by Chris Wood
Merseyside-born David first made his name with Everton and actually scored as a 20 year old against Liverpool in the Goodison 'derby' on 13th November 1971, a feat he would also repeat for Liverpool at Goodison in 1980. After four seasons with Ipswich Town, he became Liverpool's big summer signing of 1976.
Although picked from the start for the first 8 First Division fixtures of 1976-77, many of David's 26 League appearances that year were from the substitute's bench but he still easily qualified for the first of his three League championship medals.
David played (and scored) in the final League match of the season (away to Bristol City) and that was enough to earn him a place in the F.A. cup final team to meet Manchester United. But he was substituted by Ian Callaghan during the final and 'Cally' kept his place for the European cup final in Rome four days later.
Injured for much of the next season, Johnson again missed out on a European medal in 1978 but finally achieved his dream by being part of the side that lifted the trophy for the third time at the Parc des Princes, Paris in 1981.
David made important scoring contributions to the teams that won successive championships in 1979 & 1980, netting 37 times from 67 games during those two years. That form earned him 8 England caps and he scored twice in a 3-1 win against world champions Argentina atWembley in 1980.
David started the 1981-82 season as first-choice in the forward-line but the emergence of Ian Rush effectively ended his time at Anfield and he re-signed for his first club Everton in 1982.
For an exclusive interview with Johnson check out "What'sUp Doc?"
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