was deemed to be surplus to requirements at Valley Parade and was released by manager Stuart McCall
along with 13 other Bradford players. McCall said releasing Johnson was one of the hardest decisions in his first year as manager, adding: "It went right down to the wire with Eddie. He's got terrific energy, a good engine and has enjoyed himself at this club." Johnson played a total of 71 games in all competitions for City, scoring eight goals.
side Chester City
, but two weeks later, he turned down the deal. Instead he returned to Crewe Alexandra on trial after he and his mother went to see coach Dario Gradi
, and scored twice in a 4–1 pre-season friendly victory over Quorn
on 16 July 2008. Despite spending the rest of the summer with Crewe, the club decided not to offer Johnson a full-time contract, because coach Steve Holland
felt he was not better than the club's other forwards.
Instead, Johnson was given another chance with Chester City, with whom he trained in the run up to the start of the 2008–09
season. He scored in a friendly against an Everton
reserve team, but despite the club wanting to sign Johnson, the transfer was put on hold because of the club's salary cap. Johnson had to wait a number of weeks to sign for Chester, after a deal to take Paul Rutherford
to Northwich Victoria
, freeing up money to pay Johnson, failed to go through before the 2008 summer transfer deadline closed. Johnson finally signed for Chester on 15 October, agreeing a two-year contract with his hometown club. His debut came three days later in a home game with Port Vale
, with Chester losing 2–1, when he had two opportunities to score and was substituted late in the second half. His first goal for Chester was a consolation goal in a 2–1 defeat to Morecambe
on 15 November. He missed four weeks out through injury, which coincided with the club's improvement in form under new manager Mark Wright, until he returned as a last-minute substitute against his former side Bradford City.
, who was caretaker manager during Johnson's loan spell at Coventry City. Johnson's contract was terminated by Chester City on the final day of the January transfer window to allow him to move to the Austin Aztex. His last game for Chester had been during December; he played just 11 times during his six months with Chester, scoring only once.
Johnson's move to Austin Aztex was finalised in March and completed their initial starting side, which included fellow English players Alex Tapp
and Gifton Noel-Williams
and Welshman Gareth Evans. Upon Johnson's transfer, team manager Adrian Heath said: "I think it's fair to say that Eddie has lost his way recently and I hope we can get him back on the right path to where he is again one of the bright young players in English football." Johnson played in the club's first game, which was a 2–0 friendly
defeat to Major League Soccer
's New England Revolution
and scored in another pre-season match. Johnson scored his first goal for Austin on 25 April against fellow expansion side the Cleveland City Stars
when he scored in the 13th minute of play. Johnson scored his second goal in the final minute of the match. In the 2009 season, Johnson played 22 league matches, scoring five goals making him the Aztex leading goalscorer, but he was forced to miss part of the season because of work permit
problems after he returned to England with Evans. Johnson also played in two of the Aztex's three US Open Cup matches, playing in the first round, scoring the second goal in a 2–0 win over Mississippi Brilla
and in Austin's 2–0 defeat to Houston Dynamo
in the third round. The Austin Chronicle named Johnson the city's best player. The newspaper's citation said: "he's been out there hustling every game and providing leadership and a steadying influence on and off the field. At 24, with a background that includes Manchester United and English national youth teams, he might not be with us much longer, but it's a treat while it lasts." He went on to win one of the club's player of the season awards.
During the close-season, Johnson sought a possible new club back in England, and before the start of the 2010 season in America, he was given a trial with Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders FC
joining them for their pre-season training camp. Having trained with Sounders, Johnson decided to stay with Austin Aztex and signed a new two-year contract. In the first game of the Aztex season, Johnson hit the goalpost with a 20-yard curling shot, but Lawrence Olum
scored with the rebound, helping the Aztex to a 2–0 victory against Montreal Impact
. During May, Johnson scored five goals, including two in a 3–3 draw with Tampa Bay and made two assists to help Austin record an unbeaten spell. He again scored two goals in a 2–1 Aztex victory over Miami
and helped take his team to the top of the table by being the club's leading goalscorer throughout the campaign. Heath also used him in his original position in attack, including as a sole striker in a defeat to Puerto Rico Islanders
. It was a result that saw the Aztex lose their top spot for the first time in three months. A week later, Johnson scored his tenth goal of the season to give his side their fourth win in five games by defeating Carolina RailHawks
3–2. The Aztex returned to the top of the table with a 2–0 victory against NSC Minnesota Stars
with Johnson scoring the opening goal of the game. Aztex qualified for the end-of-season play-offs where they faced Montreal Impact over two legs. Johnson scored one of Aztex's two goals in the second leg but their season finished with a 5–2 aggregate defeat. Johnson played a total of 28 games during the season, scoring 15 goals, and earned a place in the 2010 season best XI.
, a Major League Soccer
expansion side for the 2011 season. At the end of the 2010 league season, Johnson was announced as one of the Timbers first four signings, along with Steve Cronin
, Ryan Pore
and Bright Dike
. Because Portland had second draft pick behind fellow expansion side Vancouver Whitecaps, they announced they had previously signed Johnson, by taking him to their former USL side
before the transfer deadline on August 14 and loaning him back to the Aztex for the remainder of the 2010 season. He was listed on the Timbers' roster as a forward. Johnson was a late substitute for Jorge Perlaza
in the Timbers' first MLS home game and fourth in all, as they defeated Chicago Fire 4–2 on 15 April 2011.
}||0||37||4
|-
|2007–08
|32||4||1||0||1||0||0||0||34||4
|-
!Total
!64!!7!!4!!0!!2!!1!!1!!0!!71!!8
|-
|Chester City
|2008–09
|10||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||11||1
|-
|rowspan="3"|Austin Aztex
|2009
|22||5||2||1||||||||||24||6
|-
|2010
|26||14||1||0||||||2||1||29||15
|-
!Total
!48!!19!!3!!1!!!!!!2!!1!!53!!21
|-
!colspan="2"|Career total
!181!!42!!9!!1!!6!!1!!3!!1!!199!!45
|}
Individual
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who currently plays for Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. He is a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
but has also played as a striker and has represented his country at under-20
England national under-20 football team
- Round of 16 :-Friendlies:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup running from 29 July to the 20 August 2011.-Recent call-ups:...
level.
Born in Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
, Johnson began his career with Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
's academies. He had loan spells with Royal Antwerp, Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and Crewe Alexandra, before he was released by Manchester United in 2006 and joined Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, where he played 64 league games in two seasons. He was released from Bradford in 2008, and after initially turning down a move to Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, he was given a trial at Crewe, which was unsuccessful, and instead he joined Chester where he spent six months before his contract was terminated to allow him to move to Austin Aztex. His form during two seasons in the United Soccer Leagues First Division won him a transfer to Portland Timbers at the end of the 2010 season.
Early life
Johnson was born in ChesterChester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
, England, on 20 September 1984. He attended Boughton Heath Primary School and The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School in the city. Despite growing up as an Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
supporter, Johnson started his football career at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
's academy at the age of 10. In 1999, he signed for Premier League-side Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
as a junior player.
Manchester United
Johnson signed as a trainee at Manchester United in 2001. Two years later, he was part of their FA Youth Cup-winning team, scoring in the final against MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, and had his first involvement with the first team. He made his debut for United on 28 October 2003 against Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
when he came on as a 112th-minute substitute in a 3–2 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
victory at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
. His form also earned him a place in the England
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
after scoring twice in a friendly game before the tournament. Johnson played in all three of England's games during the tournament in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, but England picked up just one point and were eliminated in the group stage.
Johnson was loaned out to the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
club Royal Antwerp
Royal Antwerp F.C.
Royal Antwerp Football Club, often simply referred to as Antwerp, is a Belgian football club based in the city of Antwerp.Antwerp is the oldest football club to register to the Royal Belgian Football Association in 1895 and they consequently received the matriculate number one when matriculation...
in January 2004 where he made 11 appearances, scoring five goals, including a 20-yard strike on his debut against Heusden-Zolder. In July 2004, he was sent on loan to Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
-side Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
for the 2004–05 season in order to gain first-team experience. He scored on his Coventry debut in a 2–0 victory against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
on 7 August 2004, before he scored a second later that month in a 4–1 defeat of Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. Johnson did not score again until October, when he scored three times in four games, but they proved to be his last goals of the season. He finished his stay with Coventry with 26 appearances.
In July 2005, Johnson again moved on loan this time returning to Crewe Alexandra in a six-month deal. It took him eight games to score his first goal which came in a 1–1 draw with Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on 13 September 2005. Three more goals followed by the end of 2005 including one on Boxing Day against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, who then offered him a permanent deal. Hull and Manchester United agreed a fee for Johnson but he decided to extend his loan deal at Crewe until the end of the 2005–06 season. It was not until the last game of the season against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
that he scored another to bring his tally to five from 22 games. Having failed to make an impact at Manchester United, Johnson was among seven United players given a free transfer at the end of the 2005–06 season. He was offered a contract at Crewe, but also attracted interest from Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, the latter of whom he joined on a two-year deal in June 2006.
Bradford City
The start of Johnson's career at League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Bradford City was marred by an ankle ligament injury in a pre-season friendly at Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
which was expected to keep him out of the first month of the season. He recovered to make his debut in City's 2006–07 season's opening game at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
as a late substitute. Two weeks later he scored his first Bradford goals by netting twice against his former club Crewe in a 3–0 Bradford victory. Johnson struggled for goals at City, and had only scored another two by the time he was ruled out for a month after going off at half-time against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
on 16 December 2006 with a shin injury. He returned to the City team after a six-game absence for a Friday night game with Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, which ended 1–1. He had a goal disallowed against Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
a week later for offside, with his namesake Jermaine Johnson
Jermaine Johnson
Jermaine Johnson is a Jamaican professional footballer, who plays for Sheffield Wednesday. He started his career in his homeland with Tivoli Gardens, before coming to England, where he has also played for Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and Bradford City...
being sent off for dissent. Following a poor run of form, City manager Colin Todd
Colin Todd
Colin Todd is an English football manager and former player. As a player, he made more than 600 appearances in the Football League, playing for Sunderland, Derby County, Everton, Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest, Oxford United and Luton Town, and also played in the North American Soccer League...
was sacked, with his replacement David Wetherall
David Wetherall
David Wetherall is an English former footballer who played as a central defender, finishing his playing career with Bradford City at the end of the 2007–08 season. Born in Sheffield, he supported Sheffield Wednesday as a child, and started his playing career there...
converting Johnson from a striker to a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
after an injury to Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Darlington. He is a left-sided midfielder and also a winger, and is known for his goal-scoring ability....
. However, City were relegated after a defeat to Chesterfield with Johnson finishing the season with just four goals.
At the start of the 2007–08 season, new manager Stuart McCall
Stuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
continued to employ Johnson in a midfield role, and he was rewarded with goals in back-to-back games and the club's player of the month in September. In November, he was ruled out for 11 weeks because of a back injury, before he was sidelined again when he gashed his shin in his comeback game against Wrexham on 26 January 2008. Johnson returned two weeks later as a second-half substitute against Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
. He was used in his former striker's role later in the season, and scored his sixth league goal in a 1–0 victory over Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
on 5 April 2008. Johnson scored again three days later in a 1–1 draw with Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
, as he tried to secure a new contract with Bradford. However, on 29 April 2008, Johnson was deemed to be surplus to requirements at Valley Parade and was released by manager Stuart McCall
Stuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
along with 13 other Bradford players. McCall said releasing Johnson was one of the hardest decisions in his first year as manager, adding: "It went right down to the wire with Eddie. He's got terrific energy, a good engine and has enjoyed himself at this club." Johnson played a total of 71 games in all competitions for City, scoring eight goals.
Chester City
In June 2008, Johnson was offered a two-year contract by fellow League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, but two weeks later, he turned down the deal. Instead he returned to Crewe Alexandra on trial after he and his mother went to see coach Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi MBE is an Italian-born English football manager and former player, who was serving as manager of the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. He is a former manager of Crewe Alexandra, with whom he has been associated for almost thirty years.Gradi is notable for his 24-year first spell as manager...
, and scored twice in a 4–1 pre-season friendly victory over Quorn
Quorn F.C.
Quorn Football Club is an English football club based in the village of Quorn, near Loughborough, Leicestershire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South.-History:...
on 16 July 2008. Despite spending the rest of the summer with Crewe, the club decided not to offer Johnson a full-time contract, because coach Steve Holland
Steve Holland (football)
Steve Holland is an English football coach who is currently assistant first team coach at Chelsea. Holland managed Crewe Alexandra until November 2008, where he took over following Dario Gradi's decision to step down as manager in 2007....
felt he was not better than the club's other forwards.
Instead, Johnson was given another chance with Chester City, with whom he trained in the run up to the start of the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season. He scored in a friendly against an Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
reserve team, but despite the club wanting to sign Johnson, the transfer was put on hold because of the club's salary cap. Johnson had to wait a number of weeks to sign for Chester, after a deal to take Paul Rutherford
Paul Rutherford (footballer)
Paul Leslie Rutherford is an English footballer, currently playing as a winger for Barrow.-Career:Born in Moreton, Wirral, Rutherford was encouraged from an early age to play trombone by his father...
to Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
, freeing up money to pay Johnson, failed to go through before the 2008 summer transfer deadline closed. Johnson finally signed for Chester on 15 October, agreeing a two-year contract with his hometown club. His debut came three days later in a home game with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, with Chester losing 2–1, when he had two opportunities to score and was substituted late in the second half. His first goal for Chester was a consolation goal in a 2–1 defeat to Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
on 15 November. He missed four weeks out through injury, which coincided with the club's improvement in form under new manager Mark Wright, until he returned as a last-minute substitute against his former side Bradford City.
Austin Aztex
The following month, with Chester in financial hardship, Johnson was allowed to talk to United Soccer Leagues First Division side Austin Aztex, managed by Adrian HeathAdrian Heath
Adrian Paul Heath is an English football manager and former player. He manages American USL Pro Orlando franchise. As a player he is remembered as part of the Everton side of the 1980s, where he won several trophies...
, who was caretaker manager during Johnson's loan spell at Coventry City. Johnson's contract was terminated by Chester City on the final day of the January transfer window to allow him to move to the Austin Aztex. His last game for Chester had been during December; he played just 11 times during his six months with Chester, scoring only once.
Johnson's move to Austin Aztex was finalised in March and completed their initial starting side, which included fellow English players Alex Tapp
Alex Tapp
Alexander Nicholas "Alex" Tapp is an English football player. He is a midfielder, who has played in the English Football League for Wimbledon and their successor Milton Keynes Dons.-Wimbledon/Milton Keynes Dons:...
and Gifton Noel-Williams
Gifton Noel-Williams
Gifton Noel-Williams is an English footballer.-England:Noel-Williams started his professional career at Watford where he spent a seven year spell playing 127 games and scoring 43 goals. Aged 19, he was Watford's top goalscorer in the 1998–99 season, at the end of which they were promoted to the...
and Welshman Gareth Evans. Upon Johnson's transfer, team manager Adrian Heath said: "I think it's fair to say that Eddie has lost his way recently and I hope we can get him back on the right path to where he is again one of the bright young players in English football." Johnson played in the club's first game, which was a 2–0 friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
defeat to Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
and scored in another pre-season match. Johnson scored his first goal for Austin on 25 April against fellow expansion side the Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars was an American professional soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until 2009...
when he scored in the 13th minute of play. Johnson scored his second goal in the final minute of the match. In the 2009 season, Johnson played 22 league matches, scoring five goals making him the Aztex leading goalscorer, but he was forced to miss part of the season because of work permit
Work permit
Work permit is a generic term for a legal authorization which allows a person to take employment.It is most often used in reference to instances where a person is given permission to work in a country where one does not hold citizenship, but is also used in reference to minors, who in some...
problems after he returned to England with Evans. Johnson also played in two of the Aztex's three US Open Cup matches, playing in the first round, scoring the second goal in a 2–0 win over Mississippi Brilla
Mississippi Brilla
Mississippi Brilla is an American soccer club based in Jackson, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at...
and in Austin's 2–0 defeat to Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
in the third round. The Austin Chronicle named Johnson the city's best player. The newspaper's citation said: "he's been out there hustling every game and providing leadership and a steadying influence on and off the field. At 24, with a background that includes Manchester United and English national youth teams, he might not be with us much longer, but it's a treat while it lasts." He went on to win one of the club's player of the season awards.
During the close-season, Johnson sought a possible new club back in England, and before the start of the 2010 season in America, he was given a trial with Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
joining them for their pre-season training camp. Having trained with Sounders, Johnson decided to stay with Austin Aztex and signed a new two-year contract. In the first game of the Aztex season, Johnson hit the goalpost with a 20-yard curling shot, but Lawrence Olum
Lawrence Olum
Lawrence Olum is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer, as a midfielder.-College and amateur:...
scored with the rebound, helping the Aztex to a 2–0 victory against Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
. During May, Johnson scored five goals, including two in a 3–3 draw with Tampa Bay and made two assists to help Austin record an unbeaten spell. He again scored two goals in a 2–1 Aztex victory over Miami
Miami FC
Fort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
and helped take his team to the top of the table by being the club's leading goalscorer throughout the campaign. Heath also used him in his original position in attack, including as a sole striker in a defeat to Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. It was a result that saw the Aztex lose their top spot for the first time in three months. A week later, Johnson scored his tenth goal of the season to give his side their fourth win in five games by defeating Carolina RailHawks
Carolina RailHawks FC
Carolina RailHawks FC is an American professional soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
3–2. The Aztex returned to the top of the table with a 2–0 victory against NSC Minnesota Stars
NSC Minnesota Stars
The NSC Minnesota Stars is an American professional soccer team based in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area in Minnesota, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
with Johnson scoring the opening goal of the game. Aztex qualified for the end-of-season play-offs where they faced Montreal Impact over two legs. Johnson scored one of Aztex's two goals in the second leg but their season finished with a 5–2 aggregate defeat. Johnson played a total of 28 games during the season, scoring 15 goals, and earned a place in the 2010 season best XI.
Portland Timbers
Johnson's form for the Aztex attracted the attention of the Portland TimbersPortland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
, a Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
expansion side for the 2011 season. At the end of the 2010 league season, Johnson was announced as one of the Timbers first four signings, along with Steve Cronin
Steve Cronin
Steve Michael Cronin is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United of Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:Cronin played college soccer at Santa Clara University from 2001 to 2003...
, Ryan Pore
Ryan Pore
Ryan Pore is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-Youth and College:Pore attended Madison Comprehensive High School, and played college soccer at the University of Tulsa, where in 2004 he was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, twice named first team All-American, and the top...
and Bright Dike
Bright Dike
Chinedu "Bright" Dike is an American soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
. Because Portland had second draft pick behind fellow expansion side Vancouver Whitecaps, they announced they had previously signed Johnson, by taking him to their former USL side
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
before the transfer deadline on August 14 and loaning him back to the Aztex for the remainder of the 2010 season. He was listed on the Timbers' roster as a forward. Johnson was a late substitute for Jorge Perlaza
Jorge Perlaza
Jorge Isaacs Perlaza Aguiño is a Colombian footballer who currently plays for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.-Colombia:...
in the Timbers' first MLS home game and fourth in all, as they defeated Chicago Fire 4–2 on 15 April 2011.
Playing statistics
- Updated to 11 October 2010.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
2003–04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004–05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005–06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Royal Antwerp (loan) | 2003–04 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | |
| Coventry City Coventry City F.C. Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry... (loan) |
2004–05 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 5 |
| Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... (loan) |
2005–06 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 5 |
| Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
2006–07 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||
|-
|2007–08
|32||4||1||0||1||0||0||0||34||4
|-
!Total
!64!!7!!4!!0!!2!!1!!1!!0!!71!!8
|-
|Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
|2008–09
|10||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||11||1
|-
|rowspan="3"|Austin Aztex
|2009
|22||5||2||1||||||||||24||6
|-
|2010
2010 Austin Aztex season
The Austin Aztex began their second season as a professional team by playing 4 preseason exhibition matches. The first two games were held as a home-home series against Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo. They also played away games against the Laredo Heat and FC Dallas. Their lone home...
|26||14||1||0||||||2||1||29||15
|-
!Total
!48!!19!!3!!1!!!!!!2!!1!!53!!21
|-
!colspan="2"|Career total
!181!!42!!9!!1!!6!!1!!3!!1!!199!!45
|}
Honours
Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
- FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
: 2002–03
Individual
- USSF D-2 Pro LeagueUSSF Division 2 Professional LeagueUSSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League...
Best XI: 2010