Les 'Golden Boy' Johns

Your Say

• heather wicks
  02/10/2011

  Les John's was dynamic. The most exciting footballer I have ever seen play, the ball only had to come near him & the whole crowd was on it's feet. Pity treatment of injuries was not advanced at that time. Could also have been A Grade Cricketer too!

• Polyhistor
  26/04/2012

  Actually, was an A grade cricketer - for Petersham-Marrickville in the SCA. Opening bat
  whose career well extended past the RL one. A really charming & delightful man to meet!

• E Curb Nottus
  23/05/2012

  EE Christensen's Official NSW Rugby League Year Book Player of the Year 1968.

• Paul Fox
  30/07/2013

  Les was a fantastic footballer, he had an uncanny ability to sniff out a try or make a try saving tackle. to highlight Les outstanding ability, Australian selectors picked Les at fullback with another champion fullback Graeme Langland picked in the centres. Les Johns was the equal of-todays fabulous talents like Slater, Barba, Inglis it was great to watch him play.

• Laurie Myers
  04/10/2013

  Les Johns was the best fullback I have ever seen and I saw them all since 1960. He had the attacking flair of Ben Barba but he could tackle like no other fullback could. He could kick goals, take bombs and score tries with the best of them. I did meet him once. He played in South Newcastle RL Team with my younger brother. Does anyone know how I could contact him?

• Brett
  09/10/2013

  I had the pleasure of playing several one day matches with Les (he was a guest player) down at Wollongong during the eighties. What a thorough gentleman.
  
  I am not sure if Les played for Petersham, but he certainly was a Sutho stalward.

• Eric
  12/05/2014

  The reason I became a Bulldog supporter except for the injuries would have been recognised as the best fullback ever and would easily handle the modern game as we know it now did it all

• Greg Briggs
  08/07/2014

  Les Johns was a child hood hero of mine playing for the Berries. I can remember my father taking me into the dressing room to meet Les after a game at Belmore one day as a 8 or 9 year old. Then about 10 years later I played my first 1st Grade cricket match against St George at Waitara oval in Sydney the club Les played for at the time. So to play cricket against Les after watching him play football as a kid is something I will never forget.

• Steve Reid
  22/07/2014

  He started his grade cricket career with Bankstown as you may expect....always willing to talk to his fans.

• Wombatical
  16/03/2017

  Before moving to the Sutherland Club, Les played 1st grade cricket for Petersham in the 1970s where one of his teammates was fellow Canterbury RLC player & NSW cricketer Graeme Hughes.

• john
  08/04/2017

  Saw Les play at St.Helens Northern England in the 1960,s.We were both young men.Is Les related to Andrew and Matthew?Thanks for my memories Les.John.

• Fatfreddy
  07/08/2017

  I consider myself blessed to have seen the mercurial Les Johns play. I am reminded of the current state of the Bulldogs when I 1st started following the Berries back in 1963, a fairly ordinary team with a sensational fullback. however back then they were the greatest "family" club ever. I will remain loyal forever thanks to the likes of players like the great Les Johns...
  Freddy

• Brian isaac
  23/02/2019

  I loved watching les play he was a natural

• Bernard
  22/10/2020

  Les Johns was the best fullback I witnessed as a kid going to Belmore Oval. He could do anything and if he got the ball everyone was on their feet. The man was plagued with injuries but when we saw that blond hair coming onto the field with the number 1 jumper on it made the game walking up from Campsie worthwhile. What a talent.

• michael basha
  09/02/2021

  I have worked in the ragetrade for over 50years,Les came to the factory were i was working in 1989 and ordered suits etc.
  We struck a friendship,He rang me later that year to go to the grand final and i sat in the members stand with him.
  Absolute gentleman,no beers,only tea.

• Anonymous
  21/03/2021

  100% agree. Les Johns was the most exciting fullback to watch. Followed The Berries from the first time I ever saw him play. Would love to hear his thoughts on the behaviour of players today. He always appeared to me to be a gentleman on the field and never heard a word of scandal about him.

• Gregor
  16/07/2021

  Again the greatest player I have seen over past 66 years. He had it all, defence, attack, goal kicking, line kicking and even was first to catch line kicks and jump back inside field of play. So many incredible tackles but I think the best was on A flying Kevin Yow Yeh at Sydney sports ground. He looked like he had popped up from a trap dooor and was air borne and dropped him like a stone.

• Kerrie
  06/09/2021

  You all forget that it was his own team mate that ended his footie career. It was Dr George Kapponis that kicked him in the knee . He was the reason why John greaves left berries for Souths .

• Dianne
  06/10/2021

  Les Johns was the most Superb Fullback & a player with true class. As a teenager I followed the Berries all over the greater Sydney area & to Penrith to watch Les Johns play. When Johns started to chase down an opponent the entire stadium would be on their feet. To witness this little blonde packet of dynamite dive, as in fly, through the air & bring down opponents twice his weight and size by grabbing their feet was like watching a choreographed ballet.
  Though Johns played the position of Fullback he popped up all over the field & made tries, tackles, kicked goals & field goals. It was disheartening to watch opposing players deliberately injury Les Johns to eliminate the threat of his brilliance in the game.

• Barry
  28/02/2023

  My first nrl test 3rd 1966 Les John’s was Magic my wests hero Peter Diamond had a great day also those great wingers Irvine and King good memories

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