John signed on the dotted line at Craven Park on February 6, 1947 and made his first-team debut away at Leigh on March 13, 1948, with his final appearance away at Wakefield on October 18, 1952.
John was a talented player like many others in the area during the 1940s and 50s, but Barrow’s first team were riding on the crest of a wave in the late forties and early fifties, so it was a difficult period to command a regular place.
A winger or centre, John was up against a talented three-quarter line which included an all-international back line of Jimmy Lewthwaite, Phil Jackson, Dennis Goodwin and Frank Castle.
He had to bide his time in the ‘A’ team, and it was 12 months later that his debut came losing 12-3 at Leigh, but he did manage to score a try.
After an impressive game he played in six of the final seven games of the season.
Two of the six games stand out for John, his first Craven Park try in the game with Bell Vue Rangers, while playing a big part in the 15-9 win at Halifax.
In the season of 1948/49, he managed only five first team appearances including one against the Australian tourist who defeated Barrow 11-5.
Realising that a regular spot was not going to be easy and following 34 appearances and four tries to his name, he called it a day to return to the amateur scene.
John for many years was a popular butcher in Rawlinson Street.
He was the elder brother of Mick, who also played for Barrow from 1958 to 1965.
John’s funeral service takes place at St Mary’s Church, Duke Street on Monday, June 8, at 1.15pm.
Ronnie Coulthard, a former Walney Central, Britannia and Ulverston player, also passed last week.
Ronnie was a strong ball winning hooker who could also play on the wing.