Glen Johnson, a graduate of Burnaby North Secondary and the Norburn Club program, was the first Canadian-born player to ever play in the English soccer league’s first division.
Considered one of the finest strikers ever developed in Canada, Johnson played with West Bromwich Albion from 1969 to ’71, making his English league debut Aug. 22, 1970 against Blackpool as an 18-year-old. But, an injury cut short his football career in Europe.
Johnson was the first player to sign with the Vancouver Whitecaps when they entered the North American Soccer League. He played three seasons with the ‘Caps and scored 14 goals. Johnson went on to play for Canada nine times, captaining the national team in his debut in 1972.
Johnson was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007.
