Sadly Ian "Johno" Johnson passed away yesterday. Many of you will know of "Johno" he was a Founder Member and played in the first game back in 1953 as well as being a regular supporter on Saturdays.
He was regular volunteer on Friday mornings at the club until his health saw him having to give this up. I understand Ian was visiting family in Bourne, Lincolnshire when he was taken ill...
Russell Stead Chair.
His arrangements will be announced in due course.
Malton & Norton's 1st game a one off arranged game at Bridlington on the 4th April 1953. Malton losing 18-0.
Snippets from Johno’s letter taken from Jos Sturdy’s The first 50 years which was compiled 20 years ago now.
I well remember going to the first meeting with cricketing friends, Ellis Postill and Trevor Smith. A heated debate on whether the club should be called Malton or Malton & Norton. A little chap had come from Otley (I think) to give his words of wisdom. The pearl of which was “that Saturday’s were made for rugby and rugby only”. He would be more than pleased with me as I’ve stuck religiously to this through thick and thin.
Our first game at Bridlington is a little more hazy. I can recall some nasty Brid type giving me a whack for what reason I know not. I often wondered why we had a team photo taken after the game in the rain with our best white shirts dirty and tattered and yours truly still losing blood.
In August 1954 the Royal Air Force thought it would improve its image if I had 2 years with them – I don’t think it did. I did hone my rugger skills at RAF Dumfries & RAF WAHN (Germany), I played twice weekly for the station and on Sundays for Koln (which they paid my train fare and I was paid in ale) Professional or what.
In 1963 I moved down to Lincolnshire as a super-salesman and missionary, but the pull of M&N was too great and I came scuttling back every Friday via Scunthorpe and Goole. Rob Barty asked me to do this as Thompson and Wilson pining so much!
Most of my recollections are unprintable as they would put “Footballers wives” to shame. They were very happy days.
Words from Ian Johnson in 2003
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