John was a Vice President of the club and a regular player in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
He was in the Great Britain team for the Helsinki and Melbourne Olympics, winning a bronze medal in 1952 and missing out on a medal by coming 4th in 1956. He won 18 GB and 37 England caps.
He was in the Chelmsford 1st XI for many years. He managed this with his duties at Felsted School where he was in charge of hockey and cricket as well as a housemaster and Mathematics teacher. To international level he coached Derek Pringle, Nick Knight and John Stephenson at cricket and Tony Ekins, Richard Oliver and Geoff Nott at hockey.
He played 8 first class cricket matches. These were mostly for Cambridge University, but he also played for the Minor Counties against the 1953 Australian side including Lindwall and Benaud. He won blues for both cricket and hockey.
Not only was he an outstanding right half and all round sportsman, but he was good company and a regular in the bar after a game. His contribution to the club and the sport was immense. He continued to live in Felsted after he retired in 1989. He leaves a widow Heather, 3 children and grandchildren.
Friends are invited to celebrate John’s life at a Service of Thanksgiving in the School Chapel on Friday 26th June at 4pm, followed by light refreshments and a Felsted Robins CC 20/20 cricket match. Please email ofs@felsted.org by 12th June if you will be attending.