Brian Johnson (rugby league)

Not to be confused with Brian Johnston (rugby league).
Brian Johnson
Personal information
Full name Brian James Johnson
Nickname Johnno
Born 26 June 1956
Dapto, New South Wales
Playing information
Position Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
197?–7? Wollongong
1979–85 St. George Dragons 121 41 0 0 138
1985–88 Warrington 103 48 0 0 192
1986 Eastern Suburbs 12 2 0 0 8
Total 236 91 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: RLP

Brian James Johnson (born 26 June 1956) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played in Sydney for the St George Dragons and Eastern Suburbs clubs, and in England for Warrington. Johnson's usual position was fullback.

Playing career

A Wollongong junior, Johnson's only representative appearance was for Country New South Wales in 1978. He started his Sydney career at St. George Dragons in 1979, and played full-back. He played six first grade seasons at St. George Dragons and was a crowd favourite at Kogarah and played over 120 games. He won a Premiership in his first year at Saints. His final 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

Brian Johnson played Fullback, and scored a try in Warrington's 8-34 defeat by Wigan in the 1985 Lancashire Cup final during the 1985–86 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 13 October 1985,[1] and played Fullback in the 16-28 defeat by Wigan in the 1987 Lancashire Cup final during the 1987–88 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 11 October 1987.[2]

Coaching

In 1988-89 season Johnson became head coach at Warrington. He guided the team to the Lancashire Cup victory in 1989 and then to their first Wembley Challenge Cup Final since 1975, playing against Wigan, in the same season, where they were beaten 36-14. Under Johnson, Warrington also won the Regal Trophy in 1990-91 season. In 93-43 season Warrington finished third in the league on points difference behind Wigan and Bradford. 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.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "1985–1986 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "1987–1988 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Hadfield, Dave (6 January 1996). "Johnson pays the price for humbling". The Independent. Retrieved 26 May 2014.