Johnny Williamson
Encyclopedia
Johnny Williamson is a former footballer
who played as a striker
for Manchester City
and Blackburn Rovers
in the 1950s.
Williamson made his Manchester City debut on 1 April 1950 in a 4–1 defeat against Arsenal
. He spent the next few years on the fringes of the first team, playing more than half the first team games in only one season, 1953–54, when along with Billy Spurdle
, he was Manchester City's joint top goalscorer in with 12 goals.
In 1955 Williamson was playing in the reserves when a new tactic was tried out at the behest of Williamson and Ken Barnes
. Inspired by the Hungarian team which had beaten England 6–3 at Wembley, Williamson was deployed as a deep-lying striker in an attempt to draw the opposing centre-half out of position. The tactic worked well, and for the start of the 1954–55
the first-team began to use the tactic, with Don Revie
as the deep-lying forward. As a result the tactic became known as the Revie Plan
. On occasions when Revie was unavailable Williamson played the role, but made only nine appearances, and was transferred to Blackburn at the end of the season. He did not make much of an impact at Blackburn, making only nine appearances, in which he scored three goals.
In 1959 Williamson signed for Hyde United and played in the Cheshire County League. Earlier he had played for Ashton United in the Lancashire Combination.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
for Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
and Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in the 1950s.
Williamson made his Manchester City debut on 1 April 1950 in a 4–1 defeat against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. He spent the next few years on the fringes of the first team, playing more than half the first team games in only one season, 1953–54, when along with Billy Spurdle
Billy Spurdle
William Spurdle is a former football player, who played on the right wing.-Playing career:Spurdle played for Manchester City F.C. between 1949 and 1956 making 160 appearances and scoring 32 goals, including an appearance in the 1955 FA Cup Final...
, he was Manchester City's joint top goalscorer in with 12 goals.
In 1955 Williamson was playing in the reserves when a new tactic was tried out at the behest of Williamson and Ken Barnes
Ken Barnes (footballer)
Kenneth Herbert Barnes was an English footballer. He played as a half back for Manchester City and Wrexham. On the books of Birmingham City as a youth, Barnes began his football career at amateur level...
. Inspired by the Hungarian team which had beaten England 6–3 at Wembley, Williamson was deployed as a deep-lying striker in an attempt to draw the opposing centre-half out of position. The tactic worked well, and for the start of the 1954–55
1954-55 in English football
The 1954–1955 season was the 75th season of competitive football in England, from August 1954 to May 1955:-Overview:* Chelsea win the League Championship for the first time.* Newcastle United win the FA Cup....
the first-team began to use the tactic, with Don Revie
Don Revie
Donald George 'Don' Revie, OBE, , was an English footballer who played for Leicester City, Hull City, Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United as a deep-lying centre forward. After managing Leeds United he managed England from 1974 until 1977...
as the deep-lying forward. As a result the tactic became known as the Revie Plan
Revie Plan
The Revie Plan was a tactical system in association football used by Manchester City in the 1950s. The system was named after Manchester City player Don Revie, who had the most important role in it....
. On occasions when Revie was unavailable Williamson played the role, but made only nine appearances, and was transferred to Blackburn at the end of the season. He did not make much of an impact at Blackburn, making only nine appearances, in which he scored three goals.
In 1959 Williamson signed for Hyde United and played in the Cheshire County League. Earlier he had played for Ashton United in the Lancashire Combination.