.gif)
Harry Johnston (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Henry "Harry" Johnston was an English
footballer. He was the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in 1951. He spent his entire professional playing career with Blackpool
, with whom he appeared in three FA Cup Final
s. During his career, he appeared in all three half-back
positions, and even moved up to centre forward when needed.
-born Johnston as a 15-year-old apprentice. Three years later, on 20 November 1937, he made his debut in a 2–0 defeat to arch-rivals Preston North End
at Deepdale
. Despite the result, Johnston was named Man of the Match. For the final game of the season, at home to West Bromwich Albion
, he was moved to the forward line. He responded by scoring Blackpool's third goal in their 3–1 victory. By the following season, he was a regular in the Seasiders' team.
After the war
, during which he served in the Middle East
, Johnston became the foundation on which the Blackpool team was built. As captain, he led them to FA Cup Final appearances in 1948
, 1951
, and the most famous final of all in 1953, when he became the first and, thus far, only Blackpool skipper to lift the trophy
. He made 40 appearances and scored three goals in the competition in his career.
In 1951, Johnston was voted Footballer of the Year. He was the subject of bids from other big clubs, but he always remained a one-club player.
He played his last game on 25 April 1955, at Newcastle United
. At that point he had made more appearances for Blackpool than any other player; a record later broken by Jimmy Armfield
.
, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield
in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Johnston is in the 1950s.
in a seven-year span. His appearances were limited due to the consistent performances of Billy Wright.
Johnston made his England debut on 27 November 1946, in an 8–2 friendly victory over the Netherlands
at Leeds Road
. His tenth and final international appearance occurred on 25 November 1953, in a 6–3 defeat to Hungary
at Wembley.
, with whom he spent seven seasons. He returned to Bloomfield Road in 1967 as assistant manager to Stan Mortensen
. In February 1970, he became assistant secretary, a role that meant he was in charge of the ticket office and editing the club's programme.
When he died, in his hometown of Manchester in 1973 at the age of only 54, "the whole town of Blackpool
mourned, for Harry Johnston was one of the greatest players ever to wear the tangerine shirt."
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. He was the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in 1951. He spent his entire professional playing career with Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, with whom he appeared in three FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
s. During his career, he appeared in all three half-back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
positions, and even moved up to centre forward when needed.
Club career
Blackpool signed ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
-born Johnston as a 15-year-old apprentice. Three years later, on 20 November 1937, he made his debut in a 2–0 defeat to arch-rivals Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
at Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
. Despite the result, Johnston was named Man of the Match. For the final game of the season, at home to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, he was moved to the forward line. He responded by scoring Blackpool's third goal in their 3–1 victory. By the following season, he was a regular in the Seasiders
After the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which he served in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, Johnston became the foundation on which the Blackpool team was built. As captain, he led them to FA Cup Final appearances in 1948
1948 FA Cup Final
The 1948 FA Cup Final was contested by Manchester United and Blackpool at Wembley Stadium on 24 April 1948. United, who had not appeared in an FA Cup Final for 39 years, won 4–2, with two goals from Jack Rowley and one apiece from Stan Pearson and John Anderson. Eddie Shimwell and Stan Mortensen...
, 1951
1951 FA Cup Final
The 1951 FA Cup Final was contested by Newcastle United and Blackpool at Wembley on 28 April 1951. Newcastle won 2–0, with both goals scored by Jackie Milburn....
, and the most famous final of all in 1953, when he became the first and, thus far, only Blackpool skipper to lift the trophy
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. He made 40 appearances and scored three goals in the competition in his career.
In 1951, Johnston was voted Footballer of the Year. He was the subject of bids from other big clubs, but he always remained a one-club player.
He played his last game on 25 April 1955, at Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. At that point he had made more appearances for Blackpool than any other player; a record later broken by Jimmy Armfield
Jimmy Armfield
James Christopher "Jimmy" Armfield, CBE, DL is an English former professional football player and manager who currently works as a football pundit for BBC Radio Five Live. He played the whole of his Football League career at Blackpool, usually at right back...
.
Blackpool F.C. Hall of Fame
Johnston was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield RoadBloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield
Jimmy Armfield
James Christopher "Jimmy" Armfield, CBE, DL is an English former professional football player and manager who currently works as a football pundit for BBC Radio Five Live. He played the whole of his Football League career at Blackpool, usually at right back...
in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Johnston is in the 1950s.
International career
For a man of his stature, his international career was very short, with only ten appearances for EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in a seven-year span. His appearances were limited due to the consistent performances of Billy Wright.
Johnston made his England debut on 27 November 1946, in an 8–2 friendly victory over the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
at Leeds Road
Leeds Road
Leeds Road may refer to:* Leeds Road, former football and rugby league stadium in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England* A660 road, West Yorkshire, England, between Golden Acre Park and the Otley bypass...
. His tenth and final international appearance occurred on 25 November 1953, in a 6–3 defeat to Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
at Wembley.
Post-retirement
In late 1955 Johnston became manager of ReadingReading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, with whom he spent seven seasons. He returned to Bloomfield Road in 1967 as assistant manager to Stan Mortensen
Stan Mortensen
Stanley Harding "Stan" Mortensen was an English professional footballer, most famous for his part in the 1953 FA Cup Final , in which he became the only player ever to score a hat-trick in a Wembley FA Cup Final...
. In February 1970, he became assistant secretary, a role that meant he was in charge of the ticket office and editing the club's programme.
When he died, in his hometown of Manchester in 1973 at the age of only 54, "the whole town of Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
mourned, for Harry Johnston was one of the greatest players ever to wear the tangerine shirt."
Honours
Blackpool- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
winner: 1952–53 - Lancashire FA CupLancashire Senior CupThe Lancashire County Football Association Cup , is a football knockout tournament involving teams from Lancashire, England and surrounding areas. It is a County Cup competition of the Lancashire County Football Association and involves Premier League clubs and Football League clubs...
winner: 1953–541953-54 in English footballThe 1953–54 season was the 74th season of competitive football in England.-National team:The Marvellous Magyars shocked football by defeating England 6–3 at Wembley Stadium.-Honours:...