Bob John

Who was Bob John?

Robert Frederick "Bob" John was a Welsh football player and coach.

Born in Barry, John played for Barry Town and Caerphilly, before joining English club Arsenal, who signed him amongst stiff competition, in January 1922 for a fee of £750. John made his Arsenal first-team debut on 28 October 1922 in a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle United, and quickly became a regular, succeeding Tom Whittaker at left half. His ability was such that soon after, made his debut for the Welsh national side, against Scotland on 17 March 1923; it was the first of fifteen caps.

John was displaced from the Arsenal side in 1923-24 thanks to competition from Billy Blyth and Andrew Young, but after being switched to left back to cover for Andy Kennedy, he was a near ever-present in 1924-25. Eventually however, John was switched back to left half, and this time he remained a first-team regular. A prodigious ball-winner and noted passer of the ball, John reached the FA Cup Final with Arsenal in 1926-27, after a mistake by his compatriot and close friend Dan Lewis; it was John who consoled Lewis after the final whistle, assuring him he would get another chance to a win a medal.