Ex-England international Lindsay Johnson hung up her boots on Sunday, ending a dozen years with Everton by scoring late on to help the Toffees secure third place in FA WSL 2. Andy Lamb caught up with her this week to ask her about her retirement.
AL: How long ago was the decision made?
LJ: It’s a tough one really – I had thought about it at the end of last season but really when we got relegated, I couldn’t finish. I made the decision to stay on and I knew it was only going to be the one season then. I had the season to think about it and probably made the decision about 2 weeks ago after the London Bees game, we weren’t going to get promoted but I would be leaving with the club in a good position.
AL: You’ve played enough games to not let the build-up affect you but what about Sunday – were you nervy?
LJ: It was kind of surreal and I had so many mixed emotions going into the game and I was nervous. It felt weird putting on the Everton strip for the very last time, as it’s been all I’ve known for 15 years at the highest standard in the country. I had an idea that all my friends were coming and the club made it a special day.
Photo: TheFA.com
AL: What was it like to have the likes of Toni [Duggan], Jill [Scott] and Jody [Handley] there?
LJ: That was special, as these players aren’t just team-mates – they’re close friends and my best mates. Jody and Browny [Rachel Brown-Finnis] are a similar age and I can now watch the likes of Jill, Toni and Nikita [Parris] and see them progress their international careers.
AL: Mo [Marley] was also there as well wasn’t she – how special was that?
LJ: Mo means a lot to me and if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have had the career I had. She signed me, she made me change from midfield to defender, taught me everything I know and if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have learnt what I did. Undoubtedly I played for England because of Mo, no doubt and to have her there meant a lot.
AL: Did it take you a good hour to sign everything after the game?
LJ: It was non-stop. There was a real buzz about the place and especially in the last part of the season at home. We might have thrown away promotion at the start of the season but the support has been immense. There was nearly 600 there but it sounded like 1,000.
AL: About the gap between WSL 1 and 2 – now you’ve played in both, did you notice one?
LJ: Definitely there is a gap, there always will be as the league develops as a professional league. But teams are learning quickly how to adapt. It’s noticeable in the Conti Cup but there’s still some close games.
AL: Is the goal against Durham a highlight?
LJ: I forgot about that! It’s funny cos people go on about Johnno scoring but it’s never been something I’ve been bothered about, as long as the team is scoring that’s the most important thing. I’m a defender, I’m there to stop them!
AL: You’ve been playing more forward though in the last few games.
LJ: Nic [Anderson] moved me to right back – I’m a runner, I’ve always enjoyed running and having a little bit more freedom. The last few games, knowing they were my last, I really enjoyed it.
AL: Moving onto a few career memories then, what was it like playing for England?
LJ: When you’re growing up and when you’re an adult playing your sport, that’s the pinnacle, playing for your country and I’m really proud I’m able to say that I did that 43 times and I played in a very good England team whom I will never forget playing with. I spend a lot of time away from home and we did well getting to EURO 2009 and just a step too far against Germany
AL: Would you say that squad of players did the groundwork for the team of today?
LJ: Yeah, I think so – we established the first central contracts and the way forward for the girls now. Clubs like [Manchester] City and Arsenal are paving the way and Everton need to follow suit to develop and keep up with the other teams. It is great to see the game developing and we were leading the way at the time.
AL: What are your FA Cup-winning memories?
LJ: To win the FA Cup in extra-time, 3-2 against our fiercest competitors Arsenal, who we had some amazing battles with back in the day. I will never forget how well Tash [Dowie] took the goal. The feeling then was just amazing – we were the nearly team – I will cherish that forever.
AL: You’ve experienced all emotions playing for Everton too
LJ: Yeah, the last 3 seasons have been difficult retaining the quality players – no one can get away from that and that is what the problem is. I think if Everton don’t invest, we will lose our best players. The Gaby’s [George] of this world, the (likes of) Meg Finnigan and Michelle Hinnigan, people will come in for these players because they are top quality who will be playing in the WSL 1 one day. But they need to be playing in the WSL 1 with Everton – as a club, something needs to be done to keep these players
AL: Is it too early to say what you’re up to next?
LJ: I’m having a few months off and when everyone goes back for pre-season, that’s when it will hit. We will see, I do want to be involved with Everton – I love the club, I love the girls – in what capacity I don’t know yet. I couldn’t just walk away, as it’s such a big part of my life. If I can do anything to support the club, maybe as a mentor role for some of the young girls, I would love to do something along those lines.
AL: You’re competing in the Men’s Health 10K ‘Survival of the Fittest’ – how did you get involved with that?
LJ: A colleague at work suggested we did it as a bonding thing. You say “Yes” not thinking it through really. I wanted to make sure I did this properly, so I’m raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust. It’s taking place on November 7th, so now that I have finished, I better start training properly for it, ‘cos it going to be tough!
Visit www.justgiving.com/Lindsay-Johnson3/ or text LIJO60 £5 to 70070.
Words: andylambmedia
She Kicks – the online news service for women’s football
