Simon Johnson (footballer)

Simon Ainsley Johnson (born 9 March 1983) is an English football coach and former professional player who played as an attacking midfielder. He was appointed manager of Midland League club Highgate United in July 2021.

For other people named Simon Johnson, see Simon Johnson (disambiguation).

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,[1] England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Highgate United (manager)
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 14 (4)
2010 Solihull Moors 1 (2)
2010 Guiseley 11 (4)
2010–2012 Hibernians 0 (0)
2012–2013 Hinckley United 1 (0)
2014–201? Hinckley 3 (0)
National team
England U20
Teams managed
2021– Highgate United
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:55, 1 November 2014 (UTC)

Playing career

Johnson was born in West Bromwich and attended Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School. He left in Year Nine and moved to Leeds to start his career at Leeds United, where he was recognised as a tenacious and skilful target man.[3] 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 was restricted to reserve team football and did not make his senior debut until he was loaned to Hull City. 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.[4] 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. Over the next two seasons, Johnson only made sporadic appearances for Leeds and was loaned to several clubs for first team experience. He had also studied at Boston Spa Academy during his time in the Leeds United Academy.[5][6]

In June 2005, he left Leeds and 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.[7] 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.[8] 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. He notably scored an inspirational winner in the FA Cup against Tranmere Rovers, to send Hereford into the Fourth Round for the first time in 16 years. He left the club by mutual consent on 21 April 2009.[9]

He was at Bury on a three-month deal. Johnson made his debut as late substitute in a 3–0 loss to AFC Bournemouth. On 12 September 2009, the club website announced that his month-to-month contract had been terminated.

He later played for Halesowen Town and Solihull Moors,[10] before joining Guiseley, where he scored four goals in eleven league games.[11]

Coaching career

Johnson was appointed manager of Midland League club Highgate United in July 2021.[12]

Honours

Hereford United

Guiseley[13]

References
  1. "Simon Johnson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  2. "Simon Johnson: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  3. Introducing ... Simon Johnson The Football Association, 18 July 2003, accessed 15 February 2009.
  4. Bristol Rovers vs Hull City Hull City official website, 13 August 2002, accessed 15 February 2009.
  5. "Ladies Academy seeks tomorrow's stars". LeedsUnited.com. Leeds United. 4 May 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  6. "Simon Johnson". Sheridan Dictates. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  7. Stuart McCall eying Simon Johnson Bradford City official website, 13 July 2007, accessed 15 February 2009.
  8. Bulls Late Show Shares Spoils Archived 3 August 2012 at archive.today Hereford United official website, 4 December 2007, accessed 15 February 2009.
  9. Hereford's Simon Johnson upsets Tranmere The Daily Telegraph, 17 January 2008, accessed 15 February 2009.
  10. Simon Johnson at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  11. "2009-10 Appearances & Goals". Guiseley AFC Memorabilia. Retrieved 4 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. "Welcome New Manager – Simon Johnson". Highgate United F.C. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  13. "2009-10 Complete Results". Guiseley AFC Memorabilia. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
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