Henry 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, winning one. During his career, he appeared in all three half-back positions, and even moved up to centre forward when needed.Calley, R: Blackpool: A Complete Record: 1877–1992, Breedon Books Sport, 1992

Club career 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.

He played his last game on 25 April 1955, at Newcastle United. At that point he had made more appearances for Blackpool than any other player; a record later broken by Jimmy Armfield.

Blackpool F.C. Hall of Fame Johnston was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Johnston is in the 1950s.

International career For a man of his stature, his international career was very short, with only ten appearances for England in a seven-year span. His appearances were limited due to the consistent performances of Billy Wright.

Johnston made his England debut on 27 November 1946, in an 8–2 friendly victory over the Netherlands at Leeds Road. His tenth and final international appearance occurred on 25 November 1953, in the 6–3 defeat by Hungary at Wembley.

Post-retirement In late 1955 Johnston became manager of Reading, with whom he spent seven seasons. He returned to Bloomfield Road in 1967 as assistant manager to Stan Mortensen, and when Morty was sacked late in the 1968–69 campaign, he took over as caretaker manager. In February 1970, he became assistant secretary, a role that meant he was in charge of the ticket office and editing the club's programme.

When he died in his hometown of Manchester in 1973 at age 54, "the whole town of Blackpool mourned, for Harry Johnston was one of the greatest players ever to wear the tangerine shirt."

Career statistics Club +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBlackpool1937–38First Division20120002211938–39First Division35010003601939–40First Division000030301946–47First Division39010004001947–48First Division36161003621948–49First Division36030003901949–50First Division39240004301950–51First Division38780004671951–52First Division31011003211952–53First Division36070004301953–54First Division35041104001954–55First Division4101000420Total386113834042814Career total386113834042814

International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsEngland194610194710195110195370Total100

Managerial statistics + Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordReading1 November 19551 January 1963Blackpool (caretaker)April 1969April 1969?????Total

Honours Blackpool FA Cup: 1952–53; runner-up: 1947–48, 1950–51 Lancashire FA Cup: 1953–54

England British Home Championship: 1946–47, 1953–54

Individual FWA Footballer of the Year: 1951

See also List of one-club men in association football

References

Further reading

External links Independent site profile

Johnston in the Blackpool Supporters Association Hall of Fame