| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Barry Johnston | ||
| Date of birth | 28 October 1979 [1] | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2002 | William Carey Crusaders | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1998–2000 | Cliftonville | ? | (?) |
| 2002–2006 | Coleraine | 82 | (2) |
| 2006–2009 | Cliftonville | 83 | (3) |
| 2009 | → Shamrock Rovers (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | Glenavon | 15 | (0) |
| 2010–2015 | Cliftonville | 239 | (15) |
| 2015–2016 | Carrick Rangers | 25 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2022–2025 | Lisburn Distillery | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Barry Johnston (born 28 October 1979) is a retired Northern Irish footballer and manager.
After serving apprenticeships at Celtic Boys under Jim Heaney, in 1999 Johnston joined Cliftonville's U18. [2] Although he believed he would have preferred becoming a winger, the coach Heaney considered his best position was a defensive sweeper or right back.[ citation needed ] Johnston suffered a leg injury, which almost terminated his career and which left him with nine screws and a steel plate anchored to his marrow.[ citation needed ] In 2000, Johnston took a leave from football and spent a two-year scholarship in the United States in New Orleans with William Carey College. [2] After returning from the United States, he came back playing football at Coleraine. [2] He stayed there for four years, reaching two Irish Cup Finals in 2003 and 2004 against Glentoran, winning the first one. [2]
Johnston moved back to Cliftonville in January 2006. [3] He lost another Irish Cup final in May 2009 against Crusaders. [4]
In 2009, he signed a loan for Shamrock Rovers after impressing in friendly appearances against Newcastle and Hibernians, [5] making his competitive debut as a substitute in a win over Derry City at Tallaght Stadium. [6] [7] Johnston returned to Northern Ireland to sign for Glenavon in December 2009. [8]
He then signed for Cliftonville for the third time in September 2010. [9] Johnston scored Cliftonville's equaliser against The New Saints in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League. [10]
In July 2015, Johnston moved to newly promoted Carrick Rangers. [11] Johnston moved due to a knee injury which prevented him from playing as much on artificial turf. [12]
Johnston retired in 2016 and joined the Cliftonville staff in March 2018. [13]
In June 2022 Johnston was appointed manager of NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Lisburn Distillery [14]
On 10 March 2025, Johnston departed the club. [15]
Coleraine
Cliftonville