His younger brother Alfie Johnson also played for Balmain.
Johnson made his first grade debut in 1929 for North Sydney.
Johnson played for Balmain in the 1936 grand final defeat against Eastern Suburbs.
In 1939, Johnson was a member of the Balmain team which claimed the premiership that year defeating South Sydney 33–4 in the grand final at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Johnson played two more seasons for Balmain before retiring at the end of the 1941.