The Bury-born winger - one of the club’s longest-serving players - helped her side to promotion to the Women’s National Division before they were granted entry to the FA Women’s Super League.
Having witnessed the Blues’ radical transformation, ‘Joey’ asserts she is delighted to see the club challenging at the highest level.
“I still can’t believe it,” she declared. “To be in the quarter-finals of the Continental Cup and then to potentially win the title and guarantee Champions League football three days later is amazing.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster and it’s crazy to think how far we’ve come in just two seasons.
“Just to say we are fighting for these honours in our second season together is just incredible and to have gone unbeaten in the second half of the season is a fantastic achievement.
“It’s quite a bit different to how it was before to say the least with the quality of the squad and the facilities available to us.
“On a personal level, my own development as a player has been huge. That’s down to Nick Cushing and the time he’s spent with me. I can’t thank him enough for that.
“I always try and grab opportunities when they come. We’ve had some injuries to some key players but other players have stepped up and that just proves how vital it is to have a strong squad.”
Johnston played a key role in last season’s Continental Cup success, providing the assist for Izzy Christiansen‘s winner in the final.
In a repeat of the 2014 finale, City face Arsenal at Boreham Wood tonight in the quarters. Having tasted success, Johnston now wants more of it and insists the Blues are desperate to keep the trophy.
“We’ve got a massive few days ahead but we’re ready for it,” she stated. “We’re so determined to retain the trophy. It’s ours and we want to keep it!
“Arsenal away is always one of the toughest games but we’ve prepared for it.
“This team is still a new team – it takes time to gel together – and we’ve done so well to get ourselves into the position we’re in.
“We have a lot to fight for and we’ll do everything we can to win more silverware.”
Johnston also took time to thank the City supporters, who have played such an important part in the club’s recent success.
She smiled: “The crowd have been amazing. The team always talk about how lucky we are to have them.
“They keep coming back and cheering us on; we even have little drums going – and we love that.
“On social media, they’re always posting messages of support too. They’re just a class apart and we hope that will continue.”
Show your support for Manchester City Women and cheer the Blues on to victory against Notts County. MCFC Seasoncard holders and Cityzens Members can claim TWO FREE TICKETS to the game. Details can be found here.
