Johnson's wins in the previous season had provided him with his first ranking points and they were enough for him to be ranked 23rd in the world. In the last 48 of the 1983 International Open Johnson beat Dennis Hughes 5–1 and then lost 5–2 to Eddie Charlton in the last 32. Johnson began the untelevised 1983 Professional Players Tournament in fine form with an opening frame 117 break in a last 64 5–3 win over Pascal Burke. In the last 32 Johnson beat a young up and coming Jimmy White 5–3 to set up a rematch against Eddie Charlton, which this time Johnson won 5–0 and included a 111 break. In the quarter final Johnson beat the highly ranked Cliff Thorburn 5–1 and in the semi final Johnson beat Tony Meo 9–6 in order to reach his first major final against Tony Knowles. 1–6 down to Tony Knowles at one stage, Johnson fought back to take the match to a decider, and losing 9–8. At the 1983 UK Championship Johnson beat Matt Gibson 9–6. In the last 32 Johnson made a 119 break on his way to beating John Virgo 9–6 in the last 32. In the last 16 Johnson beat David Taylor 9–3 to earn himself another quarter final appearance where he lost 9–2 to Terry Griffiths. At the 1984 Classic Johnson beat Frank Jonik 5–2 in the last 48 before losing 5–4 to John Spencer in the last 32[29]. At the 1984 International Masters Johnson lost 2–0 to Colin Roscoe and Doug French in the qualifying group stage. In qualifying for the 1984 World Championship Johnson won his first match, a last 48 encounter with Matt Gibson 10–3 and this earned Johnson made his debut at the Crucible stage of the 1984 World Snooker Championship, where he was beaten 10–1 by Dennis Taylor. Johnson ended the season with prize money of £12,900 the 18th highest for the season and 4 ranking points.