Harry Johnston (footballer, born 1919)
 |
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Henry Johnston | ||
| Date of birth | 26 September 1919 | ||
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | ||
| Date of death | 12 October 1973 (aged 54) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 193?–1934 | Droylsden | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1934–1955 | Blackpool | 386 | (11) |
| National team | |||
| 1946–1953 | England | 10 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1955–1962 | Reading | ||
| 1969 | Blackpool (caretaker) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
|||
Henry "Harry" Johnston (26 September 1919 – 12 October 1973) was an English footballer. He was the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in 1951. He spent his entire professional playing career with Blackpool, with whom he appeared in three FA Cup Finals. During his career, he appeared in all three half-back positions, and even moved up to centre forward when needed.
Blackpool signed Manchester-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-rivals Preston North End at Deepdale. Despite the result, Johnston was named Man of the Match. For the final game of the season, at home to West Bromwich Albion, he was moved to the forward line. He responded by scoring Blackpool's third goal in their 3–1 victory. By the following season, he was a regular in the Seasiders' team.
After the war, during which he served in the Middle East, Johnston became the foundation on which the Blackpool team was built. As captain, he led them to FA Cup Final appearances in 1948, 1951, and the most famous final of all in 1953, when he became the first and, thus far, only Blackpool skipper to lift the trophy. He made 40 appearances and scored three goals in the competition in his career.
In 1951, Johnston was voted FWA Footballer of the Year. He was the subject of bids from other big clubs, but he always remained a one-club player.
...
Wikipedia