We've still got a few copies of Mel Henderson’s new book Mr John, John Cobbold: The Most Eccentric Man in Football Ever signed by Blues legend Allan Hunter left after the Christmas rush. The former Northern Ireland international wrote the book's foreword. Signed copies of John Wark and Fabian Wilnis's autobiographies are also still available.
John Cobbold, universally known as Mr John, was Town’s chairman between 1957 and 1976 and remained on the board until his death in 1983. Now, thanks to tape recordings made by Mel Henderson, the club’s former public relations officer, just before Cobbold’s death, Mr John's own story in his own words appears in print for the very first time.
Simultaneously poignant and hilarious, this remarkable tale of a bygone age is supplemented by tributes and anecdotes from those who knew him best, including giants of the game like Sir Bobby Robson.
As well as glorious victories over Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal in the FA Cup final, Mr John presided over some of the most remarkable goings-on at any football club. Amongst the many tales included in Mr John are the stories of Ted Phillips's ginger wig, David Johnson's 'balls', Alf Ramsey's solo lap of honour and how an impromptu donkey derby around the grounds of Mr John's home Capel Hall led to mayhem at the Ipswich Town pre-season party.
You can buy your signed copy of Mr John for £12 at TWTD’s new shop, which can be found here or at the Shop link on the main menu at the top of the page. Read Roger Hermiston's review of Mr John here.
TWTD readers can also now buy copies of John Wark’s autobiography Wark On signed by the great man himself. Wark On, also written with Mel Henderson, is reviewed here by Tim Sansom.
Purchase your copy at the TWTD Shop, where you can also find Fabian Wilnis’s autobiography Full English, signed by the Dutch defender, which is reviewed by Tim Sansom here.