The (Short) Story Of Seth Johnson And The Most Bizarre Premier League Contract In History

At 21, Seth Johnson tripled his wages to become the second highest-paid player in the Premier League. Yet, only a few months before, he was playing for bottom side Derby and had only 15 minutes in an England shirt.

From Crewe to securing the most bizarre contract in football history, here’s the short story of England’s luckiest player.

To explain this, we’ll start in 1999, when Johnson broke the record for Premier League yellow cards with 14. He was playing for Derby at the time and became known for his combative style, securing 6 goals, 8 assists, and 40 yellow cards.

A year later, Johnson made his first and only England cap against Italy. No one understands why Johnson's selected, not even himself. He admitted at the time, “This has come as a bit of a shock, Derby aren’t doing well and I don’t think I am playing as well as I can. I have only had four bookings this season and, although that doesn't sound great, it's good for me!"

As he stood next to footballing greats on the sideline - Cannavaro, Gattuso and Totti - the young lad from Devon wondered, “What am I doing here?”.

While he was still in shock, Johnson was subbed on in the 73rd minute. Only a few strides later did Johnson find himself in the box, six yards from goal. Having put his laces through a volley in his first touch in an England shot, it looked written in the stars.

Gianluigi Buffon tips his effort over the bar. “It was only five or six yards out so I should have scored,” Johnson admits.

Italy won one goal to nil.

Johnson arrived home and rumours of his departure to Leeds grew. High off his first cap for his country, he tells his agent, “I’m not settling for less than £13,000 a week.”

Little did they know, they were meeting with the worst negotiator in football history.

Then spendthrift Leeds chairman, Peter Ridsdale, sat opposite Johnson’s agent. Filling the silence of the room, his opening words shocked everyone: “Right, I’ve had a shocking week, and the best I can offer you is £30,000 a week.”

Jaws dropped. “Oh, alright then,” said Ridsdale, misreading the reaction, “37,000”. Overnight, Johnson became the second-highest-paid player in the league.

But, that’s where his luck ran out. At Leeds, he battled with injury after injury, which led to him making only 59 appearances over four years. He had made enough money to buy himself a Porsche 911, but it wasn’t long until Leeds decided to release Johnson.

To put this into perspective, when Johnson had signed for Leeds they were top of the Premier League. After he left, they had finished 14th in the Championship.

“I don't do very much these days,” Johnson reflects. “I tried a bit of scouting but that wasn't for me either – there's too much writing involved. I thought you just went to the game and watched the football.”