Johnny Johnston (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John "Johnny" Johnston is a Northern Irish
former professional footballer who played as a midfielder
in both Northern Ireland and England.
, Johnston began his career in his native Northern Ireland with Glentoran
, before making the move to England to play in the Football League
with Blackpool
, for whom he made 26 League appearances. He made his debut for Stan Mortensen
's men midway through the 1968–69 season, in a single-goal defeat at Portsmouth
on 14 December. He made a further seven appearances before the end of the season, scoring once — a penalty in a 2–1 victory at Crystal Palace
on 25 January. He also made two starts during the club's run to the fifth round of the League Cup
. He made two League appearances in the following campaign, under new manager Les Shannon
, scoring the only goal of the game in the second of these appearances, at home to Oxford United
on 22 November. This went part way to helping the Seasiders win promotion to Division One after securing second place at the end of the season. He made thirteen League appearances in 1970–71 as the club returned whence they had come twelve months earlier, after finishing bottom of the table. In 1971–72, during which he was loaned out to Halifax Town
, Johnston made three substitute appearances, the last of these in a 4–2 victory over Burnley
at Bloomfield Road
on 1 April.
In 1972–73 he joined Bradford City
, with whom he spent two years, before signing for Southport
. After another two years with the Sandgrounders, he returned to Halifax Town, this time on a permanent basis. He made 73 Football League appearances for Southport in his three years with the club, taking his total number of League appearances to 244.
Johnston later played non-League football with Fleetwood Town
.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
former professional footballer who played as 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...
in both Northern Ireland and England.
Career
Born in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Johnston began his career in his native Northern Ireland with Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
, before making the move to England to play 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...
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...
, for whom he made 26 League appearances. He made his debut for 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...
's men midway through the 1968–69 season, in a single-goal defeat at Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on 14 December. He made a further seven appearances before the end of the season, scoring once — a penalty in a 2–1 victory at 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...
on 25 January. He also made two starts during the club's run to the fifth round of the 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...
. He made two League appearances in the following campaign, under new manager Les Shannon
Les Shannon
Leslie "Les" Shannon was an English football player and manager.-Playing career:Shannon was born in Liverpool; a centre-forward, he started his playing career with his hometown club of Liverpool in November 1944...
, scoring the only goal of the game in the second of these appearances, at home to Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
on 22 November. This went part way to helping the Seasiders win promotion to Division One after securing second place at the end of the season. He made thirteen League appearances in 1970–71 as the club returned whence they had come twelve months earlier, after finishing bottom of the table. In 1971–72, during which he was loaned out to Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
, Johnston made three substitute appearances, the last of these in a 4–2 victory over Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield 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...
on 1 April.
In 1972–73 he 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....
, with whom he spent two years, before signing for Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
. After another two years with the Sandgrounders, he returned to Halifax Town, this time on a permanent basis. He made 73 Football League appearances for Southport in his three years with the club, taking his total number of League appearances to 244.
Johnston later played non-League football with Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town F.C.
Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...
.