‘LEE IS WORTH MORE AS A BOSS!’ – GARY

BRISTOL City boss Lee Johnson is carving out a reputation as a young up-andcoming manager – and dad Gary is as proud as punch. Johnson Snr, a former Robins boss, is now in charge at National League South pacesetters Torquay, but he’s keeping a close eye on Lee’s progress. “Lee has been very successful,” says Gary, 63. “He’s never got sacked, he’s always moved up – he’s been worth more as a manager than he was as a player! “I swear it was a shock when he first went into it. He rang me up and said, ‘Dad, I think I’ve got the Oldham job’. “I said, ‘What are you on about got the Oldham job?’ “He said, ‘I didn’t say anything to you, but I went for an interview and it went well’. “I said, ‘Well, look, they will have interviewed ten to 15 people, Lee, so don’t get excited’. He was 31 and he got the job. “He’s his own man, Lee. You give him the advice if he asks for it. That’s very rare because he likes to do it himself. “But if you want to give him advice when he’s not asking, he’s not happy! “We respect each other for what we’re doing. You respect the whole thing because there’s a lot of work you have to do.” The Johnson family will be hoping for a double celebration come the end of the season with Bristol City and Torquay both flying high. “You both love the game and in a morbid way you enjoy the downs as much as the ups because you believe in yourselves,” added vastly experienced manager Gary. “I’ve probably quoted a few things where people go, ‘I heard Lee say that!’ “But he nicks all my sayings and gets more publicity so everyone thinks I’m copying him! It’s terrible…”