Danny Johnson (footballer)

Daniel Johnson (born 28 February 1993) is an English professional footballer, who plays for EFL League Two club Walsall.

Danny Johnson

Johnson playing for Cardiff City in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Daniel Johnson[1]
Date of birth	(1993-02-28) 28 February 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth	Middlesbrough, England
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Walsall
Number	39
Youth career
	Middlesbrough
2010–2011	Hartlepool United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2012	Real Murcia B
2012	Harrogate Town	2	(0)
2012–2013	Billingham Synthonia	17	(9)
2013–2014	Guisborough Town	48	(51)
2014–2015	Cardiff City	0	(0)
2014	→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)	4	(0)
2015	→ Stevenage (loan)	4	(0)
2015–2018	Gateshead	110	(44)
2018–2019	Motherwell	22	(6)
2019–2020	Dundee	19	(5)
2020–2021	Leyton Orient	48	(19)
2021–2023	Mansfield Town	30	(5)
2022–2023	→ Walsall (loan)	22	(12)
2023–	Walsall	33	(7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:00, 21 December 2024 (UTC)

Johnson began his career in the youth academies at home-town club Middlesbrough and Hartlepool United but was released by both clubs without making a first-team appearance. After spells with non-league sides Harrogate Town and Billingham Synthonia, Johnson rose to national prominence after a prolific season with Guisborough Town in the Northern Football League, attracting the attention of several Football League clubs, scoring 59 goals during the 2013–14 season.

His exploits for Guisborough saw him join Football League Championship side Cardiff City the following season. However, he did not make a first-team appearance for the club, spending parts of the season out on loan at Football League Two clubs Tranmere Rovers and Stevenage before being released following the expiration of his contract, signing for Gateshead in July 2015. Johnson moved to Motherwell in 2018, where he spent one year before signing for Dundee in July 2019. In January 2020 he signed for league two club Leyton Orient. While with Mansfield, Johnson would go out on loan to Walsall.

Club career

Early career

Johnson began his career as a youngster with Middlesbrough and later moved into the youth system at Hartlepool United, scoring 21 goals for the club's youth team during the 2010–11 season, but was released in May 2011 without making a first-team appearance. He moved to Spain with Real Murcia before returning to England, spending time on trial with Rochdale before having a brief spell with Harrogate Town, making his debut against Histon, before being released.^[3] He later joined Billingham Synthonia.^[4]

Guisborough Town

In March 2013, Johnson joined Guisborough Town having impressed manager Chris Hardy and scored six goals in nine league appearances at the end of the 2012–13 season. He started the following year in impressive form, scoring six goals in a pre-season friendly against local side Redcar Athletic and added his first competitive hat-trick soon after in a 3–3 draw with Jarrow Roofing in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup.^[4] He went on to enjoy a prolific season at the club, scoring 59 goals in all competitions, helping the side to win the North Riding Senior Cup, scoring the only goal in the final,^[5] a 1–0 win over former club Middlesbrough and finishing top scorer in Division One of the Northern Football League.^[6] At the end of his prolific 2013–14 season, Johnson received a plethora of awards, including the clubs Managers' Player of the Year, the Northern Football League's Young Player of the Year award and BBC Newcastle's Player of the Year award.^[4]

Cardiff City

Johnson's scoring exploits for Guisborough attracted interest from numerous clubs including his former club Middlesbrough, where he had two spells training with the first team,^[7] Huddersfield Town and Carlisle United before eventually signing for Football League Championship side Cardiff City after scoring for the club's development squad during a pre-season tour against FK Sarajevo.^[8] Following his return to professional football, Guisborough manager Chris Hardy commented ""He is an out-and-out goal scorer and more mature now than when he was in the pro game before""^[4]

After spending the opening months of the season in the sides development squad, Johnson signed for Football League Two side Tranmere Rovers on an initial one-month loan deal in October 2014.^[9] He made his professional debut soon after in a 0–0 draw with Mansfield Town on 21 October 2014, playing 71 minutes before being replaced by George Donnelly,^[10] and scored his first professional goal on 11 November in a 2–1 win over Bury in the Football League Trophy.^[11] He made just one more appearance for the club before returning to Cardiff.

After continuing to score regularly for Cardiff's under-21 development squad, Johnson was again loaned out, returning to League Two with Stevenage for an initial one month loan deal on 2 February.^[12] He made one start for the club and three brief substitute appearances without scoring before returning to Cardiff in late March. At the end of the season, Johnson was not offered a new contract with Cardiff and was subsequently released.^[13]

Gateshead

Following his release, Johnson spent time on trial with League Two side York City, appearing in pre-season friendly matches against Leeds United and Middlesbrough. He was offered a further week long trial at the club following this but instead chose to sign for National League side Gateshead,^[14] managed by former Middlesbrough assistant manager Malcolm Crosby, stating that the club had "made him feel wanted from the outset".^[15] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2015–16 season, starting in a 2–1 win over Aldershot Town before being replaced by Ryan Bowman after 61 minutes.^[16] He scored his first goals for the club soon after with a brace against Guiseley during a 2–0 win on 29 August 2015.^[17]

His next goal for the club came three matches later during a 2–1 victory over Eastleigh during which Johnson suffered an injury after a heavy collision with Eastleigh goalkeeper Michael Poke.^[18] After a weak header back to Poke by defender Jamie Turley, Johnson beat the Eastleigh goalkeeper to the ball to score but was caught by a strong follow through by Poke. Johnson suffered a bruised lung as well as muscle damage in his ribs and hips and was stretchered off, later claiming that he believed that he was going to suffer a seizure due to the severity of the collision,^[19] which kept him out for a month.

Motherwell

In June 2018, Johnson signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Motherwell.^[20] He started the season well, scoring goals in high-profile matches, including against one against Rangers,^[21] a double in a 3–0 victory against Aberdeen,^[22] and a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Celtic.^[23] Despite having a goals to games ratio of one in two start in the first half of the season, a change of formation limited his appearances during the second half of the season.^[24]

Dundee

On 26 July 2019, Johnson moved to Scottish Championship side Dundee on a two-year contract.^[25] He scored on his debut for Dundee in a 1–0 victory over Inverness CT in the Scottish League Cup group stages.^[26] Johnson then played a crucial role in the opening game of the league season, scoring two penalties against Dunfermline Athletic to earn his side a point as they came from 2–0 down to draw 2–2,^[27] and he scored once again from the spot in a League Cup tie against Aberdeen in a 2–1 defeat.^[28] In the first Dundee Derby of the season, Johnson had a goal which would have given Dundee the lead, wrongly disallowed for offside, and his side then went on to lose 6–2.^[29] Johnson scored early on in the following match, a 2–1 win over Alloa Athletic.^[30]

Leyton Orient

On 27 January 2020, Johnson signed for EFL League Two side Leyton Orient.^[31] He scored his first goal on 22 February, scoring the last goal in a 2–2 draw with Oldham Athletic.^[32] At the end of the 2020–21 season, Johnson was offered a new contract to remain in East London.^[33]

Mansfield Town

On 10 June 2021, Johnson was announced to have agreed a two-year deal to join Mansfield Town having rejected the offer of a new contract at Orient.^[34][35]

Walsall (loan)

On 23 July 2022, Johnson signed for fellow League Two club Walsall on a six-month loan deal.^[36] He scored a hat trick on his competitive debut when Walsall beat Hartlepool on the first day of the season on July 30.^[37] Johnson would have a very successful short loan spell with Walsall, scoring 15 goals in 30 games. Amid discussion of returning to the Saddlers, Johnson returned to his parent club following the expiry of his loan on 16 January 2023.^[38]

Return to Mansfield

Upon his return to the club, amid claims he was unhappy, Johnson was accused of tying his shoelaces in order to deliberately not celebrate a goal for his side, a claim which he disputed.^[39] On 4 March, he scored his first goal since his recall in a 3–1 victory over AFC Wimbledon,^[40] celebrating by pretending to tie the laces on his boot in front of the travelling fans.^[41]

He was released at the end of the 2022–23 season.^[42]

Walsall

On 28 June 2023, Walsall announced that Danny had signed permanently for Walsall on a two-year deal upon the expiry of his contract on 1 July 2023.^[43] He scored on his second debut in 2-1 loss to Morecambe F.C. He also scored in Walsall's first win in the season over Stockport County^[44]

After struggling with injuries early in the 2024–25 season, Johnson made his mark on the campaign with a late league winner against Bradford City on 14 September.^[45]

International career

In September 2015, Johnson was called up to an England C training camp being held at Warwick University but was forced to withdraw due to injury.^[46] In March 2016, Johnson was placed on the standby list for England C's International Challenge Trophy match against Ukraine.^[47]

Career statistics

As of match played 21 December 2024 ^[2]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Harrogate Town	2012–13	Conference North	2	0	0	0	—		0	0	2	0
Billingham Synthonia	2012–13	NFL - Div 1	17	9	0	0	—		4	0	21	9
Guisborough Town	2012–13[48]	NFL - Div 1	9	6	0	0	—		0	0	9	6
	2013–14[48]	NFL - Div 1	39	45	9	9	—		7	5	55	59
	Total		48	51	9	9	0	0	7	5	64	65
Cardiff City	2014–15[49]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tranmere Rovers (loan)	2014–15[49]	League Two	4	0	0	0	0	0	1[a]	1	5	1
Stevenage (loan)	2014–15[49]	League Two	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Gateshead	2015–16	National League	36	13	1	0	—		4[b]	2	41	15
	2016–17	National League	38	18	1	0	—		1[b]	0	40	18
	2017–18	National League	36	13	2	1	—		8[b]	6	46	20
	Total		110	44	4	1	0	0	13	8	127	53
Motherwell	2018–19[50]	Scottish Premiership	22	6	1	0	5	2	—		28	8
Dundee	2019–20[51]	Scottish Championship	19	5	1	0	2	2	0	0	22	7
Leyton Orient	2019–20[51]	League Two	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	2
	2020–21[52]	League Two	42	17	1	0	2	2	3[c]	1	48	20
	Total		48	19	1	0	2	2	3	1	54	22
Mansfield Town	2021–22	League Two	22	4	1	0	1	0	2[c]	3	26	7
	2022–23	League Two	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
	Total		30	5	1	0	1	0	2	3	34	8
Walsall (loan)	2022–23	League Two	22	12	3	1	2	1	3[c]	1	30	15
Walsall	2023–24	League Two	23	5	2	0	1	0	2[c]	1	28	6
	2024–25	League Two	10	2	1	0	1	0	3[c]	2	15	4
	Total		55	19	6	1	4	1	8	4	73	25
Career total			359	158	23	11	14	6	38	22	434	198

1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
3. Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

Guisborough Town

• North Riding Senior Cup: 2013–14^[5]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Leyton Orient" (PDF). English Football League. p. 37. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
2. Danny Johnson at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
3. "Daniel Johnson". Harrogate Town F.C. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
4. "Danny Johnson leaves Guisborough Town & signs for Cardiff City". Guisborough Town F.C. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
5. Martin Neal (11 August 2014). "Teesside goal machine Danny Johnson signs for Cardiff City". Gazette Live. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
6. "Top Scorers". Northern Football League. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
7. "Boro show and interest in 56-goal Gusborough Town striker Danny Johnson". Gazette Live. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
8. "New striker Danny Johnson is already amongst the goals as he looks to improve on last year's tally of 56 in 51 games". South Wales Echo. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
9. "Cardiff striker Danny Johnson joins on loan". BBC Sport. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
10. "Tranmere 0–0 Mansfield". BBC Sport. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
11. "Bury 1–2 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
12. "Transfer Deadline Day: Stevenage sign Andrade & Johnson". BBC Sport. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
13. "RETAIN LIST 2015/16". Cardiff City F.C. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
14. "Daniel Johnson: Gateshead sign ex-Cardiff City striker". BBC Sport. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
15. "Teesside hotshot Danny Johnson signs for Gateshead". 20 July 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
16. "Aldershot 1–2 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
17. "Guiseley 0–2 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
18. "Eastleigh 1–2 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
19. "Gateshead FC striker Danny Johnson 'thought he was going to have a seizure'". ChronicleLive. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
20. "Danny Johnson: Motherwell sign striker from Gateshead". BBC Sport. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
21. Palmer, Bryn (26 August 2018). "Motherwell 3–3 Rangers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
22. Mitchell, Paul (24 November 2018). "Motherwell 3–0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
23. Mullen, Scott (5 December 2018). "Motherwell 1–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
24. Robertson, Neil (27 July 2019). "New Dundee signing Danny Johnson determined to win promotion for the first time in his career". The Courier. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
25. "Danny Johnson: Dundee sign striker from Motherwell". BBC Sport. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
26. "Dundee 1–0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle". BBC Sport. 28 July 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
27. McLauchlin, Brian (2 August 2019). "Dunfermline Athletic 2–2 Dundee". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
28. McLauchlin, Brian (18 August 2019). "Dundee 1–2 Aberdeen (AET)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
29. Elgott, Jordan (30 August 2019). "Dundee United 6–2 Dundee". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
30. "Dundee 2-1 Alloa Athletic: Jordan McGhee ends winless run for hosts". BBC Sport. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
31. "Danny Johnson: Leyton Orient sign striker from Dundee". BBC Sport. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
32. "Leyton Orient 2-2 Oldham Athletic: Two goals from Zak Dearnley earn Oldham Athletic a draw against Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
33. "2021 Retained List". www.leytonorient.com. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
34. "Stags land prolific goalscorer". www.mansfieldtown.net. 10 June 2021.
35. "Johnson joins the Stags". www.leytonorient.com. 10 June 2021.
36. "Saddlers snap up striker Danny Johnson". www.saddlers.co.uk. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
37. "Walsall v Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
38. "Danny Johnson returns to Mansfield Town following expiry of his loan". www.saddlers.co.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
39. Lomas, John (7 February 2023). "Returning Mansfield Town striker Danny Johnson aiming to prove a point and dismisses claims he is unhappy". Chad. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
40. "AFC Wimbledon 1–3 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
41. Lmas, John (7 March 2023). "LOMAS ON STAGS: Is it time for Danny Johnson to star for the Stags at last?". Chad. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
42. "Mansfield Town confirm retained list". www.mansfieldtown.net. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
43. "Danny Johnson returns to the Poundland Bescot Stadium!". www.addlers.co.uk. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
44. "Walsall 2-1 Stockport County". BBC Sport. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
45. "Walsall 2-1 Bradford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
46. "Gateshead's Danny Johnson won't give up on England C ambitions". Newcastle Press. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
47. "A great honour for me – Johnson". Gateshead FC. 9 March 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
48. "Season archive". Guisborough Town F.C. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
49. "Games played by Danny Johnson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
50. "Games played by Danny Johnson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
51. "Games played by Danny Johnson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
52. "Games played by Danny Johnson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 March 2021.

External links

• Danny Johnson at Soccerbase