The Club are saddened to hear of the death of former Manager Bert Johnson who died last week at a nursing home in Evington, Leicestershire at the age of 93.
William Herbert (Bert) Johnson was born in Stockton-on-Tees on 4th June 1916. A wing-half with incredible skill, he was spotted playing for Spennymoor United by a scout from First Division Charlton Athletic, but his move south was hi-jacked by the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
Postings with his regiment though saw him make over 100 'guest' appearances for Bolton Wanderers, as well as turning out for Wolves and Middlesbrough. These led to him gaining two international caps for England against Switzerland and France in 1946.
It was to be seven years before he finally made his debut for Charlton. His time at the Valley included two consecutive appearances in the FA Cup Final at Wembley. A 4-1 defeat against Derby County in 1946 was followed by a 1-0 win over Burnley a year later, and he was fondly remembered as being the last survivor to play in both games.
After 162 appearances and one goal, Bert left the Valley to become player-manager at Bexleyheath and Welling. Two years later in October 1955 he was appointed to the same role by the Board of Cambridge United.
It was a real coup for United to attract a 'big name' into the managerial position. Bert used his contacts to attract a number of ex-League players to the Abbey Stadium. These included Brian Moore from West Ham whose prowess as a goalscorer included 68 goals in one season. Many of these goals came from crosses supplied by England International Wilf Mannion.
Bert was to stay at the Club for four seasons. During this time the team improved its position in the Eastern Counties League each year. The culmination was runner-up spot achieved in 1958 (the same as CRC did this year) and United made the step up to the Southern League South East Section. It was an important move for the Club, which laid the way towards becoming one of the top Non-League teams in the 1960s.
Bert offered his resignation in June 1959 following his appointment as Chief Scout at Leicester City, and he was at the Filbert Street club for nine years, mainly as Chief Coach to Manager Matt Gillies. When the latter was sacked in 1968, the two of them moved to Nottingham Forest.
He became youth team manager and is credited as being responsible for the development of such players as Martin O'Neill, John Robertson and Tony Woodcock. There followed a spell as Zambia youth manager, scout at Southampton and then general manager at Walsall until retirement in 1981.
His funeral was held in Wigstone, Leicestershire on Monday 6th July. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
Brian Attmore
Pictured: Bert Johnson (far right) presenting a ball to Brian Moore on the left
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