Green mourn England legend John

By David Ballheimer

FOLKLORE: John Swannell

HENDON are mourning the death of legendary goalkeeper John Swannell, who died on Wednesday following a heart attack.

Swannell, who would have turned 85 this week, was arguably the finest amateur goalkeeper in England’s history, having gained 61 amateur caps.

He made 594 appearances for Hendon, featuring in three FA Amateur Cup finals, winning twice, and two Isthmian League title-winning sides.

In 1972-73, he conceded only 18 goals in 42 matches as the Greens triumphed, and was part of the Barassi Cup (the unofficial European Amateur Cup Winners Cup) winning side, playing in the famous 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in January 1974.

Swannell ranks second in England Amateur caps – four behind his Greens team-mate Rod Haider., and also earned England and Great Britain University honours when an engineering student at Manchester University. While there, he turned down the opportunity of turning professional with Crystal Palace.

Instead, returning south in 1960, Swannell played for his first club, Corinthian-Casuals, until 1963, when he joined Hendon.

Swannell only finished playing for the Corinthian-Casuals veterans’ side in 2004, at the age of 65.

Hendon will be marking Swannell’s memory before the game against Tiverton Town on February 3.