Howard Johnson (footballer)

Howard Johnson (17 July 1925 – 15 June 2015) was an English footballer who played primarily as a defender. Born in Sheffield, he played in the Football League for Sheffield United and York City.

Howard Johnson
Personal information
Full name Howard Johnson[1]
Date of birth (1925-07-17)17 July 1925[1]
Place of birth Sheffield, England[1]
Date of death 15 June 2015(2015-06-15) (aged 89)
Place of death Lincolnshire, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Sheffield Inland Revenue
Norton Woodseats
1951–1957 Sheffield United 92 (0)
1957–1959 York City 28 (0)
1959–1962 Denaby United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

Born in the Pitsmoor area of Sheffield, Johnson attended the Firth Park Grammar School and later served in the navy.[1] On returning to civilian life, Johnson trained to be an accountant and worked as a finance clerk while playing football part-time for Norton Woodseats.[1]

Playing career

Johnson was signed on a part-time contract by Sheffield United in March 1951, with United donating £200 to his amateur club.[1] After making his league debut against Brentford a few days later, Johnson made occasional first-team appearances for his first two seasons.[1] Johnson began make regular appearances during the 1953–54 promotion season but was soon relegated to bit-part status once more as he had to compete with Joe Shaw in central defence.[1] Johnson remained with the Blades until the summer of 1957, and despite having played most of his career as a defender, his final four games for the club were as a makeshift centre forward.[1] Despite never really holding down a first team place with Sheffield United, Johnson left the club having made over 100 appearances, scoring one goal.

After leaving Sheffield United, Johnson joined York City where he remained for a further two seasons before joining non-league Denaby United in 1959.[1]

Later life

On retiring from football, Johnson returned to his former career as an accounts clerk and later became a computer systems analyst.[1]

Johnson died on 15 June 2015. He was 89.[2][3]

References
  1. Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 181. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
  2. Howard Johnson (1925–2015)
  3. "Howard Johnson". Barry Hugman's Footballers.
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