During the 38 years he’s been covering the Mariners for the BBC, he’s commentated on many highs and lows, but Nathan Arnold’s injury[1]time goal at Wembley to secure promotion back to the Football League is his favourite because he knew at that point Town had won promotion. However, one memorable moment which did elude John was Phil Jevons’ winner at Liverpool… that honour unfortunately fell to his Radio Humberside colleague David Burns!

Before his days in the commentary box, JT still used to be a regular at Blundell Park, but just as a fan. His first Town game was in 1959 when his dad took him to watch a 1-1 draw with Norwich City and he was instantly hooked. He sat on the back row of the Osmond Stand in his first visits, but as he got bigger, he began standing at the front of the Main Stand so he could be closer to the action. A few years before he started commentating, John watched one of his all-time favourite games at Blundell Park – the 2-1 win against Everton in the League Cup. For every other big event in the club’s history since, John has been in the commentary box.

For the first 27 years he was a commentator, John was also a primary school teacher at Strand, Willows and Waltham Leas. But since 2011, his sole job has been the one he’ll forever be known for – reporting on the Mariners. And long may that continue.