Arthur Johnson: The forgotten legend connecting Liverpool and Real Madrid | OneFootball

Tonight Anfield hosts a big clash between Liverpool and Real Madrid, two of Europe's greatest champions. Across the Mersey River lies Wallasey Cemetery, where a forgotten legend who will be honoured by fans of both teams is buried: Arthur Johnson. 

Born in Dublin in 1878, when Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom, Johnson moved to Madrid to work as an engineer. Upon arriving in the Spanish capital, he became a key part of the development of football in the area, which had begun to be imported from the United Kingdom.

He was part of the early days of Real Madrid – important both on and off the field. He was an active figure alongside Julián Palacios, the brothers Padrós and Adolfo Meléndez, acknowledged as the founders of the club that gave rise to Real.

Arthur was the one who taught the rules and sportsmanship to players and officials in the early years of the Merengues. He also had influence in the choice of the white uniform, in reference to the English club Corinthian F.C. 

As a player, he was both a goalkeeper and a forward, and played only three official games for Los Blancos, in a time when competitions were still being created. In the Copa de la Coronación of 1902, a precursor to the Copa del Rey and created as a tribute to the coronation of Alfonso XIII, he scored the first goal in Real's history in El Clásico, in a 3-1 defeat to Barça.

In 1910, Johnson became the first coach in the history of Real Madrid. He held the position for a decade and won a Copa del Rey. He was the coach of Santiago Bernabéu, the first great merengue idol, during the best years of the striker's career with the white shirt. 

According to reports from the Spanish press, both the founders of Real Madrid and Bernabéu always spoke very respectfully of Arthur Johnson and referred to him as 'the English guy', who understood the game better than anyone there.

He returned to the United Kingdom afterwards, lived in Wallasey, near Liverpool, and worked for the Liverpool United Alkali company and as a secretary of a local bowling club. He died in 1929 from pneumonia, at the age of 50. 

Without any reference to his years at Real Madrid, Johnson's grave remained forgotten until recently, when a YouTuber, Kevin Cuthbertson, restored it. Enthusiasts created a plaque next to it with Johnson's achievements in Madrid. 

If on the field Trent Alexander-Arnold is the clear connection point between Liverpool and Real Madrid, before the game fans of both teams have planned to meet to pay tribute to the Irishman who helped write the first chapters of Madrid history.