John made 63 first team appearances, making his debut on 10 March 1979 at Acklam Park Middlesbrough, the Vale losing 17-9, but there was a better outcome in John's final first team game on 27 February 1982 when the Vale defeated Wilmslow at The Lane, 25-6. In his first team career John accumulated a total of 5 tries his first being scored in a home game against Percy Park in April 1979 when he collected a brace in a 57-10 victory.
In addition to being ideally built for the rigours of second or back row rugby, John's physique was also perfect for him to be considered a very promising goalkeeper in the locality, but it was to the oval ball game that John nailed his colours.
As a lock forward John was considered by some a gentle giant but when roused and his dander was up, my goodness he couldn't half dish it out. He could suddenly become a veritable one man volcanic eruption that not only terrified the opposition but had his comrades diving for cover and wide eyed in wonder at what had caused such an explosion. Provocation, either physical or verbal, was sometimes enough to light the touch paper but some pundits did suggest that perhaps one of his team mates should occasionally provide a spark to start the lava flowing.
John is immensely proud of being associated with the Vale, in addition to mum's and dad's long connection to the club, although he does admit that mum's role was more akin to that of a "golf widow." He still treasures the memory of the photograph in the clubhouse featuring those mud encrusted "Sons of Gentlemen;" Dad Brian, John Gill, Liam Aspden, Ron Higgin, Harry Jackson, Hugh Kennon and Doug Aitken.
On a visit to the Vale John walked onto the "hallowed turf" which rekindled memories of his playing days for the first team and "running in tries" for the seconds, plus an epic, ground breaking tour to Florida. A stand out achievement was playing for the North of England Under 19's against Australia, along with Mark Nelson. Included in the Australian side were the two mercurial Ella brothers, Gary and Marl, while he thinks in the North side were future England internationals, Peter Winterbottom, Nigel Melville and John Olver.
John's recollections only confirm what a special place the Vale holds for so many people. You can take the man out of the Vale, but not the Vale out of the man. I will leave you to change "man" for women, girl or boy, in the P.C., world.
John emigrated to Australia with his family in 2004 to work as a Facilities Manager at Sydney University. Then in 2006 he left to work for the Youth Hostel Association in Darwen and Melbourne for eight years before moving back to the U.K., to be near to his wife's parents in the North East, where John worked for Northgate Vehicle Hire in Darlington.
However, after the sunny climes of Australia, two years of the wind, rain and cold experienced in the North East hastened their return to down under. They now live on the Australian Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, near to a town called Forster and enjoy blue skies, miles of secluded white sandy beaches and the thrill of swimming with whales and dolphins. A far cry from Redcar and Saltburn! John is still a Facilities Manager responsible for 3,500 Telstra buildings.
The missive from John to Fred came as a huge surprise because following a visit to Australia made by Fred, Madeleine, Jane and Reg Robinson a few years back, they met up in Sydney with Sarah (nee Mugliston), husband Carl and John. Email addresses were exchanged but then everything went quiet until August 2017, when "Young Wrig" contacted Fred, to bring everyone up to speed.