Brian Johnson (rugby league)

Brian Johnson

Personal information
Full name	Brian James Johnson
Nickname	Johnno
Born	26 June 1956 Dapto, New South Wales, Australia
Died	12 January 2016 (aged 59) Horsley, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position	fullback
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
197?–7?	Wollongong
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: RLP

Brian James Johnson (26 June 1956 – 12 January 2016) was an Australian 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 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 full-back. 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 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

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]

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.^[3]

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.^[4][5] 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. ^{[6] [7]}

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. "10th January 1987: Warrington 4 Wigan 18 (John Player Trophy Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
4. Hadfield, Dave (6 January 1996). "Johnson pays the price for humbling". The Independent. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
5. "Former Wire full back and coach has died". Warrington Guardian.
6. "St George Dragons great Brian Johnson dies aged 59 after long battle with Alzheimer’s". dailytelegraph.com.au. 12 January 2016.
7. Illawarra Mercury - Death Notice 14 January 2016