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'Exceptional' French passes away
Andrew Schooler3 Dec - 15:45
Former Harwich star John French, a mainstay of the Shrimpers' defence for much of the 1970s, has died at the age of 80.
Harwich and Parkeston FC is sad to report the death of 1970s star John French at the age of 80.
John passed away in Chelmsford recently following illness.
A centre-back, he joined the Shrimpers in February 1971 when the club was in the Athenian League.
John remained part of the team which moved into the Isthmian League in 1973 and was a member of the 1975/76 side which reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy, scoring in the 3-0 win over Stourbridge during that campaign.
That proved to be his final season at the Royal Oak, during which time he played approximately 180 games and scored 16 goals. He also represented Tilbury, Grays Athletic and Brightlingsea United.
Joint-chairman Tony Arrmstrong said: “I had the privilege of playing behind John at both Harwich and Tilbury.
“He was an exceptional player, good in the air, an excellent distributor and a tough, physical centre-half. Opposition players hated playing against him. In my opinion he would go down as one of the best defenders I played behind, alongside Steve Page.
“Thanks for the memories, John, both on and off the pitch. Another Shrimper ‘in the sky’. Rest in peace, big man!”
John is pictured in the 1974/75 team photo. He is in the standing row, the fourth from the left of the five players.
John passed away in Chelmsford recently following illness.
A centre-back, he joined the Shrimpers in February 1971 when the club was in the Athenian League.
John remained part of the team which moved into the Isthmian League in 1973 and was a member of the 1975/76 side which reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy, scoring in the 3-0 win over Stourbridge during that campaign.
That proved to be his final season at the Royal Oak, during which time he played approximately 180 games and scored 16 goals. He also represented Tilbury, Grays Athletic and Brightlingsea United.
Joint-chairman Tony Arrmstrong said: “I had the privilege of playing behind John at both Harwich and Tilbury.
“He was an exceptional player, good in the air, an excellent distributor and a tough, physical centre-half. Opposition players hated playing against him. In my opinion he would go down as one of the best defenders I played behind, alongside Steve Page.
“Thanks for the memories, John, both on and off the pitch. Another Shrimper ‘in the sky’. Rest in peace, big man!”
John is pictured in the 1974/75 team photo. He is in the standing row, the fourth from the left of the five players.
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