SADNESS

Glenavon is saddened to learn of the passing of its former player, Sammy Johnston. Sammy was one of the most talented and popular members of the mid-nineties’ squad. In the 1996-97 season he won Irish Cup and Coca Cola Floodlit Cup winners’ medals. He also played in other major finals and in European competitions.

The Glasgow-born midfielder put pen to paper for Glenavon in July 1994. He was 27 years old. He had started his career as a schoolboy winger with Rangers. Despite his natural ability, the coaches at Ibrox told him that he was too small and released him at the age of 15. He was not deterred in his ambition to become a professional footballer and subsequently played for Saint Johnstone (1983-1990), Ayr United (1990-91), Partick Thistle (1991-93), Ballymena United (1993) and Stranraer (1993-94).

When Sammy joined Glenavon, he did so on a two-month trial. However, he very quickly convinced manager Alan Fraser that he was a valuable addition and signed a longer-term contract. He spent three seasons at Mourneview Park. He usually flew in from Scotland on a Thursday afternoon and caught a flight home on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning. He was universally liked for his warm, optimistic outlook and pleasant manner.

Although not blessed with pace, he had two great feet and an abundance of football intelligence. Whilst usually the midfield orchestrator, he frequently made penetrating runs from deep positions to get on the end of crosses or through balls. In the 1994-95 campaign he scored 15 goals. The following year he found the net 13 times. That tally included the winner in Glenavon’s 1-0 1995-96 UEFA Cup Preliminary Round success against Hafnarfjordur. He scored nine times in his final season, including a brilliant goal in the 5-0 Irish Cup semi-final demolition of Omagh Town.

The most controversial moment of his Glenavon career came on Boxing Day 1996 when he was sent off in the first half of the derby fixture against Portadown. Referee Alan Snoddy issued him with a second yellow card after he clashed with Kevin Bain. The Carryduff official viewed his fall to the ground as a dive. Sammy fiercely disputed this interpretation. Nonetheless, the ten men won the match – watched by over 5,000 spectators – 1-0.

After leaving Glenavon in the summer of 1997, Sammy had short spells with Finn Harps, Coleraine and Patrick Thistle. In retirement he looked back on his three seasons at Mourneview Park as amongst the most enjoyable of his career.

Club President Gordon Irwin kept in touch with the Glasgow man and plans to travel to Scotland for his funeral. “Sammy was an absolute gentleman,” he said. “He was both a great player and a great ambassador for our club. We were friends for over 30 years. I am devastated at the news of his passing.”

Johnston was immensely proud of – and often talked about – his younger brother Allan, the 18-times capped Hearts, Sunderland and Rangers midfielder.

Sammy made 117 appearances for Glenavon and scored 37 goals.

He is survived by wife Annmarie and children Stephanie and Matthew.

Be Just and Fear Not.