David Johnson: Former Liverpool & Everton striker dies aged 71

2 years ago 39

David Johnson lifts the European Cup aft Liverpool bushed Real Madrid successful the 1981 final

Former England striker David Johnson, the archetypal antheral to people for some Liverpool and Everton successful the Merseyside derby, has died aged 71.

Johnson, who scored six goals successful 8 appearances for England, had been suffering from pharynx cancer.

He had 2 spells astatine Everton successful betwixt playing for Ipswich Town nether Bobby Robson and Liverpool for Bob Paisley.

In his six years astatine Anfield from 1976 Johnson won 3 league titles and the European Cup successful 1981.

Ex-Liverpool guardant David Fairclough led the tributes to his erstwhile team-mate, penning connected Twitter: "So bittersweet to perceive my large person and Liverpool fable David Johnson has passed distant today.

"Shared truthful galore large moments and memories with 'Jono'. Today is simply a precise bittersweet day. Condolences to each Dave's family. RIP 'Doc'."

Everton confirmed the quality with a connection that read: "Everyone astatine Everton shot nine is saddened to larn of the untimely passing of David 'Doc' Johnson astatine the property of 71. Our thoughts are with David's household and friends astatine this time."

Johnson began his vocation astatine Goodison Park and scored successful the Merseyside derby successful 1971 - past scored for Liverpool successful the lucifer 9 years later.

Only Peter Beardsley has since repeated the feat of scoring for some clubs successful the derby.

From Goodison helium moved to Ipswich successful 1972, helping Robson's broadside triumph the 1973 Texaco Cup - a contention for nine sides successful England, Scotland and Ireland - and scope the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup the pursuing season.

Johnson made his England debut nether Don Revie successful 1975, scoring doubly successful a 2-2 gully against Wales astatine Wembley.

But it was with Liverpool that helium enjoyed the astir success, scoring 78 goals successful 213 appearances aft joining for a club-record interest of £200,000 successful 1976.

Johnson started the European Cup last against Real Madrid successful 1981 but Ian Rush's emergence the pursuing play saw him walk clip connected the seat and helium re-signed for Everton successful August 1982.

He went connected to play for Barnsley, Manchester City, American broadside Tulsa Roughnecks, Preston and had a spell arsenic player-manager astatine Barrow earlier retiring successful 1986.

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