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General Category => Altrincham FC First Team => Topic started by: Saughall Robin on February 07, 2023, 04:00:11 PM
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Absolutely gutted to read this on the club site.
We owe so so much to him both on and off the pitch.
A true and utter legend for us and a great bloke to boot.
God bless, Kingy!
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A true club legend. My thoughts are with his family.
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I salute you John King.
Rest in Peace.
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condolances to Johns FamilyRip John and dont kick the pearly gates down.
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Rest in peace Kingy.
An Alty legend.
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Desperately sad news. Kingy was quite simply one of the most iconic figures in the history of Altrincham FC. He was at the heart of pretty much all the success the club enjoyed from the late 70s until the mid 90s in the APL, the Fa Cup and Fa Trophy and as if that weren't enough was pivotal in saving the club from liquidation.
R.I.P. to the Greatest of them all.
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Gone to join Heaven's Best 11. Kingy still rocks. R.I.P Big Man.
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RIP John, condolence's to family and friends. True Alty Legend, privileged to see him play for us in our glory days.
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Very sad news.
RIP Big man
Condolences to family and friends
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His arrival in '77 was the catalyst which brought about the period for which the club is best remembered and established our name as one to be respected. From his home debut goal, to his return in '94 to re-take the reigns and save us from certain relegation, to giving up his shareholding a few years ago (the results of which we are witnessing now) his contribution to our club are incalculable. RIP Kingy.
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I don't think that the words exist to adequately describe John and his impact on the Club both on and off the pitch.
A truly lovely, kind and considerate man, and a significantly better footballer than he often got credit for.
I suggest that the term legend cannot ever be used to describe anyone Altrincham related in the future..nobody can match Kingy's legendary status
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Such sad news. RIP to the greatest to be associated with our club. Thoughts are with friends and family at this sad time
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What a shame R.I.P 😔
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Sad news a true legend.
Deepest condolences to his family and friends
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No words, I tried, none were respectful enough.
There are some who deserve to be in the conversation for the definitive "Mr Altrincham" but for me it's John King forever.
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R I P" Kingy"
Was a True Alty Legend.
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RIP Kingy. A true Club legend and hero of mine. The Choir Invisible will be singing "Kingy's gonna get ya" at the Pearly Gates
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RIP John King.
A very sad day indeed.
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Such sad news and a real shock. A great man and a wonderful character, RIP John and thanks for all those memories.
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A terribly sad day for the club.
If the day ever comes that we commission a statue outside the ground, there's a good chance it will be this fella forever immortalised.
RIP Kingy - let's go and win the Trophy in his honour.
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Heartbroken to hear this, got on well with John King. He used to give my sons Chris and Alex chewing gum. Met him at the Breakfast with the King alongside the great first team squad of 1990/91, at the Bowden Hotel. I actually said to him I was thoroughly enjoying watching his team play, he was delighted to hear and invited me to meet the players next game, which I subsequently did - spoke to Paul Showler at great length in the changing room.
He also invited my wife Carys to meet the players in the dressing room on her birthday once, however she exited stage left when the players threatened to throw her in the showers. I was a steward at one time working at the back of the changing rooms. I once heard his team talk. He was yelling at the top of his voice and firing the players up before a game with Stalybridge. We went on to win it 4-1, I wasn't in the least bit surprised as it made ME want to kick the nearest wall in!
Not only was he a great player and manager, he was a really nice guy as well. Rest in Peace Kingy, you'll always be a hero to me!!
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Tribute to JK on Alty TV now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTc2nkQR11Q
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We all knew he was unwell but this is still terribly sad. My earliest memories of watching Alty were with the Kingy & ‘Cote double act that would be built into the great 90/91 team & then when he returned to save us from certain relegation in ‘94 & onto a great season with another trip to Spurs. Too young to ever see him as a player but have enjoyed all the many stories of course.
Away from the pitch too with his contribution in the summer of ‘95 when Maunders took the Spurs money & pulled the plug & then his more recent donation of his historic shareholding to enable us to seek fresh investment.
The only fitting tributes for me are either a statue or a stand named after him.
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Sad news. Definitely one of my greatest Alty players! Will always remember his goal at Wembley in 78 and Kingy whipping his shirt around his head in celebration. R.I.P.
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A Husband - A Dad -A Grandad -A Businessmen -A Gentlemen -A Bloody No Nonsense Footballer -A Brilliant Manager -A Amazing Human -A Legend - A King
Rest in peace good sir, the Alty team in heaven have just had there captain signed.
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Very sad news. All I will say (speaking from personal experience) is that it is probably a blessing both for the great man and his family in light of the cursed affliction of dementia. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Where on earth do you start when endeavouring to pay tribute to the gargantuan contribution that he made to Altrincham FC, both on and off the field?
I recall the arrival of this colossus at Moss Lane in late November 1977. Merely five months later, he captained the Robins and scored a goal in that memorable victory in the FA Trophy Final. Those of us who were privileged to be in attendance at Wembley on that April afternoon will never forget his spontaneous goal celebration of ripping off his shirt and then joyously waving it above his head. Several hours (and pints in The Moss) later, my friend's father could be witnessed re-enacting that very incident in the front garden of a house in Hale, much to his dear wife's general bewilderment!
So many marvellous memories ensued, including his famous tussle with Ossie Ardiles at White Hart Lane in 1979; Joe Neenan's legendary right knee in 1980 and then guiding the club to a second FA Trophy triumph in 1986 (I believe that he became the first man to have both played for and managed an FA Trophy-winning team).
Onwards to that dazzling and fondly-remembered side of 1990/91; another contest with Spurs in 1995 and then, just a few months later, his pivotal role in securing the club's future after the abrupt exit of John Maunders.
The ultimate midfield competitor/hardman/enforcer (take your pick of epithet) but, as Alty Tunnel Steward rightly states earlier in this thread, the man could certainly play and his sweet left foot was often overlooked owing to the intimidating aura that surrounded him.
A towering figure in the Non League sphere and a truly one-of-a-kind character. The reminiscences and anecdotes at his funeral should be priceless.
Someone should have tapped into his career and memories and written a book about his exploits long ago. Perhaps a special one-off Robins Review could be compiled and produced in his honour?
Let's win the FA Trophy as a fitting tribute to him and his legacy.
He remains immortal in my mind, dominating the pitch in those red-and-white stripes.
"O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning."
(https://fanbanter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/158693402_10159368287053055_5108493715933178621_n-761x1024.jpg)
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Probably the single most iconic figure in my time watching Altrincham, who achieved so much in different roles.
i am sure everybody knows, but he captained us to two Alliance Premier League championships and FA Trophy win,managed us to another FA Trophy win and our best ever run in the FA Cup, and even played a major part in saving the club's existence as a director. What achievements (and I have left several out) and what a character too!
RIP.
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Hard to follow all these wonderful tributes and memories . One of the most influential players we've ever had , one of the best managers we've ever had , one of the most popular ever and last but not least and in a class of his own , THE greatest and most iconic legend in the clubs history . King John will live forever in the hearts and minds of all of us lucky enough to be around when he ruled his kingdom unaposed . He was an absolute Goliath in every sense of the word . The club should surely mark the passing of the great man with a suitable tribute , be it a stand name , sports hall or the ultimate statue , his status of the GOAT ( greatest of all time ) must merit a lasting memorial in his honour.
What a hero , what a legend , what a man . Long live the King of Altrincham F.C.
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Very sad news for all Altrincham supporters, and for me he ranks alongside the likes of Swindells as a true Alty great.
Worth remembering that, whatever setbacks wev may sometimes face as a club, they absolutely pale into insignificance compared to the situation we faced in the Spring of 1995, when, if it hadn't been for King's intervention the club may very well have closed down, and he made a last-ditch effort to persuade John Maunders not to close the club. I will always be grateful for his actions then, which for me remain the defining event of the time since I started following Altrincham in 1990.
He was always one for quips, and back when the first Rocky Robin mascot arrived in the 90s (with which I had some involvement), upon the opening of the package in which it arrived, he insisted to us all that it was a chicken!
I might add that he was also the toughest opponent I ever faced when we were on opposite sides in a staff v. supporters game, some considerable time after he had retired. He may well be the toughest opponent that a lot of semi-pro (and even professional) players faced too.
Whilst I mourn the loss, I will always treasure the memories. May he rest in peace.
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A very very dark day for Altrincham FC.
There may very well have been greater legends in our long history, but I can't remember any in my lifetime.
RIP Johnny King
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It’s a very sad day for Altrincham fans and me personally and probably will be felt by the wider non league fraternity of an older age.
Our greatest, manager, inspiration, you name it has passed away. Most of us on here will be aware but for those younger fans who couldn’t be expected to know him this man was a collosus, a leader, a talisman, a Titan, you name it. And boy could he play.
To a young soft kid from a middle class village he was like something from another world or at very least from a comic book, I couldn’t even conceive that someone of his charisma existed.
Led us to our trophy wins, cup runs and two Alliance Premier League titles before managing us to our Birmingham victory and our FA Trophy win on my last visit to Wembley in 1986 (I said I’d only go back when Alty got there…)
And his impact on the town when he came back as manager. That side he put together in the 1990/91 season was simply the greatest team I ever saw, you can keep all the rest.
In essence, he’s hooked me into our club and shaped my life in that regard. Moreover he gave myself and my father times and a bond that I don’t think we could have had in another way.
None of this even gets close to the impact he had on Alty, And as said elsewhere, I haven’t even mentioned him saving them club from extinction in 1995 and his later donation of his shares providing the springboard for us to move forward.
Rest in Peace King John, this is a tough day for us Robins and has hit me harder than I imagined, a chunk of my childhood and life has changed tonight.
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Truly shocked by this very sad news.
So many wonderful tributes here. What I remember is his character and humour: the pic of him on JL's "Alty Files" was at Graham Heathcote's testimonial where I saw him "challenge" Kenny Palin to a fight!
then the interview where he accused BBC's Barry Davies of having a rabbit on his head!
Such a loss to so many people. R.I.P a true legend
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RIP
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The king is dead .
What a legend and character on and off the pitch.
So many great memories some that spring to mind have to be his incredible post match interviews, coming over to the GRE when it was kicking off asking us if we were ok and the one that lives long in the memory was a fans meeting where one inquiring fan asked the main man if there was to much swearing on and off the pitch ... To which John answers... What a stupid fxxxing question ....
Long live the King. RIP
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I recall going round to the area which is now the family stand when he had said he was leaving, someone near him asked why he was leaving. He didnt say much apart from " Its not about me, there will always be an altrincham"
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The Runcorn perspective:
https://www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/news.asp?item=07022023190234 (https://www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/news.asp?item=07022023190234)
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The Wigan Athletic perspective, including some reminiscences from Graham Barrow:
https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/legends-lead-tributes-to-wigan-athletic-hero-4018238 (https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/legends-lead-tributes-to-wigan-athletic-hero-4018238)
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In essence, he’s hooked me into our club and shaped my life in that regard. Moreover he gave myself and my father times and a bond that I don’t think we could have had in another way.
Same here, although replace 90/91 with 94/95. That team he moulded was an image of himself with the steely grit and determination of Carmody and Green with the quality of Sharrat and Terry. I could see the genuine sadness when I told my dad the news this morning.
What a man. We can say about missing people no longer with us at the club, but without John King there would be no club. You can even forgive the infamous f'ing gobsh**e comment about the fans, such was his standing. RIP
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https://youtu.be/eQCMe2S8Nio for a glimpse of the man himself.
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The Wigan Athletic perspective, including some reminiscences from Graham Barrow:
https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/legends-lead-tributes-to-wigan-athletic-hero-4018238 (https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/legends-lead-tributes-to-wigan-athletic-hero-4018238)
Altrincham's tribute:
https://altrinchamfc.com/blogs/news/tributes-pour-in-for-the-one-and-only-john-king-heres-ours
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I don’t think there will ever be anyone who has as big an impact on the club. When we redevelop the stadium, we must name one of the new stands in his honour.
Many memories have been shared in this thread, and as someone who started watching Alty in 1979, I too remember many of them. But my main memory is when we got relegated from the Conference for the first time. The fans invaded the pitch to show their support for the team, and John King was in tears. The club and the fans meant that much to him.
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The Wigan Athletic perspective, including some reminiscences from Graham Barrow:
https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/legends-lead-tributes-to-wigan-athletic-hero-4018238 (https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/legends-lead-tributes-to-wigan-athletic-hero-4018238)
Altrincham's tribute:
https://altrinchamfc.com/blogs/news/tributes-pour-in-for-the-one-and-only-john-king-heres-ours
' "He was an honest and forthright person who wore his heart on his sleeve – always giving 100% himself and motivating others to exceed their expectations on numerous occasions. What some people won’t know is that he was also the changing room joker, using humour as a motivational tool and dressing up in women’s clothes or as a pantomime horse to calm the nerves before big games. He always had time for the younger element of our crowd, being seen as a “gentle giant” after his colossus displays on the pitch.'
Never mind someone you'd want in the trenches with you, you'd positively look forward to the trenches if Kingy was there!
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An obituary has now been published on the Wigan Athletic club website.
As some of us had suspected (!), he was almost three years older than his official profile in the pen pictures of match programmes.
One error: he had been playing for Kirkby Town for at least a couple of seasons prior to his first appearance at Moss Lane on New Year's Day 1971:
https://wiganathletic.com/news/2023/february/09/obituary-johnny-king-1947-2023-/ (https://wiganathletic.com/news/2023/february/09/obituary-johnny-king-1947-2023-/)
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An obituary has now been published on the Wigan Athletic club website.
As some of us had suspected (!), he was almost three years older than his official profile in the pen pictures of match programmes.
One error: he had been playing for Kirkby Town for at least a couple of seasons prior to his first appearance at Moss Lane on New Year's Day 1971:
https://wiganathletic.com/news/2023/february/09/obituary-johnny-king-1947-2023-/ (https://wiganathletic.com/news/2023/february/09/obituary-johnny-king-1947-2023-/)
Another error is that I am pretty sure he managed Bangor City after leaving us in 1998 before Ashton United, but it's a good write-up.
South Liverpool have also published a tribute for his short but instantly successful spell in management there, featuring yet another date of birth. I already had my doubts and can only think that he knocked a couple of years off whenever he moved to a new club!
https://www.southliverpoolfc.com/news-lottery/ (https://www.southliverpoolfc.com/news-lottery/)
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(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0453/2692/5974/products/Screenshot2023-02-15at19.28.45_800x.png?v=1676489341)
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Whether or not Alty make it to the Trophy final in May it is poignant that whoever is there will be singing "God save the King"
Personally, I think that it has our name written all over it (well, twice to be accurate).