 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Henry Johnston | ||
| Date of birth | (1919-09-26)26 September 1919 | ||
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | ||
| Date of death | 12 October 1973(1973-10-12) (aged 54) | ||
| Place of death | Manchester, England | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 193?–1934 | Droylsden | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1934–1955 | Blackpool | 386 | (11) |
| International career | |||
| 1946–1953 | England | 10 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1955–1962 | Reading | ||
| 1969 | Blackpool (caretaker) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Henry Johnston (26 September 1919 – 12 October 1973) was an Englishfootballer. He was theFootball Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in 1951. He spent his entire professional playing career withBlackpool, with whom he appeared in threeFA Cup Finals, winning one. During his career, he appeared in all threehalf-back positions, and even moved up tocentre forward when needed.[1]
Blackpool signedManchester-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-rivalsPreston North End atDeepdale. Despite the result, Johnston was named Man of the Match.[2] For the final game of the season, at home toWest Bromwich Albion, he was moved to the forward line. He responded by scoring Blackpool's third goal in their 3–1 victory. By thefollowing season, he was a regular inthe Seasiders' team.
After thewar, during which he served in the Middle East, Johnston became the foundation on which the Blackpool team was built.[1] Ascaptain, he led them to FA Cup Final appearances in1948,1951, and the most famous final of all in1953, when he became the first and, thus far, only Blackpool skipper to lift thetrophy. He made 40 appearances and scored three goals in the competition in his career.
In1951, Johnston was votedFWA Footballer of the Year. He was the subject of bids from other big clubs, but he always remained aone-club player.[1]
He played his last game on 25 April 1955, atNewcastle United. At that point he had made more appearances for Blackpool than any other player; a record later broken byJimmy Armfield.[1]
Johnston was inducted into theHall of Fame atBloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool playerJimmy Armfield in April 2006.[3] 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.[4]
For a man of his stature, his international career was very short, with only ten appearances forEngland in a seven-year span. His appearances were limited due to the consistent performances ofBilly Wright.
Johnston made his England debut on 27 November 1946, in an 8–2 friendly victory overthe Netherlands atLeeds Road. His tenth and final international appearance occurred on 25 November 1953, inthe 6–3 defeat byHungary atWembley.
In late 1955 Johnston became manager ofReading, with whom he spent seven seasons. He returned to Bloomfield Road in 1967 as assistant manager toStan Mortensen, and whenMorty was sacked late in the 1968–69 campaign, he took over ascaretaker manager. In February 1970, he became assistant secretary, a role that meant he was in charge of theticket office and editing the club's programme.[2]
When he died in his hometown of Manchester in 1973 at age 54, "the whole town ofBlackpool mourned, for Harry Johnston was one of the greatest players ever to wear the tangerine shirt."[1]
| Club | Season | Division | League | FA Cup | Other | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Blackpool | 1937–38 | First Division | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| 1938–39 | First Division | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| 1939–40 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1946–47 | First Division | 39 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| 1947–48 | First Division | 36 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
| 1948–49 | First Division | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| 1949–50 | First Division | 39 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 1950–51 | First Division | 38 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 7 | |
| 1951–52 | First Division | 31 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 | |
| 1952–53 | First Division | 36 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 1953–54 | First Division | 35 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1[b] | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| 1954–55 | First Division | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
| Total | 386 | 11 | 38 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 428 | 14 | ||
| Career total | 386 | 11 | 38 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 428 | 14 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1946 | 1 | 0 |
| 1947 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1951 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1953 | 7 | 0 | |
| Total | 10 | 0 | |
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Reading | 1 November 1955 | 1 January 1963 | 356 | 143 | 76 | 137 | 040.2 |
| Blackpool (caretaker) | April 1969 | April 1969 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Total | 356 | 143 | 76 | 137 | 040.2 | ||
Blackpool
England
Individual
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