Tributes to former Warrington full-back Brian Johnson

TRIBUTES are being made following the death of former Warrington Wolves full-back and Coach Brian Johnson, who has died in Australia following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The popular full-back was Head Coach at the club from 1988 to 1996 and led Warrington to a Challenge Cup Final in 1990 against Wigan at Wembley.

Johnson, aged 59, joined Warrington as a player in 1985 from St George in Australia, playing more than 100 games including in the Premiership Final victory over Halifax at Elland Road in 1986 – scoring a memorable try.

Fans and former players are posting various tributes on social media.

Former Wolves’ winger Mark Forster posted on Facebook: “So sorry to here about the passing of Brian Johnson. Top player/coach and an all round guy who will be sadly missed. Thoughts for Karen Johnson and the boys. RIP mate from the Forsters.”

Following the announcement Warrington Wolves released the following statement.

It is with great sadness that Warrington Wolves learned of the passing of former full-back and coach Brian Johnson, who died on Monday 11 January. He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. Brian who had been suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease was 59.

Brian was born in Dapto a suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. He played for the local junior club and was selected for the New South Wales Country team in 1978. He then joined St George in 1979 and was at full-back in their Grand Final winning side that year. He scored a try as the Harry Bath coached Dragons defeated Canterbury 17-13.

He developed into an exciting attacking player who was a frequent try-scorer from full-back. In six seasons at St George he scored 54 tries in 144 appearances. In 1980 he was the Dally M Fullback of the year.

He joined Warrington in September 1985 and in only his second game for the club scored a spectacular 70 yard try. This was the opening score of the Lancashire Cup Final, which Warrington lost to Wigan. By the end of his first season at Wilderspool Brian was scoring in Warrington’s Premiership Final win over Halifax. He once again scored a long range spectacular try, after coming on as a substitute.

He returned to Australia at the end of the season and played 12 matches for Eastern Suburbs, scoring two tries.

Now 30 Brian returned to Wilderspool and made 51 consecutive appearances at full-back. That spell included three finals, all unfortunately lost to Wigan. They were the 1986 Lancashire Cup Final, 1987 Premiership Final and the 1987 John Player Final.

Such was Brian’s attacking prowess that he scored a record 25 tries from full-back during the 1986/7 season, in which he made 39 appearances.

At the end of the 1987/8 season Brian retired. His final appearance was as a substitute in the Premiership semi-final loss at Widnes on 8 May 1988. Brian made 103 appearances for The Wire, including 3 as a substitute and scored 48 tries.

By the autumn of 1987 Brian was helping with the coaching as an assistant to Tony Barrow. When Tony left in November 1988 Brian was a popular replacement.

As coach Johnson guided Warrington to two trophies the Lancashire Cup in 1989 and Regal Trophy in 1991. He also took Warrington to Wembley in 1990 and the 1995 Regal Trophy final, when yet again Warrington lost to Wigan.

In 1993/4 Warrington finished top of the league for a day after beating Sheffield, before Wigan’s defeat of Oldham gave them the title on points difference.

In January 1996 Brian resigned as coach after a humiliating 80-0 defeat at St Helens in the Regal Trophy semi-final. This brought the curtain down on a 10-year career at Wilderspool, three as a player and seven as a coach. Brian was always popular with fans and players alike.

Brian and his family returned to Australia and he took up teaching. His skills were not lost to Rugby League and he became head coach of the Australian Institute of Sport Rugby League team. He returned to the UK many times bringing over his young teams of future Rugby League stars. He always made sure that he popped into Wilderspool and the The Halliwell Jones Stadium to see his friends at Warrington.

“The club and Players’ Association pass on their condolences to Brian’s wife Karen and two sons Brett and Liam.”

Brian Johnson leading out the team at Wembley in 1980 Picture Eddie Whitham

Johnson (back row far right) with the Premiership winning team which featured greats like Les Boyd, Kevin Tamati and Andy Gregory. Picture Eddie Whitham