He began his career at Blackburn Rovers as a young trainee, and also spent time on loan at Preston North End. During these spells he impressed to a level where he was signed for £50,000 by Hartlepool United. He went on to make over fifty appearances for the 'Pool, scoring eleven goals in the process. At the end of his contract, he was signed by Bury manager Stan Ternent who wanted to add some toughness to his central midfield. Johnrose was a central character in Bury's rapid rise to the First Division. Ternent saw the midfielder as so important to his sides that he paid £225,000 to take Johnrose with him to his new club, Burnley. At the end of the 2002–03 season he was released on a free transfer, but resigned for the club four months on a week-to-week basis. Later he re-signed for another of his old clubs, Bury. After three months he again moved, this time to Swansea City. Johnrose helped Swansea City avoid relegation from the Third Division out of the Football League, scoring three crucial goals that season. Two goals in one week in March helped earn an away draw at Kidderminster and a home victory against Oxford. His final, and most crucial goal in a Swansea shirt, came on the final Saturday of the 2002–2003 season. Swansea City had to equal or better Exeter's result against Southend in their game at the Vetch Field versus Hull City in order to preserve their league status. Johnrose poked home from close range from a Roberto Martinezfree-kick early in the second half to put the Swans 3–2 and send a packed Vetch Field into raptures. The Swans won 4–2 and preserved their league status at the expense of Exeter. In the summer of 2003, Johnrose was offered a 12-month contract with Swansea, and started the 2003–2004 season in the unfamiliar role of centre half. After recovering from a hamstring injury, Johnrose briefly became captain and reverted to his more familiar defensive central midfield role. Around Christmas 2003, a further 12-month contract extension at the end of that season was discussed, but when manager Brian Flynn left the club by mutual consent in March 2004, Johnrose had his contract paid up and left the Swans within two days. Johnrose signed for Burnley for a third time on transfer deadline day. He helped 'the Clarets' avoid relegation from the First Division.
