davieG Posted 1 July 2009 Posted 1 July 2009 I'm surprised this isn't on the OS, a major influence behind Matt Gillies who over saw one of the golden periods for LCFC. If it wasn't for him and Gillies I'd probably be a Chelsea supporter From the Merc:Former Leicester City coach Bert Johnson has died at the age of 93 in a nursing home at Evington. Johnson, who used to live at Wigston, was chief coach to manager Matt Gillies when City reached two FA Cup finals in the early 1960s. He also played for Charlton Athletic in two Cup finals – lifting the trophy in 1947 when the Addicks defeated Burnley. Gillies made 162 appearances for Charlton before becoming player-manager at Cambridge United where he signed Wilf Mannion after he had fallen out with the Football League. Johnson and Gillies were wartime team-mates at Bolton and Gillies brought Johnson to Leicester in 1959 where he was influential in signing Dave Gibson, Mike Stringfellow and Bobby Roberts. His coaching skills were regarded as being ahead of their time, particularly the inter-changing roles of right-half Frank McLintock and inside-right Graham Cross. Despite the tactics, City lost 2-0 to double-winners Spurs in 1961 and, two years later, 3-1 to Manchester United. But he tasted Cup glory when City won the League Cup against Stoke in 1964. Gillies left for Nottingham Forest in 1968 and Johnson was put in charge of the youth set-up, helping to find players such as Martin O'Neill, John Robertson and Tony Woodcock. There was an interesting twist to Johnson's career after his time at Forest when he was put in charge of Zambia's youth team but turned down the chance to coach the national side because they played on Sundays. Johnson moved to Southampton as a scout and, before retiring in 1981, spent two years as general manager at Walsall. Johnson's wife, Lil, died in 2000 and they had three children, sons David and Stuart and daughter Chris. A thanksgiving service will be held on Monday at Little Hill church, Launceston Road, Wigston at 4pm. Everyone is welcome.
Ultra Posted 1 July 2009 Posted 1 July 2009 One of the most important figures in City's history. It's an absolute scandal that there is NO coverage of Bert's death on the OS (edit - there is now, Davie G's namesake must have had a word with them ) RIP.
MPH Posted 1 July 2009 Posted 1 July 2009 One of the most important figures in City's history.It's an absolute scandal that there is NO coverage of Bert's death on the OS. RIP. immense guy. our team met with him a few years ago and he was still giving out coaching tips to us....
davieG Posted 3 July 2009 Author Posted 3 July 2009 Former Leicester City star Davie Gibson today paid tribute to "the man who shaped my destiny." Bert Johnson, who has died at the age of 93, was an influential coach at City in the Matt Gillies era. But for him, Gibson may never have set foot in Leicester, let alone play more than 300 league and cup games, including two finals, for the club. "I knew Matt and Bert were looking for someone to play on the left alongside Mike Stringfellow, who they had recently signed," said Gibson, now aged 70 and living in Dorset. "There were a number of suggestions but, on seeing them play, Bert wasn't interested. "By chance, he decided to cover a Celtic v Hibernian game at Parkhead. I was playing for Hibs and must have made an impression because, at half-time, Bert phoned Matt and told him 'I've found the player to play alongside Mike Stringfellow'." That was a defining moment and Gibson became a City player in January, 1962. "I want to thank Bert for shaping my destiny. If he hadn't gone to Parkhead where would I have finished up? "Bert was a very special human being and one of the best coaches I've worked with. He never raised his voice in anger and I wish more coaches in the game today were like him, instead of shouting and bawling." Gibson appeared in the 1963 and 1969 FA Cup finals – "the worst two games I ever played for City," he admitted. Recently, he returned to Manchester for a dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of that final. "Although I was the only City player from that team there it was a great night and it was terrific to see so many of the Manchester players again."
Poakey Posted 4 July 2009 Posted 4 July 2009 Missed this a couple of days ago. RIP. Same.My mother inlaw looked after him in a nursing home and used to tell me some of the stories he used to tell her.Sounded like a great man.She handed me the cut out this morning from the merc. RIP Bert
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 5 July 2009 Posted 5 July 2009 Bert was the tops, along with Matt Gillies. Two of the nicest and most clever people the game has ever seen. Between them they produced the best City team ever. He and Matt gelled, and they gelled the team. A, very sad loss. Thanks Bert R.I.P.
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