Between the Rock and a hard place

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 26 September 2014


LEE Johnson turned down a surprise opportunity to play against star-studded World Cup winners Germany... for Gibraltar.

Athletic’s manager was shocked to be asked by an agent if he would be interested in featuring for UEFA’s newest member nation in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Had the plan come off, he even had the blessing of Athletic chairman Simon Corney.

Johnson qualifies for the overseas British territory as a result of his grandmother on father Gary’s side of the family.

But he didn’t take the enquiry too seriously and turned down the chance to play in midfield against Joachim Low’s men on November 14.

“My nan on my dad’s side is a full Gibraltarian,” Johnson explained. “I got a phone call from an agent asking if I was interested in playing. I was shocked and just laughed it off, but the chairman then said if I played he would fly the whole squad out to watch!”

Gibraltar started their Euro 2016 campaign with a 7-0 defeat to Poland in Faro, Portugal.

A squad containing Crewe academy coach David Artell, Preston right-back Scott Wiseman and ex-Portsmouth midfielded Liam Walker plays again in Ireland on October 11, before taking on Georgia in the Algarve three days later.

After Germany there’s a trip to Scotland next March for the Gib side to look forward to.

Johnson, who retired from playing when he bacame Latics manager last year, fancies pulling on his boots again for Gibraltar in the future.

“It was nice to be at least thought about,” he added. “But I didn’t really want to be running around chasing after the world champions when we have a game on the Saturday.

“I’ll invite the Gibraltar team over to play us. That would be a good game - and I would play. I’d have to work on my fitness first though!”

The Gibraltar FA later said the approach to Johnson was made by not by themselves but by an independent agent.