John Johnston receives his Player of the Month Award
Tue 20th January 2026 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
Irlam hot-shot John Johnston was recently presented with his Premier Division Player of the Month award for October 2025.
With postponements and unavailability, this presentation has been delayed but League Respect Co-ordinator Stuart Taylor took a trip to Irlam recently, and he is pictured presenting John with his award before that game.
This is the first time that he has won this award and the first for Irlam since Declan Daniels won it in September 2023.
This is Johnston's first season in the NWFCL after signing for Irlam in the summer from Matlock Town. He left due to increased work commitments after being with the Gladiators since 2022, winning their fans player of the season last year. John played in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra before joining Salford City. He moved onto Altrincham and then Chester before joining Kidsgrove Athletic, before joining Guiseley then Matlock.
After scoring four times in Irlam's opening eight games, he has really hit his stride in October with seven goals in seven games and winning two Man of the Match awards.
The opening game of the month saw him help his team to a 3-0 win at Stockport Town, scoring the second goal of the game in the 39th minute in a flowing move that he himself started. Next was another home game against Atherton LR, where Johnston opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a goal from a narrow angle, before adding a second from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half. Johnston won Man of the Match with Irlam winning 3-0.
The third game was away at FC St Helens with Johnston again opening the scoring, this time with a 20-yard strike that gave home keeper Jake Hilton no chance. With 20 minutes remaining, he then set up striker John Main to double the lead, but the home side hit back with two late goals to take a share of the points.
The Isuzu FA Vase was next at home to Shildon with Johnston again opening the scoring, this time after just six minutes when he kept his cool to slot into the bottom corner. The Northern League side hit back to lead before Johnston set up Mitch Henry to score the equaliser. Penalties saw Irlam progress in the competition.
He was unable to stop Barnoldswick Town winning 2-1 at Irlam in the fifth game of the month, the only game in which Johnston failed to score, but he was back to his best in the next game, winning Man of the Match for the second time in the month away to Longridge Town. Johnston opened the scoring in that game with a superb strike after cutting in from the left, and tormented the home side throughout the first half. Longridge eventually took control in the second half to run out winners.
The final game saw Irlam with a 5-2 win at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Johnston's quick free kick helped set up the second goal just before half time, and then curled in the fourth for Irlam seven minutes into the second half. He also assisted the final goal in the last minute for skipper Jacob Holt.
Johnston played seven games in total, scoring in six of them with seven goals to his name. He also weighed in with two Man of the Match wins.
Congratulations on a fine month!
John Johnston receives his Player of the Month Award
Tue 20th January 2026 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
Irlam hot-shot John Johnston was recently presented with his Premier Division Player of the Month award for October 2025.
With postponements and unavailability, this presentation has been delayed but League Respect Co-ordinator Stuart Taylor took a trip to Irlam recently, and he is pictured presenting John with his award before that game.
This is the first time that he has won this award and the first for Irlam since Declan Daniels won it in September 2023.
This is Johnston's first season in the NWFCL after signing for Irlam in the summer from Matlock Town. He left due to increased work commitments after being with the Gladiators since 2022, winning their fans player of the season last year. John played in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra before joining Salford City. He moved onto Altrincham and then Chester before joining Kidsgrove Athletic, before joining Guiseley then Matlock.
After scoring four times in Irlam's opening eight games, he has really hit his stride in October with seven goals in seven games and winning two Man of the Match awards.
The opening game of the month saw him help his team to a 3-0 win at Stockport Town, scoring the second goal of the game in the 39th minute in a flowing move that he himself started. Next was another home game against Atherton LR, where Johnston opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a goal from a narrow angle, before adding a second from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half. Johnston won Man of the Match with Irlam winning 3-0.
The third game was away at FC St Helens with Johnston again opening the scoring, this time with a 20-yard strike that gave home keeper Jake Hilton no chance. With 20 minutes remaining, he then set up striker John Main to double the lead, but the home side hit back with two late goals to take a share of the points.
The Isuzu FA Vase was next at home to Shildon with Johnston again opening the scoring, this time after just six minutes when he kept his cool to slot into the bottom corner. The Northern League side hit back to lead before Johnston set up Mitch Henry to score the equaliser. Penalties saw Irlam progress in the competition.
He was unable to stop Barnoldswick Town winning 2-1 at Irlam in the fifth game of the month, the only game in which Johnston failed to score, but he was back to his best in the next game, winning Man of the Match for the second time in the month away to Longridge Town. Johnston opened the scoring in that game with a superb strike after cutting in from the left, and tormented the home side throughout the first half. Longridge eventually took control in the second half to run out winners.
The final game saw Irlam with a 5-2 win at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Johnston's quick free kick helped set up the second goal just before half time, and then curled in the fourth for Irlam seven minutes into the second half. He also assisted the final goal in the last minute for skipper Jacob Holt.
Johnston played seven games in total, scoring in six of them with seven goals to his name. He also weighed in with two Man of the Match wins.
Congratulations on a fine month!
