Rossendale Mourn Death Of Record Appearance Holder
Sun 6th February 2011 | Rossendale United | By Ian Templeman
Everyone at Rossendale United is mourning the death of Johnny Clark, who holds the club record for first team appearances.
Johnny passed away at the age of 84 at Turfecote Nursing Home in Haslingden last week.
He was born in Liverpool in 1926 and moved to the Rossendale Valley as a child. He was signed by Rossendale in 1946 from Bury where he had played for the reserves and went on to make a club record 750 appearances for the club between 1946 and 1965, most of them at left back.
Johnny made his debut in a 2-2 draw at Morecambe on the 11th January 1947 and established himself as first choice left back the following season, a position he was to hold for the next 15 seasons. His first goal for the club came in a 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic in 1952 and he was to add 12 more over his career.
He missed just 2 games in the 1954/55 season as Rossendale finished runners up in the Lancashire Combination, the club's highest finish during his career. He also played a key role as Rossy won the Lancashire Combination Division Two Championship and promotion in 1956/57. During the 2nd half of the 1962/63 season at the age of 37, he lost his place at left back to Graeme Lord but returned midway through the following season to help out the club at right back.
The 1964/65 season was to be his last, and after making a dozen appearances at full back, he made his final appearance on the last day of the season in a 3-2 defeat at Dark Lane against South Liverpool - ironically at centre half.
As well as a record 620 league games, Johnny also made a record 130 cup appearances, including a record 38 FA Cup appearances. He picked runners up medals in the Lancashire Combination Cup against Bangor City in 1949 and the Lancashire Junior Cup against New Brighton in 1957. He also had winner's medals in the East Lancashire Charity Cup in 1957 and 1958.
It is the nature of the modern game that Johnny's record is highly unlikely to ever be beaten, and his deserved place in Rossendale United's history is secure.
His funeral is on Tuesday, February 8, when the Reverend Anthony Bradshaw will conduct a service at St Paul's Church, Ramsbottom, at 12.15pm, followed by cremation at Rossendale Crematorium at 1.30pm.
Dave Rogan
Rossendale Mourn Death Of Record Appearance Holder
Sun 6th February 2011 | Rossendale United
By Ian Templeman
Everyone at Rossendale United is mourning the death of Johnny Clark, who holds the club record for first team appearances.
Johnny passed away at the age of 84 at Turfecote Nursing Home in Haslingden last week.
He was born in Liverpool in 1926 and moved to the Rossendale Valley as a child. He was signed by Rossendale in 1946 from Bury where he had played for the reserves and went on to make a club record 750 appearances for the club between 1946 and 1965, most of them at left back.
Johnny made his debut in a 2-2 draw at Morecambe on the 11th January 1947 and established himself as first choice left back the following season, a position he was to hold for the next 15 seasons. His first goal for the club came in a 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic in 1952 and he was to add 12 more over his career.
He missed just 2 games in the 1954/55 season as Rossendale finished runners up in the Lancashire Combination, the club's highest finish during his career. He also played a key role as Rossy won the Lancashire Combination Division Two Championship and promotion in 1956/57. During the 2nd half of the 1962/63 season at the age of 37, he lost his place at left back to Graeme Lord but returned midway through the following season to help out the club at right back.
The 1964/65 season was to be his last, and after making a dozen appearances at full back, he made his final appearance on the last day of the season in a 3-2 defeat at Dark Lane against South Liverpool - ironically at centre half.
As well as a record 620 league games, Johnny also made a record 130 cup appearances, including a record 38 FA Cup appearances. He picked runners up medals in the Lancashire Combination Cup against Bangor City in 1949 and the Lancashire Junior Cup against New Brighton in 1957. He also had winner's medals in the East Lancashire Charity Cup in 1957 and 1958.
It is the nature of the modern game that Johnny's record is highly unlikely to ever be beaten, and his deserved place in Rossendale United's history is secure.
His funeral is on Tuesday, February 8, when the Reverend Anthony Bradshaw will conduct a service at St Paul's Church, Ramsbottom, at 12.15pm, followed by cremation at Rossendale Crematorium at 1.30pm.
Dave Rogan
