Thanks to Dave Rowntree for many of the player images after 1984.
Can you help? This page is the result of the best endeavours of all concerned. If you spot a mistake or know of facts to add, or have a better photo, please get in touch using 'Contact Us' (top, right).
Back to GoS-DB Hub Find Another Player
REDA JOHNSON
Born: 21 March 1988
Came from: Amiens, France Went to: Sheffield Wednesday
First game: 22 August 2009 Last game: 01 January 2011
Appearances: 44 (40/4) Goals: 2
Johnson started his career in the youth set-up of hometown club Olympique de Marseille before moving to FC Gueugnon, but did not make an appearance in two years with the club. Joining Amiens he played only occasionally over the next two seasons before he was released. During his time with Amiens he chose to play international football for Benin, his father's country of birth, having also considered Algeria, for whom he qualified through his mother, and ironically made his Benin debut against Algeria.
Following a trial with Aberdeen, Johnson joined Argyle after impressing in a pre-season friendly at Morecambe, playing under the name of Bryan Spring in an attempt to keep his identity secret. He progressed steadily in his first season at Home Park despite missing time due to injury and the African Cup of Nations. A continued improvement in form during the 2010-11 campaign led to a transfer to Sheffield Wednesday in January 2011 amid Argyle’s financial meltdown. The powerful defender scored on his league debut against Charlton Athletic and was a constant goal threat for Wednesday, particularly from corners and set pieces, with 11 goals from 41 appearances by the end of the 2011-12 season when the Hillsborough club won promotion back to the Championship.
Injuries started to lessen his on-pitch impact but off-the-pitch he was crowned the PFA Player in the Community at the Football League Awards in 2014. Johnson played a major role in the Owls' community programme and donated £5,000 to help a local special needs school purchase a PC system. Following his surprise release by Wednesday in the summer of 2014 he joined Coventry City and scored twice on his Sky Blues' debut against Bradford City.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION
If you can add to this profile, perhaps with special memories, a favourite story or the results of your original research, please contribute here.
APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
Greens on Screen is run as a service to fellow supporters, in all good faith, without commercial or private gain. I have no wish to abuse copyright regulations and apologise unreservedly if this occurs. If you own any of the material used on this site, and object to its inclusion, please get in touch using the 'Contact Us' button at the top of each page.