Australian · Johannesburg, South Africa · Born 25 June 1960Craig Johnston is an Australian former footballer who won five English league titles and the European Cup with Liverpool in the 1980s, and later invented the Adidas Predator football boot.
Craig Johnston won five Football League titles, the 1984 European Cup, and the 1986 FA Cup in eight seasons at Liverpool — then retired at 27 to care for his ill sister, and went on to design the prototype for the Adidas Predator, one of the best-selling and most influential football boots in the sport's history. He moved to England as a teenager to join Middlesbrough's youth system in 1975, making his professional debut in 1977 and impressing enough to attract interest from Liverpool. On a recommendation from Graeme Souness, Liverpool manager Bob Paisley signed Johnston in April 1981, and he quickly became a crowd favourite at Anfield, nicknamed 'Skippy' in a nod to his Australian upbringing. Playing as an energetic, hard-working midfielder, Johnston made 271 appearances and scored 40 goals over eight years at the club, winning five Football League First Division titles, the FA Cup in 1986 as part of Liverpool's famous 'double'-winning side, two League Cups, and the 1984 European Cup, scoring in the shootout victory over Roma in the final. He also co-wrote the club's cult 1988 FA Cup final song, 'Anfield Rap.' Despite being eligible for Australia, Johnston never earned a senior international cap, having represented England's under-21 side twice early in his career. He retired from football at just 27 in 1988 to care for his ill sister, and went on to a notable second career as an inventor, designing the prototype for the Adidas Predator, one of the best-selling football boots of all time, still worn by professional players decades later.
A crowd-favourite midfielder in Liverpool's dominant 1980s teams, and later the inventor of the Adidas Predator football boot
How They Played
Energetic, hard-working midfielder known for tireless running and crowd-pleasing enthusiasm
Lasting Impact
Remembered as one of Anfield's most beloved players and one of the most influential figures in football boot design history
Career Honours
- European Cup winner (1984, Liverpool)
- 5x Football League First Division champion (Liverpool)
- FA Cup winner (1986, Liverpool)
- 2x League Cup winner (Liverpool)
- Co-writer of the 'Anfield Rap'
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | 1977–1981 | 64 |
| Liverpool | 1981–1988 | 190 |
Australian Athletes