Thursday 14 January 2016 15:12, UK
Former Warrington player and coach Brian Johnson has died at the age of 59 after a long battle with Alzheimer's, the Super League club have announced.
Johnson, a full-back, was a member of the St George side that won the Australian Grand Final in 1979 and also played for Eastern Suburbs before joining Warrington in 1985.
His 103 appearances for the Wire included Lancashire Cup and Regal Trophy finals and he scored a try in the 1985 Premiership Trophy final victory over Halifax.
As coach from 1988-96, Johnson steered the club to Lancashire Cup and Regal Trophy successes and was at the helm when Warrington lost to Wigan in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 1990.
The former teacher, who lived with his wife Karen and two sons in Wollongong, New South Wales, returned to England several times in charge of touring Australian Institute of Sport rugby league teams.
A Warrington spokesman said: "All at the club are saddened to hear of the passing of former Wire player and coach Brian Johnson. Our thoughts are with all who knew him."
