Brian Johnson (rugby league)

Brian James Johnson "Johnno" (26 June 1956 – 12 January 2016) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played as a fullback in the 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1980s and 1990s. He played in Sydney for the St George Dragons and Eastern Suburbs clubs, and in England for Warrington.[1][2]

Not to be confused with Brian Johnston (rugby league).

Brian Johnson
Personal information
Full nameBrian James Johnson
Born(1956-06-26)26 June 1956
Dapto, New South Wales, Australia
Died12 January 2016(2016-01-12) (aged 59)
Horsley, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1976–78 Dapto Canaries
1979–85 St. George Dragons 149 54 0 0 138
1985–88 Warrington 103 48 0 0 192
1986 Eastern Suburbs 12 2 0 0 8
Total 264 104 0 0 338
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1978 Country Firsts 1 0 0 0 0
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1988–96 Warrington 130 64 5 61 49
Source: [1][2]

Playing career

A Dapto junior, Johnson's only representative appearance was for Country New South Wales in 1978.

St. George Dragons

He started his Sydney career at St. George Dragons in 1979, and played fullback. He played six first grade seasons at St. George Dragons and was a crowd favourite at Kogarah Oval and played over 140 games. He won a Premiership in his first year at the Dragons in 1979.

His last year in the Sydney premiership was 1986 and Johnson joined Eastern Suburbs for one season, then moved to England and joined Warrington. He had three seasons at Warrington and scored 48 tries with the club, winning the Premiership Final in his first season.

County Cup Final appearances

Johnson played fullback, and scored a try in Warrington's 8-34 defeat by Wigan in the 1985 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1985–86 season at Knowsley Road, St Helens, on Sunday 13 October 1985,[3] and played fullback in the 16-28 defeat by Wigan in the 1987 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1987–88 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 11 October 1987.[4]

John Player Special Trophy Final appearances

Johnson played fullback in Warrington's 4-18 defeat by Wigan in the 1986–87 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1986–87 season at Burnden Park, Bolton on Saturday 10 January 1987.[5]

Coaching

In 1988-89 season Johnson became head coach at Warrington. He guided the team to the Lancashire Cup victory in 1989. Brian Johnson was the coach in Warrington's 14-36 defeat by Wigan in the 1990 Challenge Cup Final during the 1989–90 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 28 April 1990, in front of a crowd of 77,729.[6] Under Johnson, Warrington also won the Regal Trophy in 1990-91 season. In 1993–94 season Warrington finished third in the league on points difference behind Wigan and Bradford Northern. The following season Warrington made the Regal Trophy Final once more, again losing to Wigan. He resigned from his position in January 1996 in the Rugby League Centenary Season following a club record 80–0 defeat against St. Helens at Knowsley Road.[7][8] Johnson was later employed by the AIS as a rugby league coach.

Death

Johnson died from Alzheimer's Disease on 12 January 2016. He was survived by his wife and two sons.[9][10]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "1985–1986 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. "1987–1988 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  5. "10th January 1987: Warrington 4 Wigan 18 (John Player Trophy Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  6. "1989-1990 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  7. Hadfield, Dave (6 January 1996). "Johnson pays the price for humbling". The Independent. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  8. "Former Wire full back and coach has died". warringtonguardian.co.uk. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  9. "St George Dragons great Brian Johnson dies aged 59 after long battle with Alzheimer's". dailytelegraph.com.au. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  10. Illawarra Mercury - Death Notice 14 January 2016
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