Paul Johnson (rugby league, born 1978)

Paul Johnson (born 25 November 1978) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, Emerging England and Lancashire, and at club level for the Wigan Warriors (Heritage № 901),[4] the Bradford Bulls (Heritage №), the Warrington Wolves (Heritage № 1276), the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (Heritage № 1073) and the Crusaders RL (Heritage №), as a wing, centre, stand-off, second-row or loose forward.[2][3]

For the player born 1988, see Paul Johnson (rugby league b. 1988). For the New Zealand international, see Paul Johnson (New Zealand).

Paul Johnson
Personal information
Born (1978-11-25) 25 November 1978
Wigan, England
Playing information
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight96 kg (15 st 2 lb)[1]
PositionWing, Centre, Stand-off, Second-row, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995–03 Wigan Warriors 108 43 0 0 172
2004–06 Bradford Bulls 54 19 0 0 76
2007–09 Warrington Wolves 53 18 0 0 72
2010 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 15 4 0 16
2011 Crusaders RL 10 0 0 0 0
Total 240 84 0 0 336
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1998 Emerging England 1 0 0 0 0
2001–05 Great Britain 12 5 0 0 20
Lancashire
Source: [2][3]

Background

Paul Johnson was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England.

Wigan Warriors

Johnson made his professional début from the bench as a 17-year-old for Wigan in 1995.[5] He played for Wigan from the interchange bench in their 1998 Super League Grand Final victory over Leeds Rhinos.

Johnson played for the Wigan Warriors from the interchange bench in their 2001 Super League Grand Final loss to the Bradford Bulls. Johnson played for the Wigan Warriors from the interchange bench in the 2003 Super League Grand Final which was lost to the Bradford Bulls.

Bradford Bulls

Paul joined the Bradford Bulls from the Wigan Warriors in 2004. Having won Super League VIII, Bradford played against 2003 NRL Premiers, the Penrith Panthers in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Johnson played as a centre in the Bulls' 22–4 victory. He played for Bradford as a centre in their 2004 Super League Grand Final loss against the Leeds Rhinos. Johnson was then selected in the Great Britain team to compete in the end of season 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against Australia he played from the interchange bench in the Lions' 44–4 loss. The following year he played for the Bradford Bulls as a second-row in their 2005 Super League Grand Final victory against the Leeds Rhinos. As Super League champions Bradford faced National Rugby League premiers Wests Tigers in the 2006 World Club Challenge. Johnson played as a second-row in the Bulls' 30–10 victory.

Warrington Wolves

Paul joined the Warrington Wolves from the Bradford Bulls in 2007.

International career

In 1998, Johnson played for Emerging England in a 15–12 victory over Wales.[6]

Johnson made his Great Britain début in 2001, went on to play in the 2004 and 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations.[3]

Paul was voted 'Back of the Series' against Australia in 2001. He missed a large part of the 2005's Super League X with shoulder and thumb injuries but was in sensational form on his return and gained selection for the Tri Nations tournament, scoring a hat trick against the Kiwis.

Personal life

In February 2003 his younger brother, Wigan academy player Craig Johnson, was killed in a car crash along with Billy-Joe Edwards, a promising Wigan academy player and younger brother of former Wigan player Shaun Edwards.[7]

References
  1. "Statistics at crusadersrfl.com". crusadersrfl.com. 7 August 2011. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. "Statistics at loverugbyleague.com". loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  3. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  4. "Heritage Numbers - In Debut Order". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. http://wigan.rlfans.com/print.php?type=A&item_id=592
  6. Irvine, Christopher (20 July 1998). "Elder statesmen negotiate England escape". The Times. London: News International Trading Limited. p. 32. ProQuest 317976921.
  7. "Rugby league players killed in crash". BBC. 14 February 2003. Retrieved 20 February 2008.
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