Danny Johnson (footballer)

Johnson began his career as a youngster with Middlesbrough and later moved into the youth system at Hartlepool United, scoring 21 goals for the club's youth team during the 2010–11 season, but was released in May 2011 without making a first-team appearance. He moved to Spain with Real Murcia before returning to England, spending time on trial with Rochdale before having a brief spell with Harrogate Town, making his debut against Histon, before being released.[3] He later joined Billingham Synthonia.[4]

In March 2013, Johnson joined Guisborough Town having impressed manager Chris Hardy and scored six goals in nine league appearances at the end of the 2012–13 season. He started the following year in impressive form, scoring six goals in a pre-season friendly against local side Redcar Athletic and added his first competitive hat-trick soon after in a 3–3 draw with Jarrow Roofing in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup.[4] He went on to enjoy a prolific season at the club, scoring 59 goals in all competitions, helping the side to win the North Riding Senior Cup, scoring the only goal in the final,[5] a 1–0 win over former club Middlesbrough and finishing top scorer in Division One of the Northern Football League.[6] At the end of his prolific 2013–14 season, Johnson received a plethora of awards, including the clubs Managers' Player of the Year, the Northern Football League's Young Player of the Year award and BBC Newcastle's Player of the Year award.[4]

Johnson's scoring exploits for Guisborough attracted interest from numerous clubs including his former club Middlesbrough, where he had two spells training with the first team,[7] Huddersfield Town and Carlisle United before eventually signing for Football League Championship side Cardiff City after scoring for the club's development squad during a pre-season tour against FK Sarajevo.[8] Following his return to professional football, Guisborough manager Chris Hardy commented ""He is an out-and-out goal scorer and more mature now than when he was in the pro game before""[4]

After spending the opening months of the season in the sides development squad, Johnson signed for Football League Two side Tranmere Rovers on an initial one-month loan deal in October 2014.[9] He made his professional debut soon after in a 0–0 draw with Mansfield Town on 21 October 2014, playing 71 minutes before being replaced by George Donnelly,[10] and scored his first professional goal on 11 November in a 2–1 win over Bury in the Football League Trophy.[11] He made just one more appearance for the club before returning to Cardiff.

After continuing to score regularly for Cardiff's under-21 development squad, Johnson was again loaned out, returning to League Two with Stevenage for an initial one month loan deal on 2 February.[12] He made one start for the club and three brief substitute appearances without scoring before returning to Cardiff in late March. At the end of the season, Johnson was not offered a new contract with Cardiff and was subsequently released.[13]

Following his release, Johnson spent time on trial with League Two side York City, appearing in pre-season friendly matches against Leeds United and Middlesbrough. He was offered a further week long trial at the club following this but instead chose to sign for National League side Gateshead,[14] managed by former Middlesbrough assistant manager Malcolm Crosby, stating that the club had "made him feel wanted from the outset".[15] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2015–16 season, starting in a 2–1 win over Aldershot Town before being replaced by Ryan Bowman after 61 minutes.[16] He scored his first goals for the club soon after with a brace against Guiseley during a 2–0 win on 29 August 2015.[17]

His next goal for the club came three matches later during a 2–1 victory over Eastleigh during which Johnson suffered an injury after a heavy collision with Eastleigh goalkeeper Michael Poke.[18] After a weak header back to Poke by defender Jamie Turley, Johnson beat the Eastleigh goalkeeper to the ball to score but was caught by a strong follow through by Poke. Johnson suffered a bruised lung as well as muscle damage in his ribs and hips and was stretchered off, later claiming that he believed that he was going to suffer a seizure due to the severity of the collision,[19] which kept him out for a month.

In June 2018, Johnson signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Motherwell.[20] He started the season well, scoring goals in high-profile matches, including against one against Rangers,[21] a double in a 3–0 victory against Aberdeen,[22] and a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Celtic.[23] Despite having a goals to games ratio of one in two start in the first half of the season, a change of formation limited his appearances during the second half of the season.[24]

On 26 July 2019, Johnson moved to Scottish Championship side Dundee on a two-year contract.[25] He scored on his debut for Dundee in a 1–0 victory over Inverness CT in the Scottish League Cup group stages.[26] Johnson then played a crucial role in the opening game of the league season, scoring two penalties against Dunfermline Athletic to earn his side a point as they came from 2–0 down to draw 2–2,[27] and he scored once again from the spot in a League Cup tie against Aberdeen in a 2–1 defeat.[28] In the first Dundee Derby of the season, Johnson had a goal which would have given Dundee the lead, wrongly disallowed for offside, and his side then went on to lose 6–2.[29] Johnson scored early on in the following match, a 2–1 win over Alloa Athletic.[30]

On 27 January 2020, Johnson signed for EFL League Two side Leyton Orient.[31] He scored his first goal on 22 February, scoring the last goal in a 2–2 draw with Oldham Athletic.[32]