John Francis Madden R.I.P.
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John Francis Madden
24th September 1951 - 21st March 2010
A requiem mass takes place for him at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Litherland L21 0EQ on Friday 26th March at 12.15pm
"I want to go on Bluekipper." My brother John said. Misunderstanding his request, I started to pass him the laptop as he lay on his sickbed. It was in fact a request from a dying man for me to write his obituary when he was dead and gone. It probably needs no explanation here, but the greatest love in my brother's life after family and friends, was Everton FC.
John Madden was born in September 1951, to my parents John and Catherine, who had moved out to Litherland when they married the year before. He was to be the eldest of six siblings, four sons and two daughters. Like his father before him, and his father before him, his football allegiance to Everton started at a very early age.
1951 was not a great year for the Toffees. We had been relegated for only the second time in our history. Thankfully the ignominy of being in the second tier was not to effect John's early years too much. By 1954 the Blues were back up, changing places with you know who, and despite the 1950's and early 1960's not being the greatest period in our history, John grew up assured in the knowledge that there really only was one team bothering about in our part of the world; a belief he took with him to his grave.
John's first game was home to Luton, 1958. He was taken to the game by his aunt, Rose Molloy, and her best friend Monnie Donnelly. Rose lived on Carisbrooke Road, Walton, no more than a 10 minute walk from Goodison, and, despite that generation of Molloy's being of a red persuasion in football terms, there was always a cup of tea and lively banter, before and after the match, right up to the time they moved to Vauxhall in the late 90's. That day he was even treated to a seat in the stands from where he saw Everton run out 3-1 winners. Another early game from that period John recalled in much later life was a 4-0 victory against Man Utd in 1960 (perhaps the first game he went to with his father, also John).
His last year in junior school saw him see most home games in the 1962/63 season, a season that was to bring the league back to Goodison for the first time in over 20 years. He witnessed the first top flight derby for 11 years, a 2-2 draw at Goodison. Another memorable game was the one against Spurs late in the season when Alex Young scored a fantastic header into the Gladwys St. It was a game that all but clinched the title. By this time John had been taking his younger brother Brian to Goodison for a couple of years. Imagine that now! 2 junior school age lads going the match alone.
By the time John had started at St Mary's in Crosby, Everton's momentum, which was to carry them to such glory throughout the 60's, was starting to gather even more pace. John's school at the time insisted on attendance at lessons on a Saturday morning, to make up for time lost on the rugby pitch on Wednesday afternoons. This meant a quick dart to Litherland, for a change of clothing and a breakfast, then a 52 bus to Spellow Lane.
The next piece of silverware was of course the cup in '66. The semi final at Burnden Park saw the Toffees dispatch Man Utd, and John attended the game with his younger brother Brian, and friends Billy Goodwin and Tony Seddon.
Unable to get a ticket for the final, John watched at home and family legend recalls how he nearly put his head through the living room ceiling when Trebilcock got the equaliser.
As we all know, another cup success eluded Everton in 1968. But despite the disappointment of Wembley, the semi at Old Trafford against Leeds, was a highlight, and remnants of the penalty spot from where Johnny Morrisey dispatched the winner, were dug up and stored in a match box for posterity.
John's late teens saw Everton enter a golden period of arguably the best football seen in the club's history. He never missed a home game and rarely an away game between 68-70. He would travel accompanied by his younger brother Brian, and friend Billy Goodwin. Travelling mostly on Lawrenson's Coaches they became friendly with Peter Mattacks, Les Reid and Alec McGowan. His favourite player was Colin Harvey.
John would list highlights of the 69/70 championship as the 2-0 mauling (should have been 10 he said) of Man Utd at Old Trafford. Less than a week later, we hammered them 3-0 (all 3 goals coming in the first half). The overnight travel on the Ribble down to London for the game against Arsenal on the opening day was also one John used to like to reminisce about.
The 70's were an anti climax of course, but John's fervour for Everton never, ever wained, despite studying in Leeds and then spending time in Jersey. His first visit to Wembley (he watched the 68 final on a TV monitor outside the stadium) was against Villa in the League Cup in '77. It was in the 70's that he started teaching and this gave him the chance to coach in school's football.
By the 1980's once again, along with the rest of us, he savoured some of the best football in the club's history, as the odd job man at Goodison remembered where he'd left the Brasso back in 1970. His favourite player from around this time was Graeme Sharp. Matches he particularly enjoyed were the 5-0 mauling of Man Utd and the semi against Southampton at Highbury, which he attended with his dad.
Never a gambler in his life, John had to get someone to help him to fill in his betting slips, as after each round from before the 3rd round onwards, he backed the Toffees for FA Cup success in 1995. He was a grand better off and we were a trophy better off by May.
John spent his teaching career in St Wilfrid's, Litherland, De La Salle, Jersey, and Salesian/Savio, Bootle. He retired from teaching just a couple of years ago, but his retirement was cruelly cut short by the cancer of the kidney he was diagnosed with in January 2009. He leaves behind his lovely wife Christine and son Richard (another Evertonian). He will be sorely missed by all his family and friends. A requiem mass takes place for him at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Litherland on Friday 26th March at 12.15pm. Good night and God bless John, a great man and a great Evertonian.
Neil Madden (with the help of brothers Brian and Gerard).
Tributes
Name: dave Jones
Location: st helens
Date: 9 May 2010
I lived next door to John in ford lane, a moving tribute for a great man, and true blue. Everyone is better for having known John.
Name: Joe
Location: Madrid
Date: 9 April 2010
I've never met John, but this year in Madrid I've had the pleasure of getting to know his brother Neil very well, 2 true blues sitting amongst thousands of Spanish reds. Neil speaks so highly of John, a great Evertonian, a great man, a great brother. A better tribute, there is not.
Name: Steve Connor
Location: Hertford
Date: 9 April 2010
Great teacher and a great bloke...loved listening to his stories as a schoolkid on a monday morning in the eighties about his trips away with the blues. When I became a teacher myself and went back to Savio for a bit of 'practice' John took me under his wing in the staff room, as it was the monday atfer the 'Cadamarteri derby' and we spent the whole time mocking the miserable red teachers. Great memories. RIP John.
Name: Gary
Location: Litherland
Date: 9 April 2010
Some great memories John from Salesian, The Ospreys and Everton, in particular Derby Countys Pride Park!Yes I am still doing that job!
It was great to know you as my teacher, friend and fellow Evertonian.....
Gaz
Name: Steve McCourt
Location: Parbold
Date: 9 April 2010
Great memories, a great tribute, Thinking of you all
Stevie Mac
Name: Alex
Location: Liverpool
Date: 9 April 2010
A great tribute to a great blue. RIP, John.
Name: Dave Ando
Location: Bootle
Date: 8 April 2010
Met this man a few times, a great fella RIP
Name: Steve
Location: Liverpool
Date: 8 April 2010
A great man and a great teacher, lasting memory of "sir" running around the pitch imitating an aeroplane, after we stayed up against Wimbledon. R.I.P John.
Name: seddo
Location: liverpool
Date: 8 April 2010
top class teacher, fella, and most of all evertonian, rip sir
Name: Gary Morgan
Location: Bootle
Date: 8 April 2010
I took French as one of my GCSE subjects as Mr Madden would talk to me about Everton. I had no interest in French.
It turned out he wasn't to be my teacher the following term and I ended up with a mad French woman and a subsequent 'D' grade.
A nicer bloke you couldn't wish to meet who I used to see often at the match and still say 'Hello Sir', to.
Rest in Peace Sir.
Up the toffs.
Name: Aidan
Location: Blackpool
Date: 7 April 2010
RIP You will be forever in our hearts.
Name: Gully
Location: Liverpool
Date: 7 April 2010
Great Teacher and Person.My thoughts are with the family.
Name: Tony White
Location: Crosby
Date: 7 April 2010
Great Evertonian; Great Teacher; Great Bloke.
Name: Andy Smith
Location: Liverpool
Date: 7 April 2010
RIP Sir !
Name: Colin Evans
Location: Gloucester.
Date: 7 April 2010
Didn't know John, but the loss of one blueboy is one too many. R.I.P.
Name: Kevin Cliffe
Location: Waterloo
Date: 7 April 2010
Didn't know John personally but yet another good blue gone to meet the greats in a royal blue heaven......fantastic tribute, very poingnant and brought tears to my eyes.......RIP John
Name: Paul McGuinness
Location: Liverpool
Date: 7 April 2010
Great tribute to a great Evertonian.
Name: Eamonn McNamara
Location: Preston
Date: 7 April 2010
My condolences to John's family, he sounds like he was a real Blueboy and your obituary has done him proud.
Name: les
Location: liverpool
Date: 7 April 2010
Didn't know John but I know I'd have liked him. R.I.P another good blue gone.
Name: padda brewster
Location: wolverhampton
Date: 7 April 2010
it been said good mate god bless
from the wolverhampton blues x
Name: Francis Carragher
Location: Liverpool
Date: 5 April 2010
Mr. Madden helped three friends and I pass our GCSE Spanish exams while listening to Charles and Eddie's 'Duophonic' which I'm not sure helped or hindered. Rest in Peace Mr. Madden from all other Bootle Blues-
Franny
Name: ste reardon
Location: bootle
Date: 30 September 2010
Was taught Spanish by john in the 80s at Salesian, Bootle. Fantastic conversations about his great love Everton. Mr Madden shall be remembered as a great teacher who earned respect of all, so deserves every tribute R.I.P
Name: Alf and Marie Bennett
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Date: 3 May 2010
It was just yesterday we found out about John's passing and we are devastated. He was a fine man, a good Socialist and a fellow Hispanophile. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Christine and Richard.
Name: Karl & Marie Hansen
Location: Southport
Date: 28 March 2010
Great words .......a tribute to a life lived as a true Evertonian,
RIP John
Name: Paul, Kenny and Billy
Location: Crosby
Date: 27 April 2010
John and his family have been our mates, all our lives.
John was gentleman, a family man and Evertonian from the only Spanish speaking family in Ford Lane.
Buenos noches John
Name: Steve O'Neill
Location: Liverpool
Date: 26 March 2010
A great tribute Neil, Ged & Brian.
Thinking of you all.
Ste O'.
Name: John & James Scotland
Location: Liverpool
Date: 26 March 2010
A Great tribute to a Great Man
R .I. P. John
Name: Sean McCann
Location: Aigburth,Liverpool
Date: 26 April 2010
Well written, and very moving. A true Evertonian, who will be sorely missed by family + friends.
RIP John.
Name: Jonathan Jones
Location: Formerly Bootle now Hampshire
Date: 23 November 2012
I knew Mr Madden from the Salesian in the 70's. He never taught me but he always stopped and had a chat. He was an absolute gentleman. Wished I'd known then that he was an Evertonian! God Bless you Mr Madden. Rest in Peace.
Name: dave musker
Location: anfield
Date: 23 May 2010
It was a pleasure, and an honour to meet John. I only wish I had had many more opportunities. A true gentleman. Thinking of you John.
Name: John Potter
Location: Crosby
Date: 23 June 2010
How many pupils today would describe a former teacher as a friend? It speaks volumes.Wonderful tributes from all true football fans ,red and blue. Deepest sympathy to all the family
Name: Dave Jacques
Location: Liverpool
Date: 23 April 2010
John - good luck god bless.
Gerard - Slainte!
Name: Kevin Flynn
Location: New York
Date: 21 May 2010
Went to school with John. Very sorry to hear the news.Being a Man Utd fan had many discussions with Bart in them days.Condolences go out to all his family and friends. R.I.P.
Name: Frank Molloy
Location: Liverpool
Date: 2 April 2010
Brilliant! Neil,Gerard and Brian. When the time comes can you put me on Redkipper?
Name: Tony Lamb
Location: Burscough
Date: 19 April 2010
What a wonderful testimony to their brother from Gerard, Neil and Brian, and how deserving of it was John who was a credit to himself, his family and the teaching profession. I wonder if EFC ever consider how blessed they are to be supported by those such as John Madden and his wonderful family? Love to them all.
Name: john
Location: bootle
Date: 18 June 2010
Very sad. Only found out by chance. Great teacher,great fella. He taught me Spanish in the mid eighties(his ginger stubble days),and at fifteen i could say dos cervezas like a real spaniard. I never did get to say ola! senior antonio morales in real life,shame. It proves what guy he was, since the last time i seen him was in the sefton pub, aintree 1987 and i still remember it 23yrs on. RIP Mr Madden.
Name: Eddie Noonan
Location: Liverpool
Date: 17 April 2010
A magnificent tribute from a wonderful family to one of their own. Love and condolences to the Madden family. R.I.P. John - Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
Name: Paul Morris
Location: Lytham
Date: 15 April 2010
John was my teacher in the late seventies, he kept us inspired with tales of past glories and the promise of more to come. There was never any homework to keep you from a mid-week match, unless you were a non-blue.
A great man and a credit to his parents and family
Name: Paul Winstanley & family
Location: crosby
Date: 15 April 2010
A great man,a great evertonian from great family,never fogotten.
Name: John O'Halloran
Location: London
Date: 14 April 2010
Having been a mate of Neil's since I was 7, I have known John for a long time and despite being a blue he was great fella. He was gregarious, funny, knowledgeable about many things, including bus routes in all the major cities of Britain, and loved a pint and a glass of wine. I think I'll most miss the arguments about who the ref was or the weather conditions in a particularly obscure match from the mid-seventies. I sorry that he never saw Everton win another title in his lifetime but the way things are going for us I think I might be in the same boat.
Name: Jim Hart
Location: Savio
Date: 12 April 2010
John, my great mate, i'll never forget the great times we spent together and i'll always remember you. R.I.P mate, till we share a pint together again. C.O.Y.B. - Jimmy (Santa's little helper).
Name: clarkey tony
Location: liverpool
Date: 11 April 2010
great blue but even better person
Name: Sean Taylor
Location: Liverpool
Date: 11 April 2010
RIP sir truly a gentleman great evertonian and the best teacher on the land bar none sorry sir if the headteachers are reading this but we used to have the best ever sit offs with you lol you are truly going to be missed sir RIP
Name: john burgess
Location: bootle
Date: 11 April 2010
Mr Madden a great teacher in salesian . I was fortunate to have sir as my spanish teacher in the years between 1984 to 1986 and many a lesson was spent discussing how good sharpy sheeds tricky and reidy were the previous saturday . Aswell as great taste in football he also had great taste in music an introduced me to the music of steely dan to which i am still truely grateful ! rip mr madden .
Name: Don McIntyre
Location: Liverpool
Date: 10 May 2010
Shamefully, I have only just read this tribute despite the fact that Gerard brought it to my attention a good while ago . The really moving thing is the number of fond contributions from John's former pupils. The Madden family should be proud of the legacy left by this fine gentleman and truest of Blues.
Name: TIM SHORT
Location: BOOTLE
Date: 10 April 2010
A nice feller, sound teacher, and a true blue.
Name: Tony
Location: Halligan
Date: 10 April 2010
Good night God Bless, Mr Madden...My one and only Spanish teacher. Circa 1982
Name: fiona and dominic
Location: Liverpool
Date: 1 April 2010
A great tribute to a great man. Thinking of you all at this very sad time x
