Barry Johnston (footballer)

Barry Johnston
Personal information
Date of birth (1979-10-28) 28 October 1979[1]
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2002 William Carey Crusaders
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2000 Cliftonville ? (?)
2002–2006 Coleraine 82 (2)
2006–2009 Cliftonville 83 (3)
2009 → Shamrock Rovers (loan) 4 (0)
2009–2010 Glenavon 15 (0)
2010–2015 Cliftonville 239 (15)
2015–2016 Carrick Rangers 25 (0)
Managerial career
2022–2025 Lisburn Distillery
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Barry Johnston (born 28 October 1979) is a retired Northern Irish footballer and manager.

Playing career

After serving apprenticeships at Celtic Boys under Jim Heaney, in 1999 Johnston joined Cliftonville's U18.[2] Although he believed he would have preferred becoming a winger, the coach Heaney considered his best position was a defensive sweeper or right back. Johnston suffered a leg injury, which almost terminated his career and which left him with nine screws and a steel plate anchored to his marrow. In 2000, Johnston took a leave from football and spent a two-year scholarship in the United States in New Orleans with William Carey College.[2] After returning from the United States, he came back playing football at Coleraine.[2] He stayed there for four years, reaching two Irish Cup Finals in 2003 and 2004 against Glentoran, winning the first one.[2]

Johnston moved back to Cliftonville in January 2006.[3] He lost another Irish Cup final in May 2009 against Crusaders.[4]

In 2009, he signed a loan for Shamrock Rovers after impressing in friendly appearances against Newcastle and Hibernians,[5] making his competitive debut as a substitute in a win over Derry City at Tallaght Stadium.[6][7] Johnston returned to Northern Ireland to sign for Glenavon in December 2009.[8]

He then signed for Cliftonville for the third time in September 2010.[9] Johnston scored Cliftonville's equaliser against The New Saints in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League.[10]

In July 2015, Johnston moved to newly promoted Carrick Rangers.[11] Johnston moved due to a knee injury which prevented him from playing as much on artificial turf.[12]

Coaching career

Johnston retired in 2016 and joined the Cliftonville staff in March 2018.[13]

In June 2022 Johnston was appointed manager of NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Lisburn Distillery[14]

On 10 March 2025, Johnston departed the club. [15]

Honours

Coleraine

Cliftonville

References

  1. ^ "B. Johnston". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Player profile - Barry Johnston". Extratime.ie. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Johnston returns to Cliftonville". BBC News. 13 January 2006. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Dickson goal seals Crues cup win". 9 May 2009. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  5. ^ "Report - Rovers 1 Hibernian FC 0". Shamrock Rovers FC website. 27 July 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  6. ^ "Report - Rovers 2 Derry City 1". Shamrock Rovers FC website. 2 August 2009. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  7. ^ "Barry Johnston - Shamrock Rovers - LOI Premier". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  8. ^ http://www.cliftonvillefc.net/news_johnston_151209.html
  9. ^ http://www.cliftonvillefc.net/news_johnston_010910.html
  10. ^ "The New Saints 1-1 Cliftonville". Cliftonville FC website. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  11. ^ "Barry Johnston: The midfielder who will always bleed red". Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Barry Johnston enjoying Carrick Rangers surroundings". 26 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Johnston says it was 'no brainer' to take up coaching role with Cliftonville". 20 March 2018. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  14. ^ http://lisburn-distillery.net/barry-johnston/
  15. ^ https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/northern-ireland/third-irish-league-managerial-departure-in-matter-of-days-as-former-cliftonville-star-resigns-with-immediate-effect-5025442
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