[1][2] Despite making his league debut in March 1930 in a home game against Bolton Wanderers, Johnson was seen as a slow developer and had to wait until the 1934–35 season before he could begin to establish himself in the first-team, only becoming a full-time professional in 1935.
[1] With the outbreak of World War II Johnson remained with United until 1941 while working in a reserved occupation, playing regularly in the wartime leagues as well as making guest occasional appearances for Stockport County, Sheffield Wednesday and Chesterfield.
[1] After returning with an ankle injury from active duty 1943, Johnson played no football until 1946, by which time he was in dispute with United over his contract.
[1] Johnson was born in the Ecclesfield area of Sheffield, and educated at Barnsley Grammar School.
[1] At the outset of World War II, Johnson became an electrician at Whitwell Colliery, but then joined the RAF in 1940.