Gary Johnson appointed as Taunton Town manager
Accomplished coach joins club with decades of experience
Last updated 23rd Dec 2025
Gary Johnson has been appointed as the new First-Team Manager of Taunton Town F.C.
Johnson is highly regarded in English football, especially in the South West, where his remarkable managerial career spans more than three decades. He has a track record of success that includes leading Yeovil Town from non-League football to the Championship, securing automatic promotion with Bristol City, and winning league titles with Cheltenham Town and Torquay United.
Between 1999 and 2001, Johnson managed the Latvia national team. During this time, he contributed to identifying emerging talent, including recommending Marians Pahars to Southampton FC and Igors Stepanovs to Arsenal.
In May 2024, Johnson took on the role of Director of Football at Cheltenham Town, assisting the club in stabilising its position following relegation from League One. Johnson also played a key role in recruiting players, one of whom, Ethon Archer, was later sold to Luton Town for a significant fee.
In 2014, the EFL recognised Johnson’s accomplishments with Yeovil Town by presenting him with the Outstanding Managerial Achievement Award. His guidance took Yeovil from non-League football to its best-ever performance level in the Championship.
Speaking in his first interview with Taunton Town F.C., Johnson shared his enthusiasm for the role: “I’m always excited about a new challenge, and I’m excited about this. I’ve only been here a couple of times with teams, but I’ve always felt there’s a good passion on the terraces, and there’s a chance to build the club. I’ve looked at the team, and I think it’s a decent team. I think they’ve got a chance to be much higher at this level than they are at the moment. It’s really important to work towards getting into the National League South at least. I saw that as a good challenge — but a big one.”