Leigh Leopards are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Life Member John Massey at the age of 91.

John was a lifelong Leigh supporter, first watching the club at Mather Lane before the war, then for one season at Charles Street in 1946-47 before the move to Kirkhall Lane. After the opening of Leigh Sports Village he was one of a select number of Leigh supporters who could say they had watched Leigh on four home grounds.

He served as the club’s company secretary from 1989 to 2014, with some spells in between as a board member as well. His wide experience and expertise in construction was especially useful to several boards of directors as the club faced a running challenge to maintain an ageing Hilton Park to the requirements of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act.

After 25 years of being company secretary John’s services to his hometown club were recognised when he was made an honorary life member in 2014. He remained a regular at home games until recent times and his enthusiasm for the game and his joy and pride in watching Leigh remained undimmed through the passing years. He always wore a broad smile and was cheerful and amusing company, never happier than when entertaining visiting directors and club guests in the old boardroom at Hilton Park.

John was a notable rugby player in his youth, and while playing for Bedford Recs he had trials for Leigh. He scored a try in a friendly game against Warrington at the unlikely setting of Gresty Road, Crewe in July 1956. The Friday evening game, which Warrington won 24-19, was one of the main attractions of the Nantwich Carnival. John’s performance must have impressed his opponents for he was invited to train at Wilderspool and was called up for his first team debut as an unnamed trialist for the ‘Wire’ on 19 January 1957 against league leaders Barrow.

Playing stand-off, under the assumed name of Johnson, newspaper reports said he was a mystery stand-off, believed to be a prominent junior from the Leigh area. The 8,600 crowd went wild when the mystery man cut through a gap in the Barrow defence just before half-time to give his side a 10-0 lead on their way to a 22-13 victory. It was a story-book debut as he blended superbly into a Warrington side which included great players such as Brian Bevan, Laurie Gilfedder and Jim Challinor. He kept his place for the following week’s trip to Oldham, but the Wire were outplayed and went down to an 18-0 defeat at Watersheddings, and John’s brief time in the professional ranks was over.

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont said: “I first met John when we formed the consortium back in 2002 and he agreed to be company secretary. I looked up to John as an experienced statesman as a younger person not used to operating on a board. He was extremely articulate and kept very detailed handwritten minutes which he always circulated. He was ever present and often gave guidance and good direction to a novice board largely made up of passionate fans running their own businesses. I learnt a lot from John in those times.

“When I returned to the club in 2013 it was pleasing to see John’s signature smile was still ever present assisting the board. He was only too happy to assist the new group we formulated after the late Arthur Thomas had sadly passed away. It gave me a great honour to be able to recognise John’s dedication to the club over many years by extending the offering of honorary life membership, something he proudly accepted.

“I would often see him in the corridor or if I popped into the life members’ box. It was notable when he no longer was able to attend but it gives me some satisfaction that he got to see numerous people’s collective efforts across the two decades from my first meeting culminating in the fantastic achievement of lifting the Challenge Cup. He would have made his big smile even bigger. He joins our heavenly ‘Famileigh’ where he will be embraced with open arms for the fine man he was and will always be remembered as. My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with his family.”

John started work as an apprentice at J Gerrard and Sons, later AMEC, in 1946. He broke off to complete a compulsory two years of national service and always spoke well of his enjoyment of being in the forces, especially the discipline and sport. Returning to ‘civvy street’ he rose through the ranks to become a Construction Company Director and finally retired from AMEC in 1999 after a distinguished and loyal professional career.

Some of his work achievements included the successful completion of Wythenshawe Hospital, the Manchester Velodrome, and a variety of work for Kellogg’s, both national and international.

He travelled the world visiting sites such as the Taj Mahal, Niagara Falls, Sydney Opera House and he walked sections of the Great Wall of China.

John’s extensive rugby league knowledge was always something of which he was very proud. One of his party pieces was to accurately recall the names of all of the players that took the field for Leigh in their first game following the second world war, including the name of the referee and the dignitaries in attendance.

One of his proudest moments involved at the club was seeing young players come through the Academy system. He often recalled times of watching the Academy play and spoke highly of the time he accompanied Chris Hill onto the field at Hilton Park when he signed professional forms as a youngster. He was convinced that Chris could go on to become an international and was delighted and proud when Chris went on to become an outstanding player.

John loved to watch Leigh Rugby, both home and away, and often referred to himself as a ‘a real Leigh rugby nut’. He would often be seen with his daughter Christine, granddaughter Rebecca Louise and his close friend Bryan Berry. The club’s great Wembley win last year brought him great joy and happiness. Everyone at Leigh Leopards sends their heartfelt condolences to John’s family and friends at this time.

John Massey (1932-2024), an obituary by Mike Latham with thanks to Derek Beaumont and Warren Turley.