This one's for the CoWs: Cult Kopite - Craig Johnston pt. 1

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Cult Kopite - Craig Johnston (part 1)

by Paul Doward - Zone Contributor - UK/I

Throughout the history of our illustrious club many a legend has had his name sang on The Kop as the 45,000 strong faithful have afforded their love and affection to some of the greatest players ever to step foot onto a football pitch. Names like Keegan, Hughes, Rush, Dalglish, Barnes, Beardsley, Aldridge and in more recent times Fowler and Gerrard have done more than enough to warrant their places in the steep history that surrounds our great club. What of the lesser remembered players though? The players that wore the Liverbird on their chests yet aren’t quite given the same reverence as some of the names listed above. It’s these players that I’ll be taking a look at on a weekly basis in a bid to educate a generation that may not know or remember them and for those of us that do I’m sure it will offer a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we salute the unsung heroes that waged many a battle in our honour across the fields of Anfield Road.

Photo: Getty Images

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 25^th of June 1960, Craig Johnston’s family relocated back to their Australian homeland not too long after Craig’s birth. It was here that he was raised and he developed his love for our great sport, a love that would develop and shape the future English Division One and European Cup winner. Those medals and honours probably seemed a million miles away from young Craig though as in 1966 at the age of just 6 he contracted Osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone marrow that almost cost the youngster his leg. Thankfully that particular outcome was avoided and Craig Johnston was given the opportunity to continue on the path to realise his dreams. With the aid of his father’s encouragement Johnston managed to get his foot in the door and signed up with Lake Macquarie City FC in New South Wales it was here that the prototype for the future Anfield superstar was made.
Along with his football skills Craig also developed a confidence in himself and along with his fathers’ encouragement, who himself had had trials with Preston North End and Dundee United, wrote to a number of English League clubs seeking the same opportunities that his father had gained. He only got one reply, but it was enough for his family to sell their house in order to fund Craig’s travel costs to England. Jack Charlton was the manager of Middlesbrough at the time and he obviously saw some potential in the young Australian. Craig stayed at the North East club for approximately six months before moving briefly back to his homeland to play for Sydney FC before moving back to Middlesbrough where he was about to receive his first big break.

His first team debut came as a 17 year old in an FA Cup tie against Everton, a side who unbeknownst to him at this time would become his future sworn enemy. He would go onto make his full League debut in February of 1978 helping the Boro to a victory over Birmingham City. It wasn’t long before he would establish himself at the Teesiders and in all played 64 times for them scoring 16 goals in the process. His consistency and tireless energy would eventually attract the bigger clubs and in April of 1981 the biggest club in the country; Liverpool FC came knocking at his door with Bob Paisley at the helm, the club paid £650,000 to secure his services. Despite only being a relatively young 20 years of age he signed on the dotted line and only a few short weeks after his arrival he witnessed his new team-mates defeat Real Madrid in Paris by a single Alan Kennedy goal to nil.

Early on in his Anfield career he witnessed a mixed bag of fortunes. He made bit part appearances for the first half of the 1981/1982 season but when given the opportunity he showed glimpses of his raw potential. Much like Dirk Kuyt these days, Johnston was a willing runner, never stopped working and displayed great battling determination along with courage and strength that meant he quickly became a crowd favourite, so much so that he became affectionately known as ‘Skippy’ on the terraces. His first goal came in a League Cup fourth round replay against Arsenal at Anfield opening the scoring in the first half of extra time and The Reds went onto win by 3 goals to nil. Liverpool went onto retain that trophy and Johnston found himself featuring in everyone of the remaining League games that season in some capacity as his side went onto regain their League Title with Craig netting six goals in the process. It was during this season that Craig received a call from the Australian national side but he refused their invitation choosing instead to represent England at Under 21 and B Team level. He would also resist their advances in 1985 in the hope of receiving a full call up from the England national side.
The following season would be his most productive as a goal scorer, scoring 10 goals in 42 starts as The Reds retained their League Title and won the League Cup and in the following year, under Joe Fagan, Liverpool famously completed the Treble. Craig Johnston just three years after signing for Liverpool FC was a European Cup winner.