John Johnson (footballer)

John James Johnson (born 16 September 1988) is an English footballer who plays as a defender. A graduate of the Middlesbrough youth academy, he made his debut for the club against Chelsea. A lack of first team opportunities saw him being loaned to Football League clubs Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town.

Not to be confused with John Johnson (safety).

John Johnson
Johnson warming up for Northampton Town in 2013
Personal information
Full name John James Johnson[1]
Date of birth (1988-09-16) 16 September 1988[1]
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
2005–2008 Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Middlesbrough 1 (0)
2008 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) 4 (0)
2009–2010 → Northampton Town (loan) 36 (5)
2010–2013 Northampton Town 103 (8)
2013–2018 Bengaluru FC 86 (4)
2018–2020 ATK 18 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 February 2020 (UTC)

After playing for a season on loan, Northampton signed Johnson on a permanent basis. He was also given club captainship but was replaced in the role after the arrival of Clarke Carlisle. In the 2012–13 season, his appearances for the club were hindered due to a cartilage injury. Johnson then signed for debutant Bengaluru FC in the I-League in India, managed by his former Northampton Town teammate Ashley Westwood. Johnson, along with Kenyan Curtis Osano, became the first foreigners to play for the club. Despite being an English player, he has spent the majority of his professional career playing for Indian clubs such as Bengaluru FC and ATK, in the I-League and Indian Super League.

Career

Middlesbrough
Johnson playing for Middlesbrough in 2008

Born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, Johnson is a product of the Middlesbrough academy which he joined in 2005.[1][2] He signed a professional contract with Middlesbrough on 15 May 2008 and made his first team debut (and only appearance for the club) on 18 October 2008 in a 5–0 home defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League, coming on as a substitute for Jonathan Grounds in the 54th minute.[1][3][4] Later, in an interview in May 2015, Johnson said that his debut had been the "most inspirational moment" of his life.[5] In November 2008, he made a loan move to League One side Tranmere Rovers until the end of the year.[6] He made his debut in a 2–1 victory against Leeds United the following week,[7] but scored an own goal in Tranmere's Football League Trophy northern area semi-final against Scunthorpe United, which gave Scunthorpe a 2–1 victory.[8] He played five games, four in the league, during his loan spell with Tranmere.[9]

Northampton Town

Johnson joined League Two club Northampton Town on a one-month loan in September 2009.[10] He made his debut for the club in a 3–0 loss against Shrewsbury Town and on 3 October 2009, scored the first goal of his professional career, in a 2–2 draw against Bradford City.[11] Having played four games, Johnson said he hoped to help the club back to winning ways.[12] On 22 October 2009, he extended his stay at Northampton until the new year,[13] and scored his first goal on 24 October 2009 in a 4–2 win over Morecambe.[14] The loan was extended until the end of the season in December.[15]

Northampton signed Johnson on a two-year contract in July 2010 following the successful loan spell.[16] After signing for the club on a permanent basis, Johnson's first match was the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 loss against Torquay United. Two months later, he received a straight red card after fouling Simon Clist and lost his appeal, resulting in a one-match ban, missing a 3–1 loss against Oxford United.[17] A week after his suspension, he scored his first goal as a permanent Northampton player in a 2–0 win over Lincoln City. In his first season at Northampton (as a permanent player), he made 41 appearances and scored seven goals.[18]

Johnson was appointed as captain ahead of the 2011–12 season[19] having previously captained the club in a friendly match against Nottingham Forest,[20] but was stripped of the post following the arrival of Clarke Carlisle.[21] Johnson retained his first team place, making 48 appearances and scoring twice in two consecutive games against Morecambe and Southend.[22] During a 3–2 loss against Burton Albion on 26 December 2011, Johnson received a straight red card in the 18th minute, for fouling John McGrath. After the match, the club announced it would appeal against his sending-off.[23] The club won the appeal after The Football Association overturned the decision, therefore making him available to play.[24]

As his contract was due to expire in the summer, Johnson signed a one-year extension with Northampton keeping him at the club until 2013 on 16 May 2012.[25] After signing, manager Aidy Boothroyd said he expected Johnson to realise his full potential in the coming season.[26] However, Johnson suffered a cartilage injury in October 2012 that ruled him out for four to six weeks.[27] He made a return in a 1–1 draw against York City,[28] but his return was short-lived when he came off at half-time and was out until January after undergoing knee surgery.[29] After making his return on 19 January 2013 against AFC Wimbledon in a 1–1 draw, Boothroyd said Johnson made the team tougher and more aggressive.[30] Later in the 2012–13 season, Johnson regained his first team place and the club finished in sixth place, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. Johnson described the team as "the strongest" he had played in.[31] Johnson was an unused substitute in the play-offs as Northampton Town lost 3–0 on aggregate against Bradford City.[32] He was released by Northampton at the end of the season.[33]

Bengaluru FC

On 16 July 2013, Johnson signed for Bengaluru FC of the Indian I-League, and with Curtis Osano, became the first foreigners in the team's history.[34] He made his debut in their first ever I-League match on 22 September against Mohun Bagan, playing the entirety of a 1–1 draw.[35] In their next match against Rangdajied United F.C., he scored his first goal in India, opening a 3–0 victory.[36] He scored his second goal in as many matches on 6 October against United S.C., the only goal of the game.[37] Four days later he netted in his third consecutive match, in the 12th minute of a 2–1 victory against Mohammedan S.C..[38] In the Federation Cup, Johnson played three full matches against Sporting Goa,[39] Rangdajied United[40] and East Bengal.[41] However, Bengaluru could not proceed beyond the group stage.[42] After defeating Dempo on 20 April 2014, the club won the I-League in its debut season.[43] He was also awarded the Best Defender of 2013–14 I-League award.[44]

Johnson kicked off the 2015 season by winning the Federation Cup, defeating Dempo 2–1 in the final.[45] He played in the club's 2–1 defeat against Malayasian club Johor Darul Ta'zim in the preliminary round of 2015 AFC Champions League,[46] receiving a yellow card in the 67th minute.[47]

On 20 June 2016, after helping Bengaluru FC win their second I-League title, Johnson was rewarded with a new two-year contract, keeping him with the club till the end of the 2017–18 season.[48]

ATK

On 4 June 2018, it was announced on Twitter that Johnson had joined ATK.[49]

Style of play

Though Johnson mainly plays as a centre-back or as a right back, but journalist Arunava Chaudhuri said he is "equally comfortable in defensive midfield."[50] After playing in India, sports website The Hard Tackle described Johnson as "one of the best footballing imports to the country".[51] The website also praised his height as it is "influential in defence as it is from both attacking and defensive set-pieces."[52] He was recognised by BBC as "consistent, a firm fans' favourite and a brave, no nonsense defender."[53]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played on 20 April 2018
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Middlesbrough 2008–09[54] Premier League 1000—10
Tranmere Rovers (loan) 2008–09[54] League One 40001[lower-alpha 2]050
Northampton Town (loan) 2009–10[55] League Two 36510—375
Northampton Town 2010–11[18] League Two 38631—417
2011–12[22] League Two 45230—482
2012–13[56] League Two 200202[lower-alpha 3]0240
Total 13913912015014
Bengaluru FC 2013–14[57] I-League 23330—263
2014–15[58] I-League 191606[lower-alpha 4]0311
2015–16[58] I-League 1400011[lower-alpha 4]0250
2016–17[58] I-League 120505[lower-alpha 4]1221
2017–18[58][59] Indian Super League 18040—220
Total 8641802211265
Career total 2261727125127819
  1. Appearances in the FA Cup, Football League Cup and Federation Cup
  2. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  3. Appearances in Football League play-offs
  4. Appearance in AFC Champions League and AFC Cup

Honours

Club

Bengaluru FC

ATK FC

Individual

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 223. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. "Boro's busy production line". The Northern Echo. Darlington. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  3. Hughes, Ian (18 October 2008). "Middlesbrough 0–5 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 October 2008.
  4. "Boro need the new boys". Evening Gazette. Middlesbrough. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  5. "Bengaluru FC players Robin Singh and John Johnson on a rapid fire round". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  6. "Tranmere seal Johnson loan deal". BBC Sport. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  7. "Tranmere 2–1 Leeds". BBC Sport. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  8. "Moore heartbreak at Trophy defeat". BBC Sport. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  9. "John Johnson". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
  10. "Cobblers bring in Boro defender". BBC Sport. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  11. "Northampton Town vs Bradford City". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  12. "I'll give 100% on loan – Johnson". BBC Sport. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  13. "Cobblers keep Johnson". Sky Sports. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  14. "Morecombe vs Northampton Town". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  15. Cobblers finalise Johnson deal. Sky Sports. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  16. Johnson joins Northampton. Sky Sports. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  17. "Northampton Town lose John Johnson card appeal". BBC Sport. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  18. "Games played by John Johnson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  19. "Northampton's John Johnson signs contract extension". BBC. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  20. "Johnson undecided on skipper". Sky Sports. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  21. "Northampton Town's John Johnson to continue as 'leader'". BBC. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  22. "Games played by John Johnson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  23. "Cobblers appeal Johnson card". Sky Sports. 28 December 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  24. "Cobblers win Johnson appeal". Sky Sports. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  25. "Johnson joy after new deal". Sky Sports. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  26. "Boss raises bar for Johnson". Sky Sports. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  27. "Northampton: Luke Guttridge and John Johnson face long absences". BBC Sport. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  28. "York 1–1 Northampton". BBC Sport. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  29. "Northampton Town's John Johnson set for knee surgery". BBC Sport. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  30. "John Johnson to 'toughen up' Northampton, says Aidy Boothroyd". BBC Sport. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  31. "John Johnson hails the 'best' Northampton Town team". BBC Sport. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  32. "Bradford City vs Northampton Town". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  33. "Adebayo Akinfenwa released by Northampton Town". BBC Sport. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  34. "I-League new entrants JSW Sports signs two England-based players". Sports.NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  35. "Bengaluru VS. Mohun Bagan 1–1". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  36. "Bengaluru VS. Rangdajied United 3–0". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  37. "Bengaluru VS.Prayag United 1 – 0". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  38. "Bengaluru VS. Mohemmadan 2–1". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  39. "Bengaluru FC vs Sporting Goa". Goal. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  40. "Bengaluru FC vs Rangdajied United". Goal. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  41. "Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal". Goal. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  42. "Five talking points from Federation Cup group stage". Goal. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  43. "Bengaluru FC crowned champions on I-League debut". Times of India. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  44. "Chhetri named I-League's best". The Times of India. p. 19.
  45. "The Blues win their first Federation Cup". Goal. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  46. "Bengaluru FC lost their 2015 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1 fixture against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim FC 1–2 on Wednesday". Chris Punnakkattu Daniel. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  47. "Johor vs Bengaluru". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  48. "Johnson signs two-year deal". Bengaluru Football Club. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  49. @WorldATK (4 June 2018). "Welcome @John6Johnson to the #ATK family!" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 June 2018 – via Twitter.
  50. "JSW Bangalore sign EPL experienced John James Johnson & Curtis Osano". Arunfoot. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  51. "Bengaluru FC – Johnson, Beikhokhei And Others Driving Westwood's Men Forward". The Hard Tackle. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  52. "Bengaluru FC : Adding EPL Flavor To I-League". The Hard Tackle. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  53. "Northampton Town defender John Johnson has signed a one-year contract extension at the club, with an option for a further year". BBC. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  54. "Games played by John Johnson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  55. "John Johnson career stats 2009–10". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  56. "Games played by John Johnson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  57. "John Johnson career stats". Goal. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014.
  58. "John Johnson profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  59. "John Johnson". Flash Score. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
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