Thanks to Dave Rowntree for many of the player images after 1984.
Can you help? This page is the result of the best endeavours of all concerned. If you spot a mistake or know of facts to add, or have a better photo, please get in touch using 'Contact Us' (top, right).
Back to GoS-DB Hub Find Another Player
DAMIEN JOHNSON
Full Name: Damien Michael Johnson
Born: 18 November 1978
Came from: Birmingham City Went to: Released
First game: 06 February 2010 Last game: 02 May 2010
Appearances: 20 (20/0) Goals: 2
Johnson began his career in his native Northern Ireland with Portadown, before moving to Blackburn Rovers. He progressed through the ranks at Ewood Park and, after a short loan spell at Nottingham Forest, broke into the first team squad. Whilst with Rovers, he made his full international debut for Northern Ireland, having already impressed at under-21 and youth level.
In 2002 Johnson moved to Birmingham City, where he made over 200 appearances. He was named club captain in 2006 and in one of his first games as Blues' skipper threw his armband and shirt to the floor in an emotional outburst after being taken off. That October his jaw was broken in two places in the derby match against West Bromwich Albion, but he ignored the pain to play on until the final whistle.
He signed a two-and-a half-year deal for Paul Mariner’s Argyle in February 2010 and was an ever-present for the remainder of the season but could not help improve the club's dire league position. In July 2010, still an Argyle player, he retired from international football, having earned 56 caps over an eleven-year period.
With stringent financial restrictions in place for the beginning of the 2010-11 campaign, Johnson moved on a season-long loan to Huddersfield Town with Argyle content to get his wage off the books. He established himself as a key member of the Terriers' side but his time in Yorkshire was curtailed after he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in December 2010 and returned to Home Park, at least on paper. After fully recovering from serious injury and having largely recuperated in the north of England, Johnson returned to Huddersfield on loan again at the start of the following season. Shortly after, a financial agreement was reached between the clubs, allowing the termination of his Argyle contract.
He played a major role throughout Town's 2011-12 campaign as Huddersfield gained promotion to the Championship via the play-offs, despite missing his spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out at Wembley. He was offered the chance to stay with the Yorkshire side, but instead opted to sign for Fleetwood Town, who had just been promoted to the Football League. After just over a year at Fleetwood, he left the club by mutual consent in October 2013 and, eager to pursue a coaching career, decided his playing days were over.
Having completed his coaching badges, Johnson went full circle by joining his first port of call in England, Blackburn Rovers, as an academy coach in April 2015.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION
If you can add to this profile, perhaps with special memories, a favourite story or the results of your original research, please contribute here.
APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
Greens on Screen is run as a service to fellow supporters, in all good faith, without commercial or private gain. I have no wish to abuse copyright regulations and apologise unreservedly if this occurs. If you own any of the material used on this site, and object to its inclusion, please get in touch using the 'Contact Us' button at the top of each page.