Members News: Chairman Jim’s Tribute To ‘The Saint’ (Ian St John RIP) Now Here
Ian in the Sky Blue
Further to the sad duty we had early this month (2nd March) in reporting the passing of our member, former Sky Blue Ian St John aged 82 after a long illness, we have now added a tribute to Ian on this site.
The Scottish international played 18 times in the League and twice in the F.A.Cup for the Sky Blues, scoring 3 goals, all in the 1971-72 season. He spent his season with the Sky Blues at the end of an illustrious career which began hometown side Motherwell in 1956 (after an apprenticeship in Scottish local junior football) and became a legend at his next club Liverpool from 1961-71 playing over 400 games for the Anfield side netting 118 goals and winning two league titles and the FA Cup between 1963-66. In February 1971 he joined South African outfit Hellenic before Noel Cantwell brought him to Highfield Road in August. After Noel left CCFC Ian moved on to Tranmere Rovers and also played for Cape Town City before hanging up his boots.
Ian St John & Noel Cantwell
His coaching career including a brief spell on the staff at CCFC in 1972-73, as well as managerial roles back at Motherwell in Scotland and Portsmouth south of the border. He then became famous all over again developing a successful media career fronting (with plenty of banter) with Jimmy Greaves the extremely popular ITV ‘Saint and Greavsie Show‘ covering sports, especially soccer, which ran until 1992.
The Saint in Sky Blue action
A full 800 word appreciation of the Saint’s life and professional career in football, concentrating specifically his Coventry City connections, penned by CCFPA Chairman and CCFC official Club Historian Jim Brown, has been uploaded to this site now.
To access Ians’ obituary just click on the ‘Players‘ tab above and select the ‘Gone But Not Forgotten‘ option. There you will find not just the Saint’s obit but extensive tributes to all the former Bantams and Sky Blues who have passed away since the the Association was founded in 2006.
The Association and our membership have sent our sincere condolences to Ian’s wife and family in their time of loss (and will pass on funeral details when we have them).
