Former England striker David Johnson, the first man to score for Liverpool and Everton in the Merseyside derby, has died aged 71.
Johnson, who scored six goals in eight appearances for England, was suffering from throat cancer.
He had two spells at Everton between playing for Ipswich Town under Bobby Robson and Liverpool for Bob Paisley.
During his six years at Anfield from 1976, Johnson won three league titles and the European Cup in 1981.
Former Liverpool striker David Fairclough paid tribute to his former team-mate, writing on Twitter: “So sad to hear that my great friend and Liverpool legend David Johnson passed away today.
“I shared so many good times and memories with ‘Jono’. Today is a very sad day. Condolences to all of Dave’s family. RIP ‘Doc’.”
Everton confirmed the news with a statement which read: “Everyone at Everton Football Club is saddened to learn of the untimely passing of David ‘Doc’ Johnson at the age of 71. Our hearts go out to the family. and David’s friends at this time.”
Johnson started his career at Goodison Park and scored in the Merseyside derby in 1971 – then scored for Liverpool in the game nine years later. Only Peter Beardsley has since repeated the feat.
He moved to Ipswich in 1972, helping Robson’s side win the 1973 Texaco Cup – a competition for clubs from England, Scotland and Ireland – and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup the next season.
Johnson made his England debut under Don Revie in 1975, scoring twice in a 2-2 draw with Wales at Wembley.
But it was with Liverpool that he enjoyed his most success, scoring 78 goals in 213 appearances after joining the club for a record fee of £200,000 in 1976.
Johnson started in the European Cup final against Real Madrid in 1981, but the emergence of Ian Rush the following season saw him spend time on the bench and he re-signed for Everton in August 1982 .
He went on to play for Barnsley, Manchester City, USA side Tulsa Roughnecks, Preston North End and had a stint as a player-manager at Barrow before retiring in 1986.
