Jeff Johnson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey David Johnson (born 26 November 1953 in Cardiff
) is a Welsh
former professional footballer. In addition to his club career- playing over 400 games in the Football League
, he also represented his country at youth and under-23 level.
in 1970. Unable to win a spot in the first team, but encouraged by his success at Swansea City
he transferred to Crystal Palace
in 1973. He played close to 100 games in his three years at Palace before joining Sheffield Wednesday
in 1976. He stayed with the Owls for five years, playing almost 200 games before his 1981 move to Newport County
. The following year he moved on to Gillingham
, where he was also a key first team player. He joined Port Vale
in June 1985, making his debut on 17 August 1985 in a 1-0 defeat at Exeter City
. He suffered a massive setback in October 1985 when he broke
his foot
. Unable to regain his first team spot with the Valiants he was given a free transfer in May 1986 to non-league Barrow
.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
) is a Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
former professional footballer. In addition to his club career- playing over 400 games in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, he also represented his country at youth and under-23 level.
Playing career
Johnson started his professional career with Manchester CityManchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
in 1970. Unable to win a spot in the first team, but encouraged by his success at Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
he transferred to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in 1973. He played close to 100 games in his three years at Palace before joining Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
in 1976. He stayed with the Owls for five years, playing almost 200 games before his 1981 move to Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. The following year he moved on to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, where he was also a key first team player. He joined 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...
in June 1985, making his debut on 17 August 1985 in a 1-0 defeat at Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
. He suffered a massive setback in October 1985 when he broke
Bone fracture
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone...
his foot
Foot
The foot is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws...
. Unable to regain his first team spot with the Valiants he was given a free transfer in May 1986 to non-league Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
.