Johnson’s very much at ‘home’
TORQUAY boss Gary Johnson is hoping to savour one of his best-ever Father’s Day presents – a return to the EFL.
The Gulls, who the experienced Johnson, 65, has restored from the depths of the National League South to the brink of League Two, face Hartlepool in today’s National League play-off final in what could be considered the football family home of Bristol City’s Ashton Gate.
While Gary Johnson was in charge of Bristol City for four-and-a-half years, son Lee Johnson followed suit for virtually the same amount of time.
Now, as boss of League One Sunderland, Lee will be back at Ashton Gate with his fingers crossed that dad Gary can complete the seventh promotion of a managerial career.
“I’m sure that
Hartlepool must think we’ve bunged the National
League a few quid to have the play-off final at Ashton Gate,” laughed Johnson.
“Obviously, we would all have liked the game to be at Wembley, but Bristol City is the next best thing.
“The stadium is a miniWembley with the red seats, the shape of it, the ambience – I’m well happy. I also live just a stone’s throw from it.
“It does feel like a bit of a home game, but we’ve got to perform as if we were at home.
“All my football was before the stadium was modernised. It was Lee, who, when he was manager there, helped with the plans for the revamped stadium and new training ground.
“There’s definitely a family feel about the place. Lee will be there to watch our game.
“He probably doesn’t even know it’s Father’s
Day, but, yes, it would be nice Father’s Day present to see his old man win promotion.”