Samuel Johnston (13 April 1967 – 14 August 2025) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs including St Johnstone, Partick Thistle and Glenavon.
Career Johnston began his professional career as a teenager with St Johnstone, playing over 200 times for the Perth club including the semi-final of the 1988–89 Scottish Cup when the part-time, second-tier side took champions-elect Rangers to a replay,Horror show was torture for Rangers fans, The Glasgow Herald, 17 April 1989Rangers all right on the night, The Glasgow Herald, 19 April 1989 and a match described as 'McDiarmid Park's greatest' when closest challengers Airdrieonians were defeated to virtually confirm the 1989–90 Scottish First Division title and promotion to the Premier Division.McDiarmid Park's Greatest Game | The 30th anniversary of St Johnstone 3 Airdrie 1, Eric Nicolson, The Courier, 31 March 2020
Johnston's contribution for the Saints in the top flight consisted of one appearance as a substitute against Dundee United in August 1990St Johnstone 1 Dundee Utd 3 League (Premier Division), Arab Archive before he quickly returned to the First Division upon being signed by Ayr United. He stayed at Somerset Park for less than a season before switching to Partick Thistle in a swap deal involving Cammy Duncan in March 1991.Ayr United mourn the passing of legend players Cammy Duncan and John Telfer, Mike Wilson, Daily Record, 4 May 2017Sammy Johnston, The Thistle Archive He was involved in another successful promotion run with the Jags as they finished runners-up in the 1991–92 Scottish First Division, followed by a solid Premier Division campaign in 1992–93, although by then Johnston was out of favour. After departing from Firhill, he had short spells with Ballymena United in Northern Ireland and Stranraer in Scotland, before crossing the Irish Sea for a longer period, playing in the Irish League for Glenavon – where he had a car park fistfight with opponent Pat McAllister,Football: I get a kick out of you; Mirror Sport Special | The life and times of Irish League hardman Pat McAllister Coleraine star just loves football, The Daily Mirror, 10 May 2005, via The Free Library scored in the 1995–96 UEFA CupBack to Iceland for Glenavon, Lurgan Mail, 23 June 2014 and won the Irish Cup in 1997 – and Coleraine, and in the League of Ireland for Finn Harps.Harps' Derry hoodoo explored, Donegal News, 25 May 2012
In 1998 he returned to Partick Thistle, now in the third tier, then dropped into the Junior leagues to join Pollok. After retiring from playing, he later managed Neilston Juniors for three yearsNeilston boss Johnston resigns, Daily Record, 22 May 2008 (leading them to the SJFA West Region Premiership) and was assistant to Mark Cameron at Arthurlie.Juniors: Branco orders Lie to fire the final Shotts..., Evening Times, 7 October 2008Sammy Johnston ready for dogs abuse when he swap sides as Arthurlie Legends take on Pollok, Daily Record, 25 September 2009
Personal life and death His younger brother Allan (a Scottish international with 18 caps) and nephew Max also played professionally.
Sammy Johnston died on 14 August 2025, at the age of 58 after an illness.
See also List of Scottish football families List of St Johnstone F.C. players
References