Born: London, 28.09.55.

Gary Johnson was appointed manager of Bristol City in September 2005, having previously been manager at Yeovil Town.

The Londoner steered the club away from the relegation zone to the verge of the play-offs in League One during his first season - then guided his new-look side to automatic promotion in second place during 2006/07.

A two-year contract extension commited the boss to the Ashton Gate club until 2010 in August 2007 - and City went to reach the play-off final at the first time of asking back in the Coca-Cola Championship. A slender 1-0 defeat to Hull City at Wembley prevented City from reaching the Premier League, but, under Gary's guidance, they club is determined to go one better in 2008/09.

Previously to joining City, Gary spent a four-year spell in charge at Yeovil. In that time the Glovers won the FA Trophy in 2002 before gaining Football League status for the first time in their history after winning the Conference title a year later. In 2004/05 Johnson led Yeovil to a further promotion by guiding the Somerset club to the League Two title.

A former Watford player, Gary's other League management experience was gained at Cambridge United where he replaced Ian Atkins as manager in 1993.

Four years earlier Cambridge had promoted Gary, then reserve team manager, to the post of first team coach to work alongside manager John Beck. The duo led the club to two promotions and twice to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Gary left Cambridge in 1995 and went on to work as Academy Director at Watford, under manager Graham Taylor, before being appointed Latvia national coach in 1999.