John Lambkin turns 90 today! (February, 17th, 2024)
[February 1972 Club newsletter]:
John Lambkin played a few times for the Club while at school and joined the Club on leaving school in 1951. He has played every season since and at the end of this season will be the first member ever to complete 21 years with the Club. A regular 1st XI player from 1951-52 until 1968-69, although he only played a few games in 1959-60 because he was doing his National Service with the Army. Since 1969-70, he has been a regular 2nd XI player.
With 376 games he is 2nd in total number of appearances and 2nd in number of 1st XI games with 299 and was the 1st XI goalkeeper in every game when they set the record of 20 wins and one draw in their 21 games in season 1965-66, only conceding 17 goals, and in all the 22 games in 1966-67 when the record of only 14 goals conceded was made.
Complete record is as follows:
Games played for 1st XI: 299
2nd XI: 60
3rd XI: 10
Umpired: 7
Summer Hockey & Festival: 19
Indoor/6-a-side: 79
Grand total: 474
Goals: 9 (2 1st XI, 6 2nd XI, 1 3rd XI)
Apart from playing, John has always been one of the outstanding Club members, has certainly put more into the Club ad its running than most. Has always been ready to do more than his share of the work and organisation, particularly in things that are vitally important but receive little recognition. In the rough years of the 1951-56 period, he was always ready to have around at the last moment for the odd player, organise transport for away teams, look after the catering (or perhaps that should be “assist Yvonne”) at home games. In fact, he was the “regular” for this up until about 1965-66, and not only joined in every Club function but did more than most to see that they ran successfully. In 1956-57 he was Hon Sec., Vice Captain of 1st XI from 1966-67 and 68-69 seasons. He has since been a member of the committee and now a Social Secretary.
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John was later involved when the club took over the ground at Pattens Lane in the late 1980s. Along with Micky Russell, they produced two grass pitches. Later on, Yvonne and himself along with Chris and Sue King held boot fairs on a Sunday morning raising much-needed revenue for the Club.
John was a very keen gardener and grew just about everything – his tomatoes were second to none.
In recognition of his service to the Club, he was invited to ope our new premises at Holcombe Park (as per the plaque on the bar).
He carried on the maintenance of the early sand-based pitch and helped out Graham Robertson and Keith Martin with the general maintenance of the facility. Ever-present on a Saturday, he was and still is Mr. Popular, everybody loves John.
Unfortunately, due to ongoing health problems, John can no longer visit the Club but still retains his passion for the place, still with his forthright views.
Happy 90th birthday, John, and thank you for your tremendous service to the Club over some years.
Many happy returns and we all wish you the very best.