Josiah Johnson

For the American politician, see Josiah S. Johnston.

Josiah Johnson

Personal information
Date of birth	(1939-07-27) 27 July 1939 (age 85)
Place of birth	Botaw, Liberia
Position(s)	Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	Youth Leaders
	Connections
1959–1971	Barrolle
International career
1958–1971	Liberia
Managerial career
1971–1978	Liberia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Josiah Nils Johnson (born 27 July 1939) is a Liberian former football player, manager, and administrator, who played for and managed the Liberian national side.[1] He played as a midfielder.[2] He was also a presidential security guard and politician.

Career

Johnson was born on 27 July 1939 in Botaw.[3] The family moved to Monrovia, and he began playing football for Youth Leaders.[3] He then moved to Connections, where he made his international debut in 1958.[3] He then moved to Barrolle in 1959, staying there until 1971, when he began his coaching career.[3] During his time with Barolle he trained with and worked for the Special Security Service, the Presidential security team.[3]

He trained as a coach in West Germany, and then became head coach of the national team.[3] He was replaced as head coach by German Bert Trautmann in 1978.[3] Johnson remained with the national team set-up to assist Trautmann.[3] In the 1980s he moved into football administration, and also served as Deputy Minister of Sports.[3]

Personal life

He is the father of national team player Dulee Johnson.[4]

References

1. Julu M. Johnson, Jr. "JNJ In Sympathy With Coach Hey". Liberia Soccer. Archived from the original on 4 April 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
2. Jackson, Omari (17 May 2018). "Former Lone Star Goalkeeper Wants Audience with President Weah".
3. "The argument to honour a Liberian football legend". 19 March 2015.
4. Chris Beattie & Kent Mensah (7 April 2008). "AIK star Dulee Johnson maintains Birmingham ambition". Tribal Football. Archived from the original on 13 April 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2008.