Simon Johnson
Johnson during the 2009–10 season
Personal information
Full name Simon Ainsley Johnson[1]
Date of birth (1983-03-09) 9 March 1983[1]
Place of birth West Bromwich, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2005 Leeds United 11 (0)
2002 → Hull City (loan) 12 (2)
2003–2004 → Blackpool (loan) 4 (1)
2004 → Sunderland (loan) 5 (0)
2004–2005 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 11 (3)
2005 → Barnsley (loan) 11 (2)
2005–2007 Darlington 66 (9)
2007–2009 Hereford United 62 (5)
2009 Bury 4 (0)
2009–2010 Halesowen Town 13 (4)
2010 Solihull Moors 7 (4)
2010 Guiseley 11 (4)
2010 → Solihull Moors (loan) 8 (3)
2011–2012 Solihull Moors 37 (5)
2012 Hinckley United 1 (0)
2014–2015 Hinckley 6 (0)
2021–2022 Highgate United 0 (0)
Total 269 (42)
International career
2003 England U20[3] 3 (0)
Managerial career
2021–2022 Highgate United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Simon Ainsley Johnson (born 9 March 1983) is an English football coach and former professional player who played as an attacking midfielder. He played in the Premier League for Leeds United and made 175 Football League appearances spread over eight clubs before moving into non-league football. He represented England at under-20 level.

Playing career

Johnson was born in West Bromwich[1] and attended Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School. He left at 14 to join Leeds United,[4] and continued his education at Boston Spa Academy.[5] He signed his first professional contract at Elland Road in July 2000, but with a number of strikers ahead of him in the pecking order, he did not make his senior debut until he was loaned to Hull City.[4] In his first match for the Tigers, on 13 August 2002 at Bristol Rovers, he was brought on as a substitute and scored an 85th-minute equaliser which secured a 1–1 draw.[6] Late in the 2002–03 season he made his Premier League debut for Leeds in the 6–1 defeat of Charlton Athletic, replacing Alan Smith.[7] A 2003 feature on the Football Association's website likened him to Smith, as a "tenacious and skillful target man [who] knows where the goal is."[8]

Over the next two seasons, Johnson only made sporadic appearances for Leeds and was loaned to Blackpool, Sunderland, Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley for first-team experience. He was released by Leeds at the end of the 2004–05 season – he later stated he had not been informed by the club but had found out via a newspaper headline.[4]

In June 2005, he signed for Darlington on a free transfer where he enjoyed regular first-team football, but fell out of favour under manager Dave Penney after nearly signing for Wycombe Wanderers.[9] He joined Hereford United on 8 August 2007, initially on a short-term contract, which was later extended. In his first season at Edgar Street he was used mainly as a winger and made little impact until he scored a last-minute equaliser against Wycombe in December 2007.[10] He made his first league start of the season in the following match, and featured regularly for the remainder of the season as Hereford won promotion to League One.[11] In that season's FA Cup, he scored an inspirational winner against Tranmere Rovers to send Hereford into the fourth round for the first time in 16 years.[12] The following season, Johnson was used mainly as a substitute, failed to score, and left the club by mutual consent on 21 April 2009.[13]

Johnson joined Bury on a three-month deal in August 2009, and made his debut as late substitute in a 3–0 loss to AFC Bournemouth,[14] but left the club after the first month.[15]

He moved into non-league football with Halesowen Town[16] and Solihull Moors,[17] before joining his fourth club of the 2009–10 campaign, Guiseley, in March 2010.[18] Johnson made 11 appearances as Guiseley won the Northern Premier League Premier Division, and committed his future to the club ahead of their upcoming campaign in the Conference North.[19] After being linked with Hibernians in Malta,[20] Johnson rejoined Solihull Moors on loan in September 2010,[21][22] before signing permanently in January 2011.[23] He finished his playing career with Hinckley United[17] and Hinckley,[24] before coming out of retirement to make one substitute appearance in the FA Vase for Highgate United[25] during a short spell – July 2021 to January 2022 – as manager of the Midland League club.[26][27]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United 2002–03[6] Premier League 4000—0040
2003–04[28] Premier League 50—00—50
2004–05[29] Championship 200010—30
Total 110001000120
Hull City (loan) 2002–03[6] Division Three 122—10—132
Blackpool (loan) 2003–04[28] Division Two 4110——51
Sunderland (loan) 2004–05[29] Championship 50—00—50
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2004–05[29] League One 113———113
Barnsley (loan) 2004–05[29] League One 112———112
Darlington 2005–06[30] League Two 42710101[lower-alpha 1]0457
2006–07[31] League Two 24220213[lower-alpha 1]0313
Total 6693031407610
Hereford United 2007–08[11] League Two 33541101[lower-alpha 1]0396
2008–09[32] League One 29020101[lower-alpha 1]0330
Total 625612020726
Bury 2009–10[33] League Two 40—101[lower-alpha 1]060
Halesowen Town 2009–10[34][lower-alpha 2] Southern League Premier Division 134——2[lower-alpha 3]0154
Solihull Moors 2009–10[38] Conference North 74———74
Guiseley 2009–10[39] Northern Premier League Premier Division 114——1[lower-alpha 4]1125
Solihull Moors 2010–11[17][lower-alpha 5][43] Conference North 31830—[lower-alpha 6]348
2011–12[17][44] Conference North 1402[lower-alpha 7]0—2[lower-alpha 8]0180
Total 45850—20528
Hinckley United 2011–12[17] Conference North 1000—0010
Hinckley 2014–15[25] Midland League Division One 30——1[lower-alpha 9]040
2015–16[25] Midland League Division One 3000—0030
Total 6000—1070
Highgate United 2021–22[25] Midland League Premier Division 0000—1[lower-alpha 10]010
Career total 269421518114130645
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ The Aylesbury United source shows 23 appearances, but some of the earlier ones share dates with matches that Johnson was playing for Bury in League Two. The 7 October 2009 match against Rugby Town was Simon Johnson's Halesowen debut,[16] and counting the appearances from that date gives 15 appearances and four goals, matching the Yeltz Archive source.[35] The earlier appearances belong to James Johnson.[36][37]
  3. ↑ Appearances in Southern League Cup
  4. ↑ Appearance in Peter Swales Shield
  5. ↑ Part of this season was spent on loan from Guiseley.[22] Some of his appearances were incorrectly attributed by Soccerway to Marvin Johnson,[40][41] who had left Solihull Moors for Romulus before the start of the season.[42]
  6. ↑ Source needed for possible appearance in FA Trophy 3QR away to Curzon Ashton on 20 November 2010
  7. ↑ Source needed for possible appearance in FA Cup 3QR at home to Grantham Town on 15 October 2011
  8. ↑ Appearances in FA Trophy
  9. ↑ Appearance(s) in JW Hunt Cup
  10. ↑ Appearance in FA Vase

Honours

Hereford United

Guiseley[45]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Simon Johnson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "Simon Johnson: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  3. ↑ "Match results under 20: 1981–2019". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Smyth, Graham (24 May 2020). "'Show a bit of respect' – Leeds United academy graduate learned of Elland Road exit via YEP headline". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Ladies Academy seeks tomorrow's stars". Leeds United F.C. 4 May 2004. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 "Games played by Simon Johnson in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "United masterclass: Charlton 1 United 6!!!". Leeds United F.C. 5 April 2003. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "Introducing... Simon Johnson". The Football Association. 18 July 2003. Archived from the original on 27 October 2004. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  9. ↑ "Stuart McCall eying Simon Johnson". Bradford City A.F.C. 13 July 2007. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  10. ↑ Davies, Gregg (4 December 2007). "Bulls late show shares spoils". Hereford United F.C. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  11. 1 2 "Games played by Simon Johnson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  12. ↑ Gray, William (17 January 2008). "Hereford's Simon Johnson upsets Tranmere". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Bulls cancel Johnson deal". Sky Sports. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  14. ↑ Higginson, Marc (13 August 2009). "Johnson determined to grab chance". Bury Times. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  15. ↑ Higginson, Marc (16 September 2009). "Shakers land one El of a player". Bury Times. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  16. 1 2 "Halesowen Town 5 Rugby Town 1". Halesowen Town FC. 7 October 2009. Archived from the original on 19 August 2010.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "S. Johnson". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  18. ↑ "Solihull Moors lose hot-shot Simon Johnson to Guiseley". Birmingham Mail. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  19. ↑ "Guiseley have eight warm-up games". Wharfedale Observer. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "Strengthened clubs promise close and tight affair for the title". The Malta Independent. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  21. ↑ Marshall, Bill (16 September 2010). "Boss expresses concern as Lions make long trek south". Wharfedale Observer. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Solihull Moors' bid for Halesowen Town striker Stefan Moore rejected". Birmingham Mail. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Solihull Moors secure Simon Johnson for rest of season". 3 January 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Simon Johnson – Central midfield". Hinckley AFC. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Simon Johnson player stats". The FA Full-Time. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  26. ↑ "Welcome New Manager – Simon Johnson". Highgate United F.C. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  27. ↑ "Changes in the dugout at both Highgate United and AFC Wulfrunians". OutsideThe92. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  28. 1 2 "Games played by Simon Johnson in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  29. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Simon Johnson in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Simon Johnson in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Simon Johnson in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Simon Johnson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  33. ↑ "Games played by Simon Johnson in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  34. ↑ "Player profile: Simon Johnson". Aylesbury United Archive. Luke Buckingham-Brown. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  35. ↑ "Player database: J". Yeltz Archives. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019.
  36. ↑ "Farnborough 4 Halesowen Town 1". Halesowen Town FC. 19 September 2009. Archived from the original on 19 August 2010.
  37. ↑ "Player profile: J Johnson". Aylesbury United Archive. Luke Buckingham-Brown. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  38. ↑ Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 236–237. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
  39. ↑ "Appearances/Goals 2009–10". Guiseley AFC. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012.
  40. ↑ "M. Johnson". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  41. ↑ e.g. for the goal: "Matty West scores on return to Hinckley but Solihull Moors are held to a draw". Birmingham Mail. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  42. ↑ Stoner, Colin (7 August 2010). "High road to the play-offs". Birmingham Mail. p. 39. Retrieved 9 November 2023 – via Gale OneFile: News. Not that the Roms – who have recruited young hotshot Marvin Johnson to bolster their attack – will fear anyone.
  43. ↑ For FA Cup: "Early goal sets Solihull on way to fine victory". Birmingham Mail. 27 September 2010. p. 46. Retrieved 27 September 2023 – via Gale OneFile: News.
    Stoner, Colin (10 October 2010). "Coleshill hit by ruthless 6-shooters!". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham. p. 4. Retrieved 27 September 2023 – via Gale OneFile: News.
    Dworkin, Murray (12 October 2010). "Barwell 3 Solihull Moors 1". Barwell F.C. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  44. ↑ For FA Cup 2QR: "FA CUP: Stratford Town late show stuns Stafford Rangers". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham. 2 October 2011. p. 70. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
    For FA Trophy 3QR: "Ossett Town boss Sharpe has grounds for hope over FA Trophy shock". Yorkshire Evening Post. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2023 – via Gale OneFile: News.
    "Dean Bennett must wait one more game for Solihull Moors debut". Birmingham Mail. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  45. ↑ "2009–10 Complete Results". Guiseley AFC. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
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