Craig Johnston
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Craig Peter Johnston | ||
| Date of birth | 25 June 1960 | ||
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1975–1977 | Middlesbrough | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1977–1981 | Middlesbrough | 64 | (16) |
| 1978 | → Newcastle KB (loan) | 9 | (0) |
| 1981–1988 | Liverpool | 190 | (30) |
| 1982 | → Newcastle KB (loan) | 4 | (4) |
| Total | 267 | (49) | |
| National team | |||
| 1980–1981 | England U-21 | 2 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Craig Peter Johnston (born 25 June 1960) is a South African-born Australian former footballer and he is forever remembered by his fellow countrymen as one of the first Australians to make a big stamp in English and European football. He is remembered for his time spent with Liverpool throughout the 1980s. After retiring, he designed and created the prototype for Adidas' Predator football boot, worn by many footballers and rugby players. He was eligible for the Australian and South African national teams, but only ever made an appearance for the England U-21 youth team.
Johnston was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to Australian parents; he returned home to Australia with his family as a small child. At the age of six, Johnston contracted osteomyelitis and came close to losing his leg and would have done if not for the expertise of an American specialist who was touring and lecturing in Australia at the time.
Encouraged by his father who had trialled at Preston North End and Dundee United, Johnston took up football at Lake Macquarie and in the Newcastle, New South Wales. At the age of 14 he wrote to four English clubs among those Manchester United and Chelsea seeking a trial.Middlesbrough, managed by Jack Charlton, replied and Johnston's parents sold their house to fund his ticket to England. As a 15-year-old, Johnston stayed at Middlesbrough for six months, returning to Australia to play briefly for Sydney City, before moving back to Middlesbrough. His mother wanted him to be a teacher, whereas his father wanted him to be a footballer.
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