Merseyside hero ‘Doc’ dies aged 71

FORMER England striker David Johnson, the first player to score for both Everton and Liverpool in Merseyside derbies, has died aged 71. Affectionately known as ‘The Doc’, Johnson played eight times for England and scored six goals, including two in a 3-1 win against world champions Argentina in 1980. Phil Thompson, his ex-Liverpool and England team-mate, led the tributes. ‘it’s a very sad day,’ he said. ‘The Doc was so popular among the lads. That performance against Argentina at Wembley, he got a standing ovation. he wasn’t too happy being taken off by Ron Greenwood mind, as not many England strikers would be if you were on a hat-trick against Argentina.’ Despite growing up as a Liverpool fan Johnson joined Everton as a youngster and scored the winner on his derby debut in 1971. Bill shankly wanted to sign him, but Everton sold him to ipswich instead. he earned his first England cap while there and scored twice on his debut against Wales in a 2-2 draw. Liverpool eventually signed him in 1976 for £200,000 and he quickly earned his ‘Doc’ nickname. ‘Johnno used to bring a bag in every day full of headache tablets and anti-inflammatories,’ said Thompson. ‘Terry McDermott was rifling through it one day and said: “it’s like a doctor’s bag, this”, and it stuck.’ Johnson’s goal against Everton in 1978 made him the first player to score for both clubs in a derby — a feat only Peter Beardsley has replicated. he won four league titles, two League Cups and three European Cups with Liverpool before Everton re-signed him for £100,000 in 1982. Johnson played for Barnsley, Manchester City, Tulsa Roughnecks and Preston, as well as having a spell as playermanager at Barrow, before taking up radio commentary.