Loved watching Atkinson-Wire fan.

What a fantastic tribute to a fantastic guy ! a man i was in awe of watching him play through the 70s. God bless you John.

RIP, JOHN A GREAT RUGBY LEAGUE LEGEND, FROM A WIDNES FAN.

I had the pleasure of being in the police force in Leeds with John, we went through training together at RAF Dishforth which was the Northern Training Centre at the time, one of Life's true Gentlemen. He was stationed in Ireland Wood, quite near to his home near the old water tower, often referred to as Sleepy Valley. An unforgiving job to be both a Rugby player, combined with beat duties, often came off a night shift, at 6.00am and on a coach up to the lake district to play a 3.00 K. O. then back to Leeds by 9.00pm back into uniform and parade for duty at 9.45 until 6.00am Sunday never a complaint from him at the time.

John Atkinson is now suffering from and in the late stages of the debilitating disease Alzheimer's. It saddens me greatly to see him now and remember his athleticism, coordination and fitness then. God bless John, what a legend you are.

@alexrobinson4802

7 жыл бұрын

oh no the last of an era

RIP, a true legend

That penalty try in the 1968 "watersplash" final is still talked about today. I'm neutral on that one, but it was great seeing him playing during the Eddie Waring commentary era.

Class winger ,my hero as a young fan,RIP

@marksimpson6170

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah Paul mine too unforgettable Saturday afternoons to gladden the hearts of us youngsters...

I find it so, apt, that in the police, in the seventies, if an officer was in need of assistance, the call was 1099. Acko had a collar number of 1099, he pulled Leeds out of the sh1t so often, it seemed like karma in action. A great winger, a great person, a great friend in the police, proud to have called him my friend.

I've never seen a better Rugby League Left-Wing wearing the number 5 shirt than John Atkinson. It was an absolute joy to watch him play. Thankfully, there's tons of surviving footage of the great man in action, and loads of other players as well. I'll always love the game of Rugby League, but I have to say, for me personally, the game has gone downhill in recent years. The scrums are awful, and certain players haven't a clue as to do a proper Play-The-Ball. Jamie Peacock's are the worst I've ever seen !!!! It's just as well that we've got plenty of historical photographic footage, showing us how the game should be played. Proper scrums, and proper Play-The-Balls. Also, no forward passes !!

@dazhwood

6 жыл бұрын

Harry Hopworthy amen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@mikevolante7663

Жыл бұрын

Here, bloody here. 100 % right

did he attend Moor Grange School?