FUNERAL SERVICE
Service to take place at Hexham Abbey on Monday 16th October at 12 noon followed by private interment.
Family flowers only please, donations in lieu of flowers to 'Tynedale Hospice at Home' c/o Dodds of Hexham, NE46 2EW.
Everyone welcome to retire to Tynedale Rugby Club after the service where John's life will be remembered and celebrated.

EULOGY FOR JOHN

Tynedale Rugby club supporters will be dismayed to learn of the death on Sunday 1st October 2023 of John Blair Shotton.

All club members would want to send our condolences to his five children, Justin, James, Hannah, Henry and Felix, and all the family at this sad time.

A true force of nature, and known in the club as ‘Shottoff’ John had a greater influence on the Tynedale senior side’s achievements and promoting the club to the outside world over the last fifty years than any other person.

John had already been made an Honorary Life Member in 2001 for his services to the club, but after that he was the main driving force behind the 1st XV’s successes in gaining another promotion to League National One, the third tier of English rugby, and finishing fourth once and fifth twice in the three seasons from 2008 to 2011. That made them easily the highest placed amateur rugby union team in the country.

John made this possible, with Tom Borthwick the excellent coach, by attracting players from Cumbria, nurturing good relations with the Newcastle Falcons and keeping constantly in touch with all local players of proven quality. The key factors were his personality and his commitment. He kept in touch with and helped players in every possible way, and always showed them that they were important to him.

John was always supported by his employers Agma Ltd, and he repaid that debt after he had reached retiring age by continuing to travel throughout the North-East and Scotland, as their best and most valued salesman, for many years.

He once retired from a rugby position at the club and the CEO at that time, Keith Laidler, very very ‘tongue in cheek’ wrote that members would miss John’s “patent modesty and sensitivity.” Those who knew him well will recall that John did not do modesty or sensitivity; nor did he communicate by using Keith’s ‘tongue in cheek’ method, or irony. He was blunt, forthright and frighteningly honest, but always humorous. His closest friend for many years was Edward Robson. At Edward’s funeral in Hexham Abbey, John was asked to give the eulogy and couldn’t resist saying, that he “would trust Edward with his life; but not his wife!”.

John’s style and persistence in looking after Tynedale’s senior rugby often offended our closest League neighbours and fiercest rivals, Blaydon RFC. The main protagonists were John of Tynedale and Jim Huxley of Blaydon. Anyone familiar with “The Little World of Don Camillo”, Guareschi’s book and film about the battles between the fiery Catholic priest and the formidable Communist mayor, confronting one another on a daily basis, but privately respecting the other’s enthusiasm and ideals, will recognise the similarity here. One year, on the 5th November Blaydon Rugby club burned an effigy of John Shotton on their bonfire rather than Guy Fawkes. John was publicly incensed when he heard about it. Privately he was probably amused, and proud that he had rattled their cage.

Apart from his dedication to Tynedale RFC during the season John also worked hard to promote club loyalty and team spirit by organising, and playing in cricket matches in knock-out competitions, and arranging enjoyable club tours to Wales and Gloucestershire. It must be said that with John in charge, tours were never dull! For many years he ensured Past Player lunches were successful by writing hundreds of letters to ex-players inviting them to the event.

As a father he supported his sons when they played mini-rugby at the club and he was delighted when James proved to have inherited much of his father’s rugby talent and played with distinction for the Tynedale 1st XV in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s.

After retiring from official rugby duties John retained his contacts with current and past Tynedale players right up to the end. He had an encyclopedic knowledge about where past players had gone, what they were doing now, and he remembered all sorts of details about them, both good and bad. He didn’t usually need to consult his famous black book as he had an amazing ability to hold the names, addresses and telephone numbers in his head.

We will remember him now. We will especially remember some of his expressions. He described a South African player who had come with a glowing reputation as “just a Chinese International”; a dynamic new centre as being “a one-trick pony” and when a kicker was running up to kick at goal he would often be heard to say “he won’t kick this so long as I’ve a …........”

Yes, we will remember Shottoff; with a smile.

RIP John S

…………………..

D.F. HAMILTON

As a mark of respect for John, on Saturday 7th October the venues of two matches were kindly changed so that all 4 matches involving Tynedale teams took place at Tynedale Park. Prior to kick off all 8 teams lined up for a minute silence.