John was born in Lancashire, England in 1933 and became a proud Australian who devoted many hours of his life to his two passions – football and cricket. Past President and Life Member Phil Rees states in the 1992 KDSA (Ku-ring-gai and District Soccer Association) Annual Report that John’s “general demeanour, manners, behaviour and impeccable dress were a benchmark and an example for all to follow”.
John became involved with the Association in 1971 when he became a member of the KDSRA (Ku-ring-gai and District Soccer Referees Association). In 1972, John became an Executive Member of the KDSRA, remaining on the Executive until 1990. John is also a Life Member of this Association.
In 1984, John became the Referee Association delegate on the KDSA (Ku-ring-gai and District Soccer Association, now known as the Northern Suburbs Football Association or NSFA) Management Committee. This is a position he held until his untimely death in 1992.
In 1987, John became the KDSA Assistant Secretary. This was a tremendous boost to the growing Association. This is a position that John held until 1989. He then became the KDSA Secretary in 1990 and had a close working relationship with the then President Phil Rees. John held this position until his death in 1992. It must be remembered that the Association was run entirely by volunteers and there were no paid staff as we have today.
In 1991, John received a special award from New South Wales Amateur Soccer Federation for giving outstanding service to the sport over the years.
John always put his family, his work, his colleagues and his sport before himself. His funeral was held at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium in September 1992. The service was attended by his family, colleagues and hundreds of friends from all walks of life including the NSWASF Sydney Branch, KDSA and Clubs, KDSRA, the NSW Cricket Umpires Association and Brothers from the Parramatta Masonic Club which was a final and fitting tribute to this wonderful person.
John was made a Life Member of the NSFA in 1984. We thank John for his service and outstanding contributions to sport and sporting associations over the years in our region.