The 34-year-old coach, who describes himself as ‘a bit of a goalkeeping gypsy’ has travelled the world doing what he loves.
The Essex native started his coaching journey in America, with the now defunct Crystal Palace Baltimore, before a two- year spell in Non-League with Chelmsford City.
This was then followed up with a year out in India with Pune, before returning to England and working with Braintree, Boreham Wood, Gillingham and Dagenham & Redbridge.
Johnson has also worked at West Ham Women, before coming back into the men’s game to join the Daggers after former manager, Peter Taylor enquired about his services in September 2018.
“I had the chance to come out of women’s football and go back to the men’s game with Peter Taylor at Dagenham. It was an opportunity to work with the former England U21 Manager, the man that gave David Beckham the England captaincy, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” he said.
“It was a difficult decision to leave West Ham, Matt Beard has an exciting team and they’re going in a positive direction. I just had the hunger to return and coach men’s football and Dagenham gave me the opportunity to join a good club that has aspirations of getting back into the football league.”
Coaching Badges
Having never played at a pro-level, despite having trials at the likes of QPR in his youth, Johnson has a wealth of coaching experience despite only being 34. The Essex native is also taking steps to improve as a coach.
“I’m nearing the completion of my UEFA A License which I have been working on with the Scottish FA. It’s been a massive learning experience for me, seeing the way that UEFA are looking for the role of a goalkeeping coach to develop going forward and seeing how you’re very much a big part of the coaching group rather than just taking the goalkeepers away from the rest of the players.
The role of the goalkeeper coach is evolving all of the time. Working under Daryl McMahon, who is a young and modern head coach, he includes you in the conversations about the goalkeepers, but also about the team as a whole.
Previous managers that I have worked under at other clubs that are a little old school didn’t really involve me in the conversation all that much,” he said.
American Influence
Johnson joined the Club around the same time as the takeover by Trinity Sports Holdings, an American consortium that involves former Everton & Manchester United goalkeeper, Tim Howard, but says that the US shot-stopper doesn’t have any influence on the Daggers goalkeepers.
“Some people might think that because Tim Howard is involved at the club, that he has some sort of input on the goalkeepers. Tim is playing for the Memphis team back in America that the owners co-own. In terms of having anything to do with training, no, but it’s nice to have somebody with that experience at the top level to lean on for advice if needed.”
The advice from the U.S icon hasn’t been needed thus far, with Daggers shot-stopper and number one, Elliot Justham consistently putting in superb performances between the sticks.
The 29-year-old has made 125 appearances for the East London club, racking in praise from many and even attracting interest from clubs in League One. Johnson believes that his goalkeeper could play at that level if the opportunity came around.
“I think that Elliot is the best goalkeeper outside the football league and people might say that you’re only saying that because you work with him, but I’ve seen enough of the goalkeepers in the National League and the leagues above to formulate that opinion. There are some really good goalkeepers out there in the National League, but he is the best.
“I think he could play at League One level, but he’s happy at Dagenham and is under contract for the foreseeable future. We’re fortunate to have such a fantastic goalkeeper who is really consistent in their performances,” he added.
Lockdown Regime
However, with the Coronavirus pandemic bringing football to a standstill, the Daggers have not played since a 1-2 home defeat against AFC Fylde on the 10th March. Johnson has opted to not put his two goalkeepers, Justham and 19-year-old Josh Strizovic through any strenuous training regimes whilst at home.
“We haven’t done a lot during the lockdown with the goalkeepers. It’s a very strange time for everybody and I think there’s a lot of pressure on people to be doing something. I’ve seen things online about using this time wisely to learn new things, which I have no problem with. But there are also people out there who will be struggling mentally with things and just getting through the day is enough.
“Elliot has kids and his wife is working, so he’s got to look after his children, so I’ve left them alone. I still keep in touch with them and the club has given them fitness regimes to keep them in good shape. We’ve had a couple of zoom calls but that was purely to have a laugh with each other and stay connected. I trust Elliot & Josh enough that they don’t need me constantly checking up on them,” he said.
With football currently suspended, Johnson will be hoping that both of his goalkeepers will be raring to go ahead of the new National League season, which could commence at a delayed date, rather than in early August as usual.
- Images courtesy of Dagenham & Redbridge FC
