John was a loyal servant of Tooting & Mitcham United which was his only senior club. He was a wholehearted player whether it be in midfield or defence, who always gave of his best and often popped up with vital goals.
He joined Tooting & Mitcham during the 1975-76 season after being spotted playing local football and stayed with us until the end of the 1983-84 campaign when he retired having being troubled with injury over a period of time. John scored on his debut in April 1976 in a 2-1 win at Bromley in the Premier Midweek Floodlight League. Another game that springs to mind relating to John was in September 1977 when the strong Dagenham side came to Sandy Lane on a Monday night and he crowned a superb individual display by getting the only goal of the game to send the Terrors top of the Isthmian League top flight for the first time in many years, truly an evening that was savoured by the Tooting faithful.
In April 1977 he played in our Surrey Senior Cup Final winning side that beat Croydon by a goal to nil at Gander Green Lane home of Sutton United FC. The winner coming late in the game through another firm Terrors favourite Desmond Dennis. John also received another Winners medal the following season in the same competition when we defeated Woking 2-1 at Leatherhead FC. By winning that Final Tooting & Mitcham made a bit of history by becoming the first club to lift the County Cup three years in succession. He also played for an Isthmian League representative side.
Over the years he has paid visits to Imperial Fields, he made over 300 appearances for his beloved Terrors scoring 28 goals.
Article written by Ian Bullock TMUFC Members Club Vice President
