8 replies to this topic

[exrlref]

Heard this morning that Johnny Noon has had a massive stroke. If this can be confirmed by someone it would be very helpful. If it is true can we wish that he can make progress in his recovery and we wish him well.

[RunItOffAfi]

Heard this morning that Johnny Noon has had a massive stroke. If this can be confirmed by someone it would be very helpful. If it is true can we wish that he can make progress in his recovery and we wish him well.

Also heard this last week. Apparently Noonie, who's 76, can't talk but can recognise people and is prgressing slowly. I'm sure I speak for Oldham fans past and present in wishing him all the best and hoping he makes a full recovery.

[roughyedspud]

unfortunately i've just been told mr noon died this morning

[Robthegardener.]

I never met the fella,but my thoughts are with him and his family.

[diehard 1]

R.I.P MR NOON.

Edited by diehard 1, 18 December 2010 - 08:32 PM.

[RunItOffAfi]

RIP Johnny Noon. I'm sure all our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.

[roughyedspud]

had many a drunken argument with mr noon in the plough and more recently the coach about RL....all good natured of course....gutted i won't be able to do it anymore

[swissroughyed]

I was so sorry to read the sad news about Johnny Noon. Many years ago we lived in the same street and had the same local pub. Johnny was a very good centre in an era of outstanding players. His partnership with Alan Davies was feared throughout the league. He had real pace, was a prolific try scorer and tenacious tackler. He also served Oldham well as captain and was a reliable goalkicker as well. A genuinely good bloke!

My sincere condolences go to his family.
Swissroughyed

[ArthurDaley]

Very sad to hear Johnny Noon has died, i can remember him as coach of Hornets in the early sixties. Before John was coach Hornets were the soft touch of RL. Johns robust and enthusiastic approach saw Hornets rise up the table and a steady stream of Hornets players go for an early bath and a trip to Chapletown Road. Over the years Hornets have had a steady stream of coaches. I will allways remember John.
RIP and condolences to his family.

• /news-features/8/news-headlines/49753/street-star-to-switch-on-lights

Ex-Oldham star Noon dies
Date published: 20 December 2010

RUGBY:

JOHN Noon, the former Oldham Rugby League Club centre and Rochdale Hornets player-coach, died in the Royal Oldham Hospital on Saturday, aged 75.

He had been in hospital for nearly two weeks after suffering a stroke at his home in Waterhead.

An Oldhamer born and bred, he signed for his hometown club from local amateur side Lowermoor in 1953, aged 18, and went on to give the Watersheddings club a decade of service during a period of success that was unparalleled in Oldham's post-war history.

In 255 appearances between 1954 and 1964, he kicked 137 goals and scored 125 tries. Only three players — Alan Davies, Sid Rix and Mike Elliott — have scored more tries for Oldham than that.

In 1955-56 he played more games than anyone else (36 out of a possible 40) and he had the distinction, in 1958, of playing left centre to John Etty in the Oldham side that beat St Helens 12-2 in the final of the Lancashire Cup.

There was competition for centre spots from Davies and the talented Dennis Ayres and Vinny Nestor.

But Noon played in every back position for the club except scrum-half.

He is, however, best remembered as a centre — forceful on attack and uncompromising in defence.

He topped the 20-try mark in three consecutive seasons, 1959-60, 1960-61 and 1961-62, and in 1962-63, by which time the great Bernard Ganley's reign as king of goalkickers had come to an end, he was leading marksman.

Later appointed captain of Oldham, he was unfortunate to narrowly miss out on selection for Great Britain's tour of Australia in 1962, having kicked five goals as a combined Oldham-Hornets side beat the touring New Zealanders 10-8 at Watersheddings on September 4, 1961.

His final game for Oldham was in the Law Cup match of 1964, after which he became captain and player-coach of Rochdale Hornets where he enjoyed considerable success.

When he finally retired from the professional game he became coach at Saddleworth Rangers, whom he led to a Standard Cup final triumph in 1971.