In memory of John Houghton

Posted 5th August 2024

The death of John Houghton, who  was a member of the Class of  ’53 -  more of which later – deprives the Association of a great servant, the Football Club in particular, for whom he played 297 games
            Bill Burgoyne, a contemporary of his, once described John   in a football report  thus:
“It was as if John had wheels on his boots, such was the majesty with  which he moved up and down the pitch”
            But it was what John did off the pitch that made him a special Old Wilsonian. Playing is easy -  granted, some find it easier than others – but it is those who put in that special effort, both before and after games,  that make them stand out from the rest and John epitomised those individuals to perfection in his capacity of both secretary and team secretary,  both of which are onerous positions and involve day to day attention and not for just 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon
            John supported Blackpool Football Club
            “When I was about seven I went on a family holiday to Blackpool”, he once told me. “It was August and upon realising the football season was just about to start, and Blackpool were playing at home on that day, I asked my Dad if we could go and see the game, which we did, and I have been a fan ever since”

            One of the many things that a secretary has to do is ensure that players are fed after a game, and John’s Shepherds pies became legendary.
            Wife Val, who sadly died in 2013, was totally supportive and always answered the ‘phone in a cheery voice and also washed the kit
“I always know which shirt was yours because it is always covered in blood”, she divulged one week
            Said shirts were invariably picked up on a Saturday morning by Geoff Robinson, who lived near by and whom John described as “Shy and unassuming” until, of course, he ventured onto the football pitch when he would give his opposing winger  the sort of welcome that would make it quite clear as to who was boss for the rest of the afternoon
            Several years ago I was asked by Graham Cole, another member of the Class of ’53 -  see earlier -  asking me if I could help him get together as many of their contemporaries as possible in order to make a trip to the old school – in Camberwell – which was accomplished and John, together with Colin Smith, Charlie Evans, Mike George, Dave Cohen, Graham Cole himself  and a few others, whom I cannot remember, enjoyed a pub lunch in the Grove House Tavern before enjoying a pleasant afternoon  in Wilson Rd reminiscing about old times;  rumour has it that they might have returned to the pub afterwards!

            John was related, by marriage, to Gerry Adams, an adversity he met with stoicism and true grit
            We will  all miss John, a gentle man and a gentleman
            His funeral will be held on:

            Friday August 23rd at Beckenham Crematorium at 11-00 a.m. and will no doubt be attended by a large number of Old Wilsonians