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Albert Johanneson

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Albert Johanneson - click for larger image

Position Left winger
Born 13 Mar 1940, Johannesburg (South Africa)
Height 170 cm
Weight 65 kg
International Caps none

Club From To Apps Goals Sold for
Leeds United 01 Apr 1961 01 Jul 1970 200 68 £0
York City 01 Jul 1970 01 Jun 1972 26 3  

Leeds Career League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other
Season Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1960 - 1961 5   0   0   0   0  
1961 - 1962 13 2 0   1 1 0   0  
1962 - 1963 41 13 3 1 0   0   0  
1963 - 1964 37 13 2   2 2 0   0  
1964 - 1965 30 9 5 2 1 1 0   0  
1965 - 1966 12 2 1   0   2 1 0  
1966 - 1967 22 7 2 1 2   2 4 0  
1967 - 1968 8(1) 2 0   1 1 1(1) 3 0  
1968 - 1969 0(1) 1 1 1 1 1 0   0  
1969 - 1970 2   0   0   0   0  
Total 170(2) 49 14 5 8 6 5(1) 8 0  

Jabba's Comments

Massively talented winger with great pace and a decent shot too. He made major contributions to Leeds' climb out of the Second Division under Don Revie and became the first black player to appear in a Wembley FA Cup Final when Leeds faced Liverpool in 1965. He was an obvious target for racist abuse from the opposition fans and players, and he sometimes went missing from the game - but his lack of confidence was usually down to some over-robust challenges from the opposition rather than comment from the terraces. Injuries plagued his later years at Leeds, and with the emergence of the (equally injury-prone) Eddie Gray, Albert was edged out and moved on to York before retiring from the game. In later years he developed an alcohol problem, and although he made several recoveries and received support from fans and former colleagues he died in 1995.

d.r.a.newbould says: I saw Albert play when I was a student at York at the end of the 1960s, early 1970s.

Ian Johnson says: Every time he got the ball we all shouted "come on Albert". I don't recall any particular incident in a match but he was very nippy and could beat a defender with his turns and speed. I am glad to read that he had help from the club and supporters in his dark days and only sorry it turned out so sadly.

David Edge says: My Father gave me strong memories of Albert Johanneson by talking about him and John Charles all the time. I wish I had been there...

Dennis G says: racism killed Albert..........wake up. Millwall fan (black) who understands.... Long live tuth.

Sean Vaughan says: Albert was my first fotball hero.I saw him play in 1964 when Leeds returned to the first division.The barracking of black players was awful through to the nineties.It must never be allowed to happen again. He would have been a real superstar tday when quality players are much more protected from the aggressive players. Wingers like Albert and later Eddie Gray were literally kicked off the pitch.

Paul Eubanks says: As a seven year old black Leeds fan in 1965, my father took me to Elland Road to watch Leeds, hence that was where I watched Albert for the first time. He was amazing. As an adult I've read so many books about Leeds players and the club and it's incredible to read about his skill and ability. Unfortunately he hit the bottle, but lets remember the skill he had and how he shone, when it is documented that he brought the fans back to Elland Road in the early 60's. I have an exhibition commemorating Albert's historical career. If anyone would like their thoughts and comments added about Albert exhibited in the exhibition please send them with your name and the city/town where you live to albert.legend@ntlworld.com I'll then inform you the next time the exhibition is on display.If Albert was playing today he would be priceless.

Brian Robson says: I attended my first match i t was probably 1964 and it was Sunderland v Leeds i can remember seeing a black player it was probably Albert, and i was appalled to here the abuse from the Sunderland fans, here we are 40 years later and as a Newcastle fan with Boyer and Woodgate in our Ranks we still have racism to contend with.

Stewart McCartney says: Albert was one of my childhood heroes, as I stood at the corner of the Bootham End with my mate Phil. When my mum bought me a subutteo team in Maroon in 1972 for Christmas, I immmediately painted the number 11 black in his honour. God rest his spirited and loving soul.

Paul Rowson says: As a huge Leeds fan from 1958 on I was sad to see Albert drinking alone - although looking quite smart in a brown suit- in the Mexborough (now the Three Hullits) in Chapel Allerton. I remember him scoring agsinst Newcastle at the Scratching Shed end after beating three players in a very muddy penalty box. I my Youth I had no idea what he had to overcome in terms of culture and racism and only later realised how good he was

Sophie Bourne says: Albert Johanneson was an outstanding player. He was shot down by rascism. that led him to drink which killed him. he died pennyless whereas if you look at the footballers of today all they have to do is kick a ball and they have thousands of pounds in their pockets. Rascism should be kicked out of football forever!

Jamie Wright says: i'm doing a project on albert johanneson and i am amazed to see he's one of the best players i've ever seen

Tony Chabot says: In my final two years at primary school ('61-63) I used to get free tickets for Leeds United home games from my headmaster, Michael Healey; he was, I believe, coach for Leeds United Juniors. The strongest memory I have is of Albert Johanneson charging down the wing. To a 10-year-old viewing from below pitch height the sight of such a large man steaming along at high speed was tremendous, but it was the sound that was most memorable: the pounding of feet and the explosive expiration of breath. Magnificent!

Robert Angelini says: Albert Johanneson's nephew Carl Johanneson (15-1, 8KOs) will be boxing in Wembley Arena,London (vs Carl Greaves of Nottinghamon) March 20th, 2004. Carl was inpired to box by Albert and professeses Albert as his driving force. Support Carl if you can on 20 March in London.

Robert Angelini says: Carl Johanneson improved his record to 16-1, 9KOs after defeating WBF Super-Feather Carl Greaves at Wembley Arena, London on March 20th, 2004. Thanks for supporting Albert's nephew Carl in his endeavors. I'm sure Albert would have been proud. I now we are in the USA and in Carl's hometown...LEEDS!

John Durkin says: i am Carl Johannesons' manager and would like to thank everyone for their support for carl in his quest for world championship glory. Carl always talks about his uncle and the positive effect he had on him, Please do not forget the Albert Johanneson legacy and lets improve race relations in sport

Twiggster says: My memories are of a streak of black lightening flying around the pitch at E.R. in the 60's....we Leeds fans threw him bananas from the Shed, but we didn't KNOW it was racist back then, as blacks were far and few between - and even less in football. We thought he liked them, in our ignorance. He would duly pick them up and bring them to the dugout. My last memory of him was that he was lying injured on the pitch, as Eddie Gray danced around 7 Burnley defenders AND Albert, to score the best goal I ever saw at E.R. If racism wins, football is the loser.


Have your say

Did you see Albert Johanneson play? Did you meet him in a pub, go to school with him, decorate his house or buy a motor from him? If you've got any comments or stories about Albert Johanneson on or off the pitch, just fill in the form below and (provided they're not blatantly libellous) I'll add them to this page. And just a quick note to the spammers who try to add their links to this page by attempting to get round the client-side validation: don't bother - the server side does similar checks and throws your garbage straight into the bit bucket.

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