Part 2 His Memories Of His First Time At Salford
John’s arrival at Salford coincided not only with his brother, Mark’s, coaching appointment to the ‘A’ team, but also coincided with the appointment of Cliff Evans as coach to the first team, whilst Les Bettinson was brought in as his assistant.
“The Salford team I had joined was absolutely fantastic, and I knew from the very outset that I had got a really big job on even to get into the first team. I knew that I had to work with both the players and the coaches even to put myself in the position, ever, to play for them.
“As a half back, ahead of me, and in possession of the two first team half back positions, were Peter Banner (RLQSG#4) and Kenny Gill (RLQSG#10), which was the most incredible challenge for both Dave Harris, who was my half back partner, and I to have to face.
“In the early days of my time there I was being selected at fullback, centre, and even loose forward on one occasion, in order to see where I settled in best. I think that that is a good thing to do anyway, because it gives you an insight as to the demands of each position. If you are a winger, for example, you want that ball, but you want it at the right moment, and in the right conditions where you can make something of the chance.”
Despite, however, the seemingly almost impossible task of unseating the pair of future internationals, currently occupying the half back roles, John did make it into the ranks of the first team on many occasions, but one, in particular, he recalls with great pride.
“Owing to an injury to Kenny Gill, I played at stand-off in the Lancashire Cup Final, at Central Park, Wigan, when we lost 6-2 against Widnes. It was a cracking game, despite the fact that there was only one try scored, which proved to be decisive in the result.
“After the game Kenny came up to me and congratulated me on my performance, which he claimed would keep me in the side for the following week. I knew that I had played well but it was also pleasing to have had it acknowledged by him, so, right through the next weeks’ training sessions, I was hopeful of being called up to join the first team, but it never happened.
“That was really quite deflating because it had been such a great occasion the week before. I had especially enjoyed being greeted by all the supporters when I arrived at the ground, asking whether I was playing, and being able to say that I was and then receiving their best wishes for it, all of which sets you up to give of your best. It was, in fact, the pinnacle of my career at Salford, and I believe it should have got me an extended run in the team.”
There are many who might have been so discouraged at this turn of events that they might have done something they later regretted, such as demanding a transfer elsewhere. John, however, is made of sterner stuff than that, and also with a love for the club, so he just continued to work hard at his own game, being rewarded with a number of other occasional call-ups.
“Just walking out onto that field with over ten thousand fans generating so much noise in such a relatively small space, gave you the greatest high you could imagine. The greater the noise the more you wanted to do your best for them all, and that feeling would spread right through the team. The greatest aim was always to entertain – even possibly above winning – because it was the entertainment value that people especially wanted. Even on the occasions we ended up losing, we always felt that we could walk off with our heads held high.
“Going into the Social Club after the game, though, was for me rather overpowering and I can’t say I really enjoyed it probably because I find being the centre of attention difficult to handle. We had a truly magnificent team, and to be part of that squad was the main thing of all for me, and I did eventually force my way into the game day squad on a regular basis, usually as substitute.
“I really felt an actual part of the team one night after training, when Chris Hesketh invited me to join them in their regular visit to a pub in Boothstown, which I quickly accepted. When we arrived, I was absolutely astounded to find none other than George Best sitting there; I nearly passed out. Not only that, but alongside him were Peter Reid and Mike Summerbee. I just felt as though Chris had taken us to the stars.
“That was around the time we won the First Division Championship for the first time, in 1972/3, and I was involved in quite a few of the games throughout that season, even if it were only a case of being on the bench.
“Every time I got an opportunity to step up to first team level, I told myself that this time I was going to nail it and secure a regular place in the side, but it just didn’t happen. Then, much to my dismay, in 1975, they signed another player, whom I thought an average union player. Had he been anything more than that, it would not have upset me so much when he was promptly put into the first team.
“Consequently, I handed in a transfer request, and, within two weeks, Leigh had come in with an offer. I signed for them and went there, after having been at The Willows for a period of five years.”
Catch up on previous parts.
Part 2 His Memories Of His Time With With The Team Of Stars
Part 3 He Remembers His Former Salford Teammates
