Taunton Town has named Gary Johnson, the seasoned manager known for his successful spells at Bristol City, Torquay United, Cheltenham Town, and Yeovil Town, as their new First-Team Manager.
At 70 years old, Johnson brings over four decades of managerial expertise. His career began in 1986 with Newmarket Town and has since spanned eleven clubs, many within the South West of England. Notably, he led Yeovil Town from non-League status to the Championship during his first tenure from 2001 to 2005 and repeated a similar triumph with Bristol City, guiding them to Championship promotion in the 2006/07 season.
Johnson’s track record includes winning the National League title with Cheltenham Town in 2015/16 and securing the National League South title with Torquay United in 2019. These successes underscore his ability to elevate teams within the football league system.
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Expressing enthusiasm about his appointment, Johnson stated, “I’m always excited about a new challenge, and this one is no different. Although I’ve only visited Taunton a few times before, the passion among the supporters is evident. The squad shows promise, and I believe there is real potential for Taunton Town to climb higher in the league. Our target is to reach the National League South, which I see as a challenging but achievable goal.”
Taunton Town officially welcomed Johnson, highlighting his illustrious career and leadership. They emphasized his achievements, such as driving Yeovil Town to the Championship, securing automatic promotion with Bristol City, and winning league titles at Cheltenham Town and Torquay United.
Adding a unique dimension to his career, Johnson also served as the manager of the Latvia national team from 1999 to 2001. During this tenure, he played a key role in identifying talents like Marians Pahars and Igors Stepanovs, who later advanced to prominent English clubs Southampton and Arsenal, respectively.
Most recently, Johnson held the role of Director of Football at Cheltenham Town starting in May 2024. There, he helped stabilise the club after relegation and was instrumental in recruiting players such as Ethon Archer, whose transfers have been financially significant.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to football, Johnson received the EFL Outstanding Managerial Achievement Award in 2014. This honor celebrated his historic accomplishments, particularly with Yeovil Town, and his lasting impact on the Football League.
Taunton Town fans and the wider football community will be watching closely as Gary Johnson brings his wealth of experience and passion to this new chapter, aiming to elevate the club’s standing in English football.