Robert Charles Johnson (27 June 1902 – 26 January 1981) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Family The son of Swedish born Robert Johnson (originally "Jonasson") (1836–1917),Death: Johnson, The Quambatook Times, (Wednesday, 24 October 1917), p. 2.Death of Mr. R. Johnson, The Quambatook Times, (Wednesday, 17 October 1917), p. 2. and his second wife, Elizabeth Ann Johnson (1865–1946), née Armstrong,Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria Marriage Registration No.4117/1895.Deaths: Johnson, The Age, (Tuesday, 21 May 1946), p. 9. Robert Charles Johnson was born at Quambatook, Victoria on 27 June 1902.Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria Birth Registration No.21167/1902.

He married Thelma Walker (1904–1997), in Windsor, Victoria, on 16 June 1925.Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria Marriage Registration No.3506/1925. Their son Robert Bruce Johnson (1935–2001), also known as "Bob", played 140 games for Melbourne in the 1950s and early 1960s.Brown, Alf, "Another Bob Johnson for Demons", The (Melbourne) Herald, (Wednesday, 19 May 1954), p. 32.

Education He was educated at St Patrick's College, Ballarat.Coburg’s burly Follower developed from Half Forward, The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 17 September 1927), p. 6.

Football A key position player, Johnson was mostly used at centre half forward.

Northcote (VFA) Johnson began his senior football career with Northcote in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) where he won the competition's best and fairest award the Woodham Cup in 1924.

Melbourne (VFL) Granted a permit by Northcote in April 1926,League Permits: Large Number Granted, The (Melbourne) Sun News-Pictorial, (Thursday, 22 April 1926), p. 23. he was recruited by Melbourne, and had an immediate impact on the league. Johnson finished equal second in the 1926 Brownlow Medal and kicked six goals in Melbourne's winning grand final. He also earned Victorian selection at the season's end.

He twice topped Melbourne's goal-kicking during his career, in 1928 with 55 goals and in 1933 with 62. He retired before the 1934 season began.Johnson Retires: Melbourne's Loss, The Argus, (Wednesday, 14 March 1934), p. 17.

Death He died at Caulfield South on 26 January 1981, and was buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery on 29 January 1981.Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria Death Registration No.2618/1981.

See also VFA Best & Fairest - Woodham Cup: 1923 to 1925

Footnotes

References Sharland, W.S., "Footballers As Lecturers: Victorians Talk to College Boys in Adelaide: Bob Johnson Talks On High Marking", The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 4 July 1931), p. 6.

External links

Robert C Johnson, at Demonwiki. Robert C. 'Bob' Johnson, at The VFA Project.