Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Tue Feb 15, 2022 4:41 am  

Terrible news from my perspective. I saw Johnny make his debut at the Boulevard in 1950 and then watched every home match he played until I left Hull in 1960. Mentored by Roy Francis he played in the most successful decade Hull have experienced since I started watching them in 1946. Too many highlights and achievements to talk about here but I will make mention of one. The only player to play in a winning Ashes squad and then go on to coach an Ashes winning squad. I was able to attend all those 6 games.

I first met him in the 50's and then met him again when he came here in 1970 as the GB coach. He was a true gentleman.
Johnny was certainly the greatest player I ever saw play for Hull and I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

RIP John Whiteley. Your song has ended but your melody will linger on.

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:53 am  

I started watching FC in the late 40's so was there when Johnny started his career. What a career it was, not just as a player but as a coach and an outstanding ambassador for Hull and for Rugby League. I had the great pleasure of meeting him at one of Pete Allan's book launches and its a memory that will stay with me forever. Truly a man of the people and someone who will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Johnny.

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Tue Feb 15, 2022 9:14 am  

Only met the great man once but it was a privilege to do so. RIP Johnny.

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Tue Feb 15, 2022 9:27 am  

My memory of Johnny is when I was playing in the last game at the Boulevard in the curtain raiser. The GB legends had kicked the ball dead, and I picked up the ball and raced toward the 20m to get a quick tap away. I had just tapped it and was running toward a lot of space on Threepenny stand side, and I was running past Johnny who was making his way back in to the line. He said "Go on Son", and went to slap me on the back as I went running away. Anyway, he mistimed the 'slap' and actually knocked the ball out of my hands!! I would have been 19 at the time, and when I went to watch the Hull v NZ game afterwards in the stand, my Dad said "I can't believe you knocked the ball on with all that space in front of you!" - I told him that Johnny knocked it out my hands and nobody believed me...that is of course until the commemorative video of the night came out and I showed everyone what happened!

RIP Johnny - FC Legend

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Tue Feb 15, 2022 9:58 am  

Hopefully they will commission a statue in Johnny’s memory.

The corner of Boulevard and Hessle Road would be a fitting site.

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:29 am  

Rugby Raider wrote:

Hopefully they will commission a statue in Johnny’s memory.

The corner of Boulevard and Hessle Road would be a fitting site.

I think the only way it will happen is by public subscription. Maybe Assam Aalam could pay for it, to make up for his snub of Johnny when clearing his photos out of KC and then stating, he didn’t know who Johnny was

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:59 am  

Armavinit wrote:

I think the only way it will happen is by public subscription. Maybe Assam Aalam could pay for it, to make up for his snub of Johnny when clearing his photos out of KC and then stating, he didn’t know who Johnny was

It could be done. Not sure how much a statue would cost £10,000-£20,000?

A £1 per fan would be a feasible start, plus I’m sure there would be other sources of funds available.

The recent Bob Paisley statue at Anfield was actually funded by their main club sponsor.

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Tue Feb 15, 2022 2:38 pm  

How very sad to learn that a rugby league gentleman has passed away. As a Saints fan, I always appreciated his battles with Karalius and am sad that his type of ball-handling loose-forwards seems to have disappeared from our game.
What a man! When I was secretary of St Helens Schools' RL, I asked Johnny if he would speak at our annual dinner as he was held in such high esteem in the town.
Johnny drove over, wanted no expenses nor fee and donated a gallon bottle of whisky for the raffle. Then drove all the way home!
I will be at the game on Saturday for no other reason really (well, I'll shout for Saints) than to pay my respects to a great player and a role model.
RIP Johnny. We will miss you

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Thu Feb 17, 2022 7:42 pm  

Well done Sky and in particular Phil Clarke for their Johnny Whiteley tribute. Very moving.

Re: Johnny Whiteley RIP : Thu Feb 17, 2022 9:10 pm  

Rugby Raider wrote:

It could be done. Not sure how much a statue would cost £10,000-£20,000?

A £1 per fan would be a feasible start, plus I’m sure there would be other sources of funds available.

The recent Bob Paisley statue at Anfield was actually funded by their main club sponsor.

Great idea and what a tribute that would be. However, that pricing is a bit of an under estimation when we commissioned the jack harrrison memorial outside the KCom we were back then in the the mid 2000's quoted £40,000 for a statue. The standing stone Boulevard Memorial that we commissioned at the Boulevard Academy which is only 3 ft tall cost in the end around £10,000 in total. The guy trying to raise the money for a Jack Harrison statue I think quoted £100,000.

It's the commissioning of the design and the sculptor before you even think about the cost of the materials the foundation etc. That said nothing wrong with aspiring to it and perhaps the council will help, for he needs a fitting memorial. I expect at then very least we'll see a Road re-named.