Seth Johnson

Football player infobox
playername = Seth Johnson


fullname = Seth Art Maurice Johnson | height = height|ft=5|in=10
nickname = | dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|3|12|df=y
cityofbirth = Birmingham
countryofbirth = England
position = Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1994–1999
1999–2001
2001–2005
2005–2007
clubs = Crewe Alexandra
Derby County
Leeds United
Derby County
caps(goals) = 91 (6)
73 (2)
54 (4)
57 (4)
nationalyears = 2000
nationalteam = England
nationalcaps(goals) = 01 (0)
pcupdate = 03:43, 29 March 2008 (UTC) | ntupdate = 22:01, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

Seth Art Maurice Johnson (born 12 March 1979 in Birmingham) is a former England international footballer, currently without a club after his second spell as a player with Derby County finished as Billy Davies decided to release him.

When he was young, Seth attended Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, the same school as West Ham attacker Dean Ashton. Johnson began his career as a trainee with Crewe Alexandra, turning professional in 1996. A hard working midfield player, Johnson's potential led Derby to offer £3 million for his signature in 1999. The transfer went through, but Johnson's loyalty to Crewe meant he insisted on staying to help their relegation fight, delaying his move to Derby by two months. In the end, Crewe avoided relegation by a single point. His continued progress led to a solitary appearance for England, against Italy in November 2000, and further interest in his services. Big spending Leeds United ultimately paid £7 million to acquire Johnson in 2001, but a series of horrendous injury problems restricted him to around 50 appearances in four years at Leeds.

There is a story that when Johnson arrived at Leeds to discuss his contract, his agent wanted to hold out for £13,000 a week. Peter Ridsdale entered the room and said "Right, I'm sorry but I can only offer you thirty thousand a week". Johnson's agent uttered some exclamation of disbelief and so Ridsdale said "Alright, thirty-seven thousand then".Fact|date=October 2007

Seth was released by Leeds in August 2005. It is believed they did this due to clauses in the deal signing him stating that they must pay a further fee to Derby after starting 50 league appearances and due to his large £37,000 a week wages which Leeds couldn't afford after their financial crisis.

Johnson returned to Derby County where the fans favourite successfully resurrected his career and played his final game for the club at Wembley Stadium, where he helped the club win promotion to the Premier League. However, during the play off final Johnson injured his knee, a huge blow to his chances of playing with Derby in the Premier League the next season. On the 1st June 2007, it was announced that he, along with seven other players had been released.

External links

*soccerbase|id=9578|name=Seth Johnson