John Foran - a thank you from the club

Tuesday 31st July 2012

Story in brief:

John Foran - a thank you from the club

The end of July was a sad time for Widnes Vikings Rugby League Football Club, as long-serving John Foran decided to end his full-time involvement with the club and move on to a new period of his life. However, John is quick to point out that this is in fact early retirement! He has still a great deal to offer to the Vikings and will be seen in the future working with the Valhalla Foundation on specific projects.

Many of our older spectators will remember John in his playing days in the Black and White of what was then 'The Chemics': a fast running hooker and then second-rower with a youthful expression and flowing golden locks.  John will tell you that he was "ahead of his time" in terms of the modern game and certainly he benefited from the input of the legendary Vince Karalius who was without doubt light years ahead of his time in terms of training, fitness, coaching and mental toughness. In fact John followed Vinty to Wigan to continue his playing days after leaving 'The Chemics'.

John signed for his home town club in the 1965-66 season, having learned his rugby trade with St. Marie's Boys School, Fisher More and Ditton Youth Club. (John will also claim that his true rugby league education was from the rough and tumble of the Simms Cross area of Widnes and in particular Timperley St). He then went on to represent Widnes on 293 occasions until 1977, being a member of the Challenge Cup winning team on that famous day against Warrington at Wembley in 1975. John scored 38 tries during his Widnes career, although if the RFL's official statistics partner, ‘OPTA' had been in existence in his day, John would also claim hundreds if not thousands of "assists."

Following his playing time at Widnes and Wigan, John then went on to coach locally and internationally in the amateur game before returning to professional rugby league in a coaching capacity with Salford and then Widnes, where he assisted both David Hulme and Neil Kelly. Whilst working back at the club, John's talents for working with and developing younger players was recognised and he soon attracted a band of volunteers around him, setting up an academy and scholarship before moving into a full time role working with the 'Vikings in the Community' evolving into the Valhalla Foundation. John's involvement with our club stretches over twenty years and his contribution, commitment and enthusiasm cannot be underestimated.

In this community role, John's many talents helped to guide and nurture many youngsters in the borough of Halton and beyond. John was equally at home working with three year olds in our Nursery schools as he was with seasoned professionals, and was respected equally by all. His daily input will be missed but this is not an obituary - John will still be seen on our Valhalla projects in the future and no doubt will still be claiming to have discovered each and every new Vikings star!

All at Widnes Vikings wish him luck in his part-time retirement.