SINCE their second – and last – competitive meeting in 2014, Johnsons Gary and Lee have faced off just once as opposing managers.
On a warm evening in 2016, Lee’s Bristol City defeated dad Gary’s Cheltenham Town in a friendly, winning the Johnson Cup in the process.
The trophy – a silver cup commissioned in jest by Gary himself – still sits on the younger man’s mantelpiece. A “bit cringe” was how he described the dubious honour.
Given that Lee now manages League One giants Sunderland while his old man is at Torquay United, an opportunity to divest himself of this unwanted bauble appears unlikely.
Mind you, the career trajectory of Phil Parkinson, Johnson’s predecessor at the Stadium of Light, suggests otherwise.
When Parky was appointed by Sunderland in October 2019, he was widely seen as the steadiest pair of hands in League One.
Solid, unspectacular, but a guy who gets the job done. So it has always been for the 53-year-old.
As a midfielder for Reading in the nineties, Parkinson wasn’t gifted. He couldn’t play a killer pass, but his relentless hounding and harrying meant nobody else could either.
Esta historia es de la edición July 25, 2021 de The Non-League Football Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 25, 2021 de The Non-League Football Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
PILGRIMS' PERFECT DAY SEALED BY CAM
BOSTON United won their second penalty shoot-out in four days as they overhauled second-placed Scunthorpe United to earn their place in the National League North play-off final.
Spirit of Angelo's Iron keeps dream alive
ANGELO HARROP hailed calm heads as Braintree Town hauled themselves off the ropes after Chelmsford City's late comeback to land an extra-time knock-out and reach the Promotion Final.
UNITED BID IS SUNK BY WATERS' WINNER!
ASHTON UNITED'S lingering play-off hopes were finally extinguished at Hurst Cross as the visitors secured their own place with a deserved victory.
PREECE'S KEEPING IT REAL!
ANDY PREECE doesn't want his Chorley side to forget how good season has been to this point and urged them to use that belief at Brackley Town.
STONES STILL ROLLING ON!
Gist EORGE Elokobi insists his Maidstone United side are not in danger of succumbing to fatigue as they look to complete a marathon season on a high.
ACE JACK LEADS A HORNETS HURRAH
HORSHAM managed to muster the energy in their 60th game of the season to finally breast the tape and secure a topfive finish in what was already the finest season in the club's history.
RUSSELL ENDS ON A EURO MISSION
Italy adventure is fitting for Rooks boss
COMMUNITY WILL UNITE TO HELP HEED ON A LONG ROAD AHEAD
Local pride can heal the pain of play-off snub
EMOTION LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Critics gave us no chance, says Cousins
SAM'S IN THE STONES ZONE
UPBEAT music, positive messages only and even group prayers - Sam Cox says Wealdstone's survival story is something to be proud of.