The Supporters Club & Trust are pleased to announce that former Bristol City manager Gary Johnson is the next inductee into the Hall of Fame class of 2022/23, representing the 2000s.
In his five seasons with us, Gary Johnson achieved promotion to the Championship and was one game away from a successive promotion the Premier League.
Gary joined us in September 2005 at a low point with City languishing in the relegation zone. We had a great run in second half of the 2005/06 season and there was even talk of play-offs but we finished 9th.
The next season 2006/07 was a glorious one culminating that amazing 3-1 victory over Rotherham United on the last day, which clinched the longed-for promotion to the Championship behind champions Scunthorpe United.
2007/08 was another very exciting season. It looked for much of the time like successive promotion to the Premier League was on the cards but we had to be content with the play-offs. City reached their peak performance in two fantastic legs against Crystal Palace. They won the away leg 2-1 with David Noble’s stunning injury-time goal. Palace then levelled the aggregate score at Ashton Gate forcing extra time. Goals from Lee Trundle & Michael McIndoe then sealed City’s trip to Wembley. But it was a heartbreak final against Hull City – failing to rise to the occasion and succumbing to a wonder strike from Dean Windass.
The 2008/09 season Nicky Maynard became City’s record signing at the time, but momentum was not maintained and we finished 10th.
The 2009/10 season looked like a similar finish and with the Club’s high aspirations Gary left by mutual consent but it was an emotional affair. Since leaving City, Gary has gone onto manage Peterborough United, Northampton Town, a return to Yeovil Town, Cheltenham Town, and is currently the manager at Torquay United.
City fans have now recognised Gary’s contribution to our Club by voting him into the Bristol City Hall of Fame. The presentation will take place before the Wigan game on Wednesday 15th February at 6.30pm in our Supporters Bar above the Independence Sports Bar.
The remaining inductees from the 1940s/50s, 1960s/1970s & 1980s/1990s decades will be announced in due course. They will join Gary Johnson & the previously announced Loren Dykes MBE & Corinne Yorston
Words by Mike Adams. Graphics by Shahan Miah