Damien Johnson Drops In

On Monday 11th, 2009 Northern Ireland and Birmingham City player Damien Johnson dropped in on one of our training sessions to see all the kids enjoying their football

While there he took the opportunity to wish the Under 13s well in their upcoming tournament in Blackpool. Cheers Damien! Thanks for taking the time to talk to the kids.

Club Career

Blackburn Rovers
His first English team was Blackburn Rovers, for whom Damien signed as a trainee, from Portadown F.C. in 1997, making his debut in the League Cup on 30 September 1997.

Loaned to Nottingham Forest on 28 January 1998, Damien played in five games, and performed well for the team.

Birmingham
On 8 March 2002, Damien moved to Birmingham City and in September 2004, he signed a new three-year contract. He was named the Birmingham City captain for the 2006–07 season.

On 28 October 2006, Damien's jaw was broken in two places after he was elbowed in the face by West Brom defender Paul Robinson during a tackle that has since drawn criticism. Despite the broken jaw, Damien played on until the final whistle.

He has since signed a new 3 year deal that will keep him at Birmingham City until 2010.

At the opening of the 2007–08 season he injured his hamstring in a pre-season friendly. Further injuries followed, and Damien regained fitness only in December. He played his first league game on 15 December 2007, replacing the suspended Mehdi Nafti.

Currently Damien has made more appearances than any other team-mate for Birmingham City.

International Career
Damien earned his first call-up to the Northern Ireland national football team on 29 May 1999, when he came on as a substitute in the 1–0 away win against the Republic of Ireland. Further appearances as substitute followed against Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, and Hungary, before he made his first full appearance versus Yugoslavia at Windsor Park, Belfast, in August 2000. After a period when his international appearances were restricted by serious injury, Damien made his 49th appearance for NI in the 3-0 World Cup Qualifying victory in San Marino on 11 February, 2009, when he was the BBC's "Man of the Match". Such is his value to the national team that Damien is hugely popular with the "Green and White Army" of Northern Ireland fans, not least for his 100% effort and commitment.

He marked his 50th cap by leading out the Northern Ireland side for a memorable 3-2 victory at Windsor Park against Poland in March 2009. Before the match, Northern Irleland Manager Nigel Worthington said "I am delighted for Damien, as are all the players and staff, that he has reached his 50th cap. He will captain the team. Damien is more than happy to accept the honour."

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