| Paul Johnson | |
| Birth Date: | 5 April 1992 |
| Birth Place: | Sunderland, England |
| Height: | [1] |
| Position: | Central defender |
| Youthyears1: | 2004–2010 |
| Youthclubs1: | Hartlepool United |
| Years1: | 2010–2013 |
| Clubs1: | Hartlepool United |
| Caps1: | 1 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2010 |
| Clubs2: | → Garforth Town (loan) |
| Caps2: | ? |
| Goals2: | ? |
| Years3: | 2011–2012 |
| Clubs3: | → Workington (loan) |
| Caps3: | 12 |
| Goals3: | 1 |
| Years4: | 2012 |
| Clubs4: | → Darlington (loan) |
| Caps4: | 9 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2013 |
| Clubs5: | → Workington (loan) |
| Caps5: | 17 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Years6: | 2013–2014 |
| Years7: | 2014– |
| Clubs7: | Spennymoor Town |
| Club-Update: | 04:10, 17 November 2014 (UTC) |
Paul Johnson (born 5 April 1992) is an English former professional footballer who plays for Spennymoor Town as a central defender.
Born in Sunderland,[2] Johnson joined Hartlepool United at the age of 12.[3] He turned professional in 2010,[4] making his senior debut in April 2011.
In May 2011 he signed a new contract with the club.[5] And next season, he had a successful three-month loan spell at Conference North side Workington where he received praise from the Reds' manager Darren Edmondson with him saying "Paul has been fantastic for us, he's grown as a player and learned more about the game than playing meaningless Reserve games. It's been a pleasure to aid his development. He returns to Hartlepool an improved footballer and shows what effect the non league can have on the development of young talent."[6]
He was an unused substitute in a 2–1 win away at Bury[7] shortly before he was loaned to local rivals Darlington for the rest of the season.[8] He made his debut a day later as he played the full match in a 0–2 league defeat to Ebbsfleet United.[9]
He rejoined Workington on loan in February 2013,[10] making 17 appearances for the club.
Johnson was released by Hartlepool at the end of the 2012–13 season.[11]
After his release from Hartlepool, it was reported that Workington boss Darren Edmondson tried to get Johnson to join Workington permanently but hit a stumbling block due to wages.[12] Johnson joined Carlisle-based Northern League side Celtic Nation in June, on a one-year deal, where he was reunited with Mick Wadsworth who was Johnson's coach at Hartlepool United.[13]
Paul left Celtic Nation to join Spennymoor Town in the summer of 2014.[14]