Harry Johnson (footballer born 1899)

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Harry Johnson
Personal information
Full name Harry Johnson
Date of birth January 4, 1899 (1899-01-04)
Place of birth    Sheffield, England
Date of death    1981
Playing position Striker
Youth clubs
Ecclesfield
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1916-1930
1932-1935
Sheffield United
Mansfield Town
Total
313 (201)
163 (104)
476 (305)   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Harry Johnson (born. January 4, 1899 in Ecclesfield, Sheffield - died. 1981) was a footballer who played for Sheffield United between 1916-1931. He played in the position of striker.

He has the unusual distinction of being the all time leading goalscorer for two different teams. He is Sheffield United's all-time leading goalscorer with 201 goals in 313 league games, which he scored between 1919 and 1930, and holds the same record at Mansfield Town, with 104 goals scored between 1932 and 1935. He was nicknamed young Harry, so as not to be confused with his father of the same name, who also played for the Blades as a right half.

Johnson was a part-time professional with boundless enthusiasm. He had a tireless energy, born of a simple love of the game and never gave the opponent defenders a minute of peace. He also had remarkable pace, and could turn half-chances into goals. His cheerfulness and pluck made him one of the all-time favourites amongst Sheffield United supporters.

As a part time player, he on many occasions had to gain permission from Hadfield Steel Works in Sheffield (who were his full time employees) for a weeks release to play for United. At the start of the First World War, Harry joined the army and served in France. He signed for United during the Wartime in 1916.

He played his first match in United colours for a Reserve United side at Heckmondwike, and upset the home fans who 'displayed a certain amount of animosity,' and one irate man even waved a gun at him!, fortunately for Harry and United it wasn't loaded.[1] He made his first team debut in 1923, replacing Bert Menlove at centre-forward. In 1925 he was an FA Cup Final winner with United, and scored 23 goals in the same season.

In 1928, United were drawn against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup 5th Round. The tie at Hillsborough ended 3-3. In the Replay at Bramall Lane on February 22, 1928, the match belonged to Johnson in front of 59,447 spectators, as he became the first player to score 3 goals in a Steel City derby and all in an 18 minute period.

He also jointly holds the Sheffield United record for most goals in a game - five against West Ham United in 1929. Harry stayed with United for 16 years before finally leaving to join Mansfield Town in 1932.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Clarebrough, Denis (1989). Sheffield United F.C., The First 100 years. Sheffield United Football Club.