Ian Johnston
Centre
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2009
- Date of Birth:
- 01 March 1927
- Birthplace:
- Newcastle, NSW
- Nickname:
- -
- Debut Team:
- Parramatta
- Date:
- 10 April 1948
- Opposition:
- -
- Venue:
- Cumberland Oval
- Representative:
- Newcastle (AU), NSW City Seconds, NSW Firsts, Probables (AU), Sydney Firsts, Metropolis, NSW City Firsts, Riverina, Australia
- Club:
- Parramatta, Western Suburbs
Career
Milestones
- Interstate Series 1949
Biography
Five-eighth Ian Johnston joined the Club from Newcastle in 1948. He was selected to represent Australia in the following year, becoming Parramatta’s first international, earning a place on the New Zealand tour where he kicked three goals in Australia’s 26-14 loss in the first Test.
In 1951, Ian was the first Parramatta player to top 100 points in First Grade. Johnston left Parramatta and moved to Maitland to play a season in the local Newcastle competition before returning to Sydney to play two seasons with Western Suburbs.
Johnston captained first grade in 1951 and 1952 and coached the Parramatta reserve grade side from 1961 to 1967 then eventually became First Grade coach for two seasons. He was later appointed a member of the Board of Directors.
Ian was appointed a Life Member in 1975 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. He died in 2013 after a long illness.
Hall of Fame Members
Parramatta Eels respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.