A childhood Dons fan, Johnny rose through the ranks and at 16 year old was captain of the "B" team in 1955/56.

Represented Surrey at both cricket and soccer at youth level while at Glastonbury Road Grammar School and he and Brian Martin were both offered a place on the ground staff at Portsmouth and while on National Service, stationed in Devizes, he was approached to sign amateur forms for Second Division Bristol Rovers.

Left Wimbledon after an approach from Sutton United early in the 1961/62 season and was part of the U's team that lost to the Dons in the Amateur Cup final at the end of the following campaign. Joined Tooting & Mitcham in November 1965.