Former Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Darlington defender Peter Johnson played a handful of games for Exeter City in the mid-1980s in between arriving from Whitby Town (where he had been since leaving Crewe) and departing for Southend United. He also appeared for Bristol City (loan), Doncaster, Gillingham and Peterborough in a near 400-game Football League  

Peter commenced his career as a Middlesbrough apprentice and, after becoming a full professional in October 1976, went on to feature in 43 league matches. He moved to Newcastle United in October 1980 from where he had a loan spell with Bristol City ahead of joining Doncaster Rovers in March 1983. Peter then moved on to Darlington, where he made 89 league appearances, before joining Whitby Town in the summer of 1985. He then briefly returned to the Football League with Crewe Alexandra prior to a second brief stint with Whitby.

Arriving as a late-season signing, Peter made his Exeter City debut against Peterborough United on 19 March 1986 as the club struggled near the foot of Division Four. 

Playing just four more times, he was a stop-gap signing and soon left for a rather more substantial career with Southend United for whom he made 126 league appearances before moving on to Gillingham in August 1989 ahead of further spells with Airdrie, Peterborough United and Wycombe Wanderers. 

Finally clocking-up 399 Football League appearances, Peter later became a part-time coach at York City working with the junior teams.