Bulls News has just received the following from Club Historian Ron Parrott:- “As you may or may not have heard, I recently returned home after a five-week stay in hospital. I somehow managed to contract pneumonia and came very, very close to not being here to witness Hereford United’s centenary next season!
Apologies to all concerned if I’ve missed any obituaries during my time away. However, I’m getting stronger by the day and I’ve just picked up on the passing of John Davis a few days ago. I have quite a nice piece on John, who I remember very well indeed. He was a smashing lad and being a local boy through and through, he gave all us aspiring footballers of that era, hope and proof that a local boy could make the grade. Here goes with his pen-pic”:-
Appearances: 83 (83+0 sub.) Goals: 0
Seasons played: 1968/69 to 1970/71
Born Hereford September 1946, died Hereford 5th April 2024
John joined United from local club Credenhill in the summer of 1968 and soon became a crowd favourite. He was young, agile, athletic and fearless, making 81 appearances between 1968 and 1971. A very effective goalkeeper, he remained as an amateur despite offers to turn professional and was rewarded when he was selected to join the England amateur squad in May 1970 leaving for a tour of Iceland and France. John lived through some exciting times with United and he was part of a party that toured Mauritius and Madagascar. John was a local lad through and through and started working at Redhill Stores at the age of 13 and he became a familiar face for thousands of people who walked through the doors over the years. John worked there for an amazing 55 years and saw youngsters coming in after school then growing up to bring their own children in years later. John loved his time there and was given a very emotional send-off when he eventually retired. John’s eldest son Kevin became a pro golfer at Belmont Golf Club and his younger son Mark became a prolific goalscorer for Pegasus Juniors and later for Westfields.