Mitchell Johnson (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Mitchell Johnson is an Australian association football player who currently plays for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League
.
and the AIS.
for Newcastle United
between 2000 and 2004.
In 2003 Johnson was selected as a back-up player for the Australian
team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
. A strong 2002/03 NSL season led to media speculation that might be included in the Australian team
for the 2004 Olympic Games
, however this did not eventuate.
In August 2004 Johnson headed to Europe for unsuccessful trials with Stade Rennais and Partick Thistle.
started in 2005 Johnson embarked on a career in mining. After playing for Highfields Azzurri FC
in the NBN State Football League
for a number of seasons Johnson announced his retirement from football at the end of the 2007 season to focus on his career. The retirement however was short lived as he turned out for Mayfield United in the lower grades of Northern NSW Football in 2008.
.
In February 2009 after a successful trial with Newcastle Jets
he was signed a six month contract. He was included in the Jets' 2009 AFC Champions League
squad.
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
.
Club career
Johnson played in the Australian National Youth League for the Newcastle BreakersNewcastle Breakers
Newcastle Breakers are a defunct Australian association football club. Formed out of elements of the Newcastle Austral club, they participated in the National Soccer League from season 1991/1992, until their dissolution in 1999/2000. The club fared poorly on the field in its nine seasons in the...
and the AIS.
NSL
He later played in the National Soccer LeagueNational Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
for Newcastle United
Newcastle United Jets
Newcastle United Jets Football Club is a professional football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The club competes in the A-League and plays its home games at Ausgrid Stadium . The Jets have won one A-League championship, defeating arch rivals the 1–0 in the 2007–08 Grand Final...
between 2000 and 2004.
In 2003 Johnson was selected as a back-up player for the Australian
Australia national under-20 football team
The Australia national under-20 association football team, more commonly known as the Young Socceroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia in international Under 20 or youth football competitions....
team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
. A strong 2002/03 NSL season led to media speculation that might be included in the Australian team
Australia national under-23 football team
The Australia Olympic football team, more commonly known as the Olyroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia at association football in the Olympic Games...
for the 2004 Olympic Games
Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics started on 11 August, , and ended on 28 August.The men's tournament is played by U-23 national teams, with up to three over age players allowed per squad...
, however this did not eventuate.
In August 2004 Johnson headed to Europe for unsuccessful trials with Stade Rennais and Partick Thistle.
Retirement
After being overlooked for a contract when the A-LeagueA-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
started in 2005 Johnson embarked on a career in mining. After playing for Highfields Azzurri FC
Highfields Azzurri FC
Highfields Azzurri is a football club based in Highfields a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. In order to try and meet the requirements of the 2009 NBN State Football League requirements, the club merged with local neighbours Charlestown United, forming a new club called Charlestown...
in the NBN State Football League
NBN State Football League
The Northern New South Wales State Football League, or as it is more commonly known as the NBN State Football League for sponsorship purposes, is the premier association football league in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region. It is governed by Northern New South Wales Football...
for a number of seasons Johnson announced his retirement from football at the end of the 2007 season to focus on his career. The retirement however was short lived as he turned out for Mayfield United in the lower grades of Northern NSW Football in 2008.
Return to professional football
In November 2008 Johnson decided to give professional football a second chance when he signed and began pre-season training with NSW Premier League team A.P.I.A. Leichhardt TigersA.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers
APIA Leichhardt Tigers Football Club, also known as APIA Tigers and Sydney Tigers, is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia. The club was formed in 1954, known as APIA Leichhardt, by Italian Australians...
.
In February 2009 after a successful trial with Newcastle Jets
Newcastle United Jets
Newcastle United Jets Football Club is a professional football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The club competes in the A-League and plays its home games at Ausgrid Stadium . The Jets have won one A-League championship, defeating arch rivals the 1–0 in the 2007–08 Grand Final...
he was signed a six month contract. He was included in the Jets' 2009 AFC Champions League
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
squad.