Tribute by Colin Hide

John spent most of his working life at the University; firstly as a chargehand within the Sport Grounds Service, then a senior chargehand and finally being promoted to the post of Head Groundsman.

John was a quiet, unassuming man who, whatever the pressure, and whatever the difficulty, got the job done. He was never ill – indeed, I can’t remember that he ever had a day off through illness in his working life.

He lived at home with his mother and increasingly looked after her in her advancing years.

For holidays he would visit his sister in Canada.

When he retired John continued to work for the University as the Stoughton Road Playing Fields Pavilion attendant, a role which he enjoyed as it kept him in contact with students and the current groundstaff.

Colin Hide, former Director of Sport