dunsbyowl Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 (edited) The Legend that is John Fatham is 75 today. I never saw him play but my Dad still talks of him and the fantastic talent that the Burngreave School product was and he still holds Wednesday's post war scoring record 167 goals in 435 game between 1958 and 1969. John played junior football for Sheffield Schools and Yorkshire Schools, and Sheffield YMCA. He signed amateur forms with Sheffield Wednesday FC in 1954, turning professional in October 1956. His first game 1st February 1958 vs Tottenham in a 2-0 win. Here he is in the 1957/8 line up He was a member of the Division 2 Championship winning team in 1958/9. He won his only England cap vs Luxembourg in September 1961 at Highbury - can anyone spot him on here? He also represented the Football League 3 times and gained one Under 23 International cap. In 1960-61 he was part of the fantastic Wednesday team that finished runners up to Spurs and scored a goal in the match when Wednesday became the first team to beat them - 2-1 on 12th November when 56,363 packed into a 3 sided Hillsborough In 1966 he was part of the fabulous Wednesday team that finished runners up to Everton in that never to be forgotten FA Cup final. Here is is in the iconic white Wednesday kit His final game was on 20th September 1969 against West Ham after which he made the switch to Rotherham United. This tribute appeared in a programme shortly afterwards. After retiring from Football he became a successful local businessman including the owner of a couple of well know Gents hairdressers - here Johnny Quinn gets the treatment Edited February 6, 2014 by dunsbyowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Distraught! Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Pistmoor. Should that be p1ssed more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunsbyowl Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 Pistmoor. Should that be p1ssed more? Bugger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxtongent Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Many happy returns, Johnnie. In my late teens and early twenties you gave me some of the best moments of my Wednesday-supporting career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the monk Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I dont think the poor fellas in good health these days, i did here he was in a nursing home ,hope i am wrong. I do know at one time he held the course record at beaucheif golf club does anyone know if he still does? Happy birthday John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunsbyowl Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 Many happy returns, Johnnie. In my late teens and early twenties you gave me some of the best moments of my Wednesday-supporting career. So big question to one who saw them both - Fantham or Hirst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeroswfc Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Happy 75th Birthday John Fantham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevdi9 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 hirsty just shades it for me Dunsby ,but would have either one today no doubts on that mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prendo's boots Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Happy Birthday and all the best to a true Owls legend!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KivoOwl Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Yes, I hear he's been in very poor health for quite a while. Such a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredmciverslovechild Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 So big question to one who saw them both - Fantham or Hirst They were entirely different sorts of players. Although Fantham scored shed loads of goals he was in old money an inside forward who supported the number 9. And we had a fair few decent number 9's back in those days.....Roy Shiner (who I didn't see), and then Keith Ellis, Bronco and John Ritchie (who I did). The two of them together might have been interesting.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Snooty Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 If you look very closely at the cross bar on goal at the Kop end at Hillsbrough it is still shaking from a vicious shot he hit against it late in '68 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaminowl Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I don't think I would trust a barber with bandages all over his hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambs Owl Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Many happy returns, Johnnie. In my late teens and early twenties you gave me some of the best moments of my Wednesday-supporting career. Me too. Happy birthday John a true legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FloridaOwl Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I notice the lack of wild celebration after a goal in the old videos. A few simple handshakes and get on with it. The way it should be in my humble opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lincs Owl Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Fantham scored in the first Owls game I ever saw. A 5-0 win against Rotherham in 1958. A real legend and a local lad to boot. Shame that supply line seems to have dried up. Happy birthday Johnny. Should have won more than that one England cap. Usual anti-Sheffield bias. My best memory of him was from the Shoreham Kop in 1964-5(no segregation in those days). We were 2-1 down at the Lane and getting battered. Lucky to be still in it. Second half I just remember two attacks from us. Fantham sprinting away to the Shoreham and scoring twice. We won 3-2. Mugged 'em. Half the Kop went mad. Took my sister to her one and only match. She was so frightened by the crushing and the atmosphere etc that she wouldn't go again. Women just don't get it do they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfmanjack Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 One of my favourite Wednesday players of all time. Absolute quality in everything he did, and if he was playing today he'd be worth multi millions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WatfordOwl Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Great pics Dunsbyowl I take my hat off to each and every one of the posters that have supported the club for the length of time you guys have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darra Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Happy Birthday John went to your house once with a mate for your autograph and you were an absolute gentleman A true pro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunsbyowl Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 Happy Birthday John went to your house once with a mate for your autograph and you were an absolute gentleman A true pro. I read a story somewhere where 2 lads went to his house and his mum opened the door and John was having his tea ( they could see him) and his mum said no but John said it's was OK and came and signed the autographs - wasn't you was it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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