Wembley winner Gary Johnson has seen both sides of Dan Burn's 'passionate and aggressive' personality.
Johnson started the career of the Newcastle defender when he had him on loan in Yeovil in Yeovil from Fulham.
Burn helped the Glovers to shoot in the championship for the first time in their history-especially the scoring of a header against Brentford in the League One Play-off final.
But only three months later, Johnson and Burn had tormented on each other when he played for Birmingham in a Carabao Cup -equal game.
Johnson, 69, now sports director at Cheltenham, said: “Then it is incredibly competitive, he would kick his grandmother if he had to.
“He was a main player for us because we had set up 7 in free kicks and long throws at 6ft.
“He was quickly for someone so long, had a great left foot and was able to play everywhere along the left, which England has seen in him.
“It was a great loan for everyone and it put him on the map.
“Then was a great boy, but I remember it had us after he had left us, it was the Second World War when we played against him and Birmingham.
“Burn was in my face when Byron Webster scored a goal for us after Birmingham had put the ball out of the game after an injury and expected we would give it back to them.
“At first I decided that we should not give it back and there was a child whose career I had helped, that nose shouted at me.
“That was the only lack of respect that I saw from him – but I understood why he did it.”
Johnson has long forgotten Die Spuug and has nothing but admiration for the Blyth Boy, 32, who ended for 70 years for Newcastle in Wembley on Sunday.
Days after he was called by England Burn, in Dreamland was on his way to the opener against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
Johnson said: “Not long after watching the final, I received an SMS from Fulham's Academy that coach Vic Bettinelli said:” You were making big than burn. “
“That was a bit VIC, but it was strange to see Burn-score with his head and it was in the same goal. Our one was a bit closer, but it brought us 2-0 in just before the break and it helped to give our championship football.
“It brought a number of fantastic memories back. I am proud that I and the Yeovil supporters saw the early success of a young than Burn.”
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