Barry Johnston (footballer)
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 October 1979[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Position | 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.
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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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]