Last evening I received the sad news concerning the death of my long-standing friend and loyal Alty supporter John Canning, who had avidly following the fortunes (and misfortunes) of the Robins for the last 35 years.
Born on the outskirts of Glasgow, John was educated in the school of hard knocks as a Hamilton Academical FC ball boy and had followed his beloved Accies all over Scotland during his formative years.
Following a Home Office immigration & border control job transfer from Heathrow to Manchester Airport, he first started watching the Robins during the 1985/86 season and his allegiance was soon cemented by that famous FA Cup night at Birmingham City on 14th January 1986.
It was the following season that I first got to know John, as he migrated upwards to sit with a band of Alty diehards at the back of the main stand that included myself, my chum Richard Webb, Barry Heaton, the club’s current financial guru Mike Adams and that much-missed Moss Lane stalwart Rene Stuart.
Never afraid to express a forthright observation, John’s booming Caledonian tones became a familiar part of the Moss Lane matchday soundtrack, whether admonishing yet another misplaced pass (“We’re in
red!”), plaintively bemoaning a torturous defeat (his trademark Private Frazeresque “Rrrrrrubbish!”) or mischievously rejoicing in the Robins outperforming some full-time ex-Football League opponents (“Come on you part-timers!”).
Not to mention a few memorable verbal duels with Graham Heathcote at various grounds over the years! Once he was no longer a presence in the dugout, I think that Graham secretly missed these mid-match public ‘debates’, as he invariably had a laugh with John when he encountered him at games in later years.
Under his pseudonym VofD (‘Voice of Dissent’), John was a regular trenchant, acerbic and idiosyncratic contributor to the Alty fans forum over many years. Whilst you may not always have agreed with his forceful opinions (and, indeed, many didn’t!), there was no denying his fervent passion for Altrincham FC.
John was abrasive, kind, amusing, endearingly curmudgeonly and very generous. Whether in the sheer elation of an FA Cup triumph over Barnsley or the utter despair of a 5-0 FA Trophy drubbing at Colne Dynamoes, he always remained a humorous and entertaining companion. It will undoubtedly be extremely odd not to have him sitting alongside me in the main stand next season.
A genuine character. RIP, my old friend.
John Canning won the Altrincham FC online bid for the Remembrance Day captain's armband for the benefit of the Royal British Legion, with a bid of £100.
John is seen, right, making his donation to a Poppy Appeal representative (21st November 2015).