You play sports to meet people and form friendship's, usually these are formed from within the four walls of your own club, sometime's they come from other clubs.
The relationship that John and I formed over the years was as strong as any that I have, we shared club information to help benefit each other's interests and when the chips were down and we'd had enough of our roles we always turned to each other for some inspiration to keep going.
There was always passing comments that we'd unite and share our workloads and sometimes a different scenery can make a world of difference, the problem was that John bled the red and the blue and I had the utmost respect for that, the EPFCC needed John there and the PDCA needs the EPFCC as a force in it's competition, John always ensured that they kept a strong cricket club going.
The juniors that have become men have all had John's influence and their well-being was always at the top of his list of importance, it shows with the respect that he receives from these young guys now that have become quality A grade cricketers.
Words cannot express the horrible feeling I got when I received the call on Saturday after coming off from an umpiring game out in the country, I felt so alone and so gutted that someone that gives so much could be taken away from us.
John often watched Smithfield FC home matches when Eastern Park played away, I went straight to Smithfield Oval just to watch the last quarter and have a look over to the light post where I always seen the big fella, he wasn't there and it hit me.
So much to say but I guess a lot of us have, a true gentleman, a gentle giant that had infinite wisdom for the game, the hearty discussions will be sorely missed, going to Eastern Park will never be the same for me again.
My heart goes out to those who knew him best and helped him in his plight to make EPFCC the club it is.
RIP John.
