Description
John Cobbold, of the famous Tolly Cobbold brewing dynasty, was quite simply the most
eccentric man in football – ever. Educated at Eton, he was a grandson of the 9th Duke of
Devonshire, nephew of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and, when he followed his late
father on to the board of Ipswich Town in 1948 at the age of 21, he became the
country’s youngest-ever football club director. He was chairman between 1957 and 1976, and
remained on the board until his death in 1983.
Now, thanks to tape recordings made just before he passed away, John Cobbold’s own
story in his own words appears in print for the very first time. Simultaneously poignant and
hilarious, this remarkable tale of a bygone age is supplemented by tributes and anecdotes from
those who knew him best, including giants of the game like Sir Bobby Robson, who was
eternally grateful to Mr John, as he was affectionately known, for his unwavering support
while he was still a rookie manager.
As well as glorious victories over Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal in the FA Cup
final, Mr John presided over some of the most remarkable goings-on at any football club.
Amongst the many tales included in Mr John are the stories of Ted Phillips’s ginger wig, David
Johnson’s ‘balls’, Alf Ramsey’s solo lap of honour and how an impromptu donkey derby
around the grounds of Mr John’s home Capel Hall led to mayhem at the Ipswich Town preseason
party. Mr John. Football will never see his like again.
