Leicester City great Davie Gibson pays tribute to "special" coach Bert Johnson

Former Leicester City star Davie Gibson today paid tribute to "the man who shaped my destiny."

Bert Johnson, who has died at the age of 93, was an influential coach at City in the Matt Gillies era.

But for him, Gibson may never have set foot in Leicester, let alone play more than 300 league and cup games, including two finals, for the club.

"I knew Matt and Bert were looking for someone to play on the left alongside Mike Stringfellow, who they had recently signed," said Gibson, now aged 70 and living in Dorset.

"There were a number of suggestions but, on seeing them play, Bert wasn't interested.

"By chance, he decided to cover a Celtic v Hibernian game at Parkhead. I was playing for Hibs and must have made an impression because, at half-time, Bert phoned Matt and told him 'I've found the player to play alongside Mike Stringfellow'."

That was a defining moment and Gibson became a City player in January, 1962.

"I want to thank Bert for shaping my destiny. If he hadn't gone to Parkhead where would I have finished up?

"Bert was a very special human being and one of the best coaches I've worked with. He never raised his voice in anger and I wish more coaches in the game today were like him, instead of shouting and bawling."

Gibson appeared in the 1963 and 1969 FA Cup finals – "the worst two games I ever played for City," he admitted.

Recently, he returned to Manchester for a dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of that final. "Although I was the only City player from that team there it was a great night and it was terrific to see so many of the Manchester players again."