Leicester City Football Club are sad to announce that former trainer, Bert Johnson, has passed away at the age of 93 in a nursing home in Evington.

Bert was No. 2 to Matt Gilles for much of his time at the club, though he initially joined as Head Scout in 1959.

Former City legend, Davie Gibson, today paid tribute to Bert: "He was the reason that I signed for Leicester City in the first place as he came up to Scotland to scout me."

He added: "He was one of the nicest men I've ever met, a coach who didn't have to shout. Bert was a really special human being and I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for him."

Often given a share in the credit for the tactical innovations that helped City to four cup finals in the early 1960's, Bert took over as acting manager during Gilles' absence through illness in 1968, and it was his sacking later that year which prompted Gilles' immediate resignation.

A devout churchman, Bert had begun his playing career in the Northern League with South Bank, Stockton and Spennymoor United before signing for Charlton as a wing-half in March 1939. He guested for Bolton alongside Gillies during the war, played in two Victory internationals for England and took successive runners-up and winners' medals from the FA Cup Finals of 1946 and 1947.

From 1953 he had been player/manager at each of Bexleyheath & Welling and Cambridge United. Upon leaving Leicester, he was chief scout for each of Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Southampton, and in August 1979 became general manager at Walsall, working in tandem with player/manager, Alan Buckley.

A thanksgiving service will be held on Monday at Little Hill church, Launceston Road, Wigston at 4pm. Everyone is welcome.