Everyone connected with London Playing Fields Foundation was devastated at the passing of one of our dearest Vice Presidents John Hollins on Wednesday 14th June. Coming just three days after the sad death of former LPFF Chairman Lord Cadogan, the grief is almost too painful to bear. Ironically both men were neighbours and had known each other since the early 1960’s in the days when John was establishing himself as one of Chelsea FC’s favourite sons and Lord Cadogan was a club director.
John had a stellar career making 592 appearances for Chelsea which included winning the League Cup, The FA Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup. He went on to play 151 matches for Queens Park Rangers and a further 127 games for Arsenal. In the Queen’s Birthday Honours list of 1982 John received an MBE for services to football.
From Chelsea captain John graduated the manager’s role between 1985-1988 and for the next decade he enjoyed further managerial spells at Swansea City, Rochdale, Raith, Stockport, Crawley and Weymouth.
When John agreed to become a Vice President of LPFF in 2008 the charity was delighted as he had been an immensely popular figure in the world of football for over forty years. With a smile and infectious enthusiasm that could light up any room, John was the perfect ambassador and was unfailingly supportive of LPFF events. Humble, energetic and unfailingly kind, he was one of life’s good guys and he will be sorely missed.
