John Sydenham
Encyclopedia
John Sydenham, born in Southampton
15 September 1939 is a former footballer, who played most of his career for Southampton F.C.
, he came to the notice of Saints. In August 1955 he joined CPC Sports who doubled as a Saints’ nursery side.
In due course John became part of the successful 1956-57 Southampton Youth side which did so well in the FA Youth Cup
. Saints lost out 7-5 to Manchester United on aggregate but Sydenham's lasting memory of the cup adventure was of Manchester United manager Matt Busby
going into the Old Trafford dressing room and congratulating them on their performance. The young Saints side had just won 3-2, becoming the first side to beat United in the Youth Cup, but the damage had already been done in front of a 20,000 crowd at The Dell where the Busby Babes
had won the first leg 5-2.
. At this time John first joined forces with another young winger, Terry Paine
, and before long both players were regulars in Saints’ first team, tearing Third Division defences to pieces.
He became famous for having an incredible burst of speed and would simply knock the ball past an opposing defender and then outsprint him to reach the ball first.
He first received International honours in the 1959-60 season being twice selected for the England Under-23 team including against Scotland, which match ended 4-4. A young Denis Law
netted all four goals for the Scots while Jimmy Greaves
converted a hat-trick for the English.
Like most players at this time, his progress was interrupted by National Service in July 1960.
On his return to the club, he soon regained his place on the left-wing and played an important part in helping Southampton reach the First Division in 1966. Unfortunately, by the time of Saints’ arrival in the top flight wingers were dropping out of favour, and John was often not selected for away games in preference for an extra defender. Uncomplainingly, he remained loyal to the club and on 16 August 1969, he enjoyed a spectacular afternoon at Old Trafford, when he laid on all four of Ron Davies' goals to set up a memorable 4-1 victory against Manchester United
.
To Saints fans from the 1960s, the words "Paine and Sydenham" roll off the tongue as effortlessly as "peaches and cream", and the two of them will always be remembered as the club’s finest ever pair of wingers.
John made 401 League and Cup appearances for the Saints, scoring 40 goals
(under old team-mate Jimmy Melia
), for whom he made 59 appearances before moving on to Bath City
, managed by another ex-Saint David Burnside
, for whom he played 77 games from July 1972.
He first went to Perth, Western Australia
in 1974. He stayed just for the one year, but in that time faced Chelsea
with the State side in May and won a Top-Four medal with Floreat Athena
before jetting back to England. He was lured back to Western Australia in 1980 to take on a player-coaching role at the Greek-backed club Athena, where both Alan Ball and Ted MacDougall
played for him, and succeeded in returning the side back into the State League as Second Division champions.
Today, with his wife Jean, he lives in Perth where he runs an insurance company he formed 20 years ago.
Since the demise of their academy in Australia, Sydenham is Saints' representative there, keeping a close eye on any talent coming through.
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
15 September 1939 is a former footballer, who played most of his career for Southampton F.C.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
Early career
John was educated at St. Mary’s College, Southampton and, at 13, he became their first pupil to play for the Southampton Schools XI. By playing his part in the side that reached the final of the 1954 English Schools trophy, only to lose out to LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, he came to the notice of Saints. In August 1955 he joined CPC Sports who doubled as a Saints’ nursery side.
In due course John became part of the successful 1956-57 Southampton Youth side which did so well in the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
. Saints lost out 7-5 to Manchester United on aggregate but Sydenham's lasting memory of the cup adventure was of Manchester United manager Matt Busby
Matt Busby
Sir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby, CBE, KCSG was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–1971 season...
going into the Old Trafford dressing room and congratulating them on their performance. The young Saints side had just won 3-2, becoming the first side to beat United in the Youth Cup, but the damage had already been done in front of a 20,000 crowd at The Dell where the Busby Babes
Busby Babes
The Busby Babes were a group of Manchester United players, recruited and trained by the club's chief scout Joe Armstrong and assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, who progressed from the club's youth team into the first team under the management of the eponymous Matt Busby.The Busby Babes were notable...
had won the first leg 5-2.
Southampton
He was now well on his way to a successful career in football and having been selected for England Youth five times, he joined Southampton as a professional in April 1957. John made his debut for the Southampton first team on 4 May 1957 at home to Newport CountyNewport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. At this time John first joined forces with another young winger, Terry Paine
Terry Paine
Terence Lionel Paine MBE is a former English footballer.Paine made 713 football league appearances for Southampton F.C. and 111 for Hereford United F.C...
, and before long both players were regulars in Saints’ first team, tearing Third Division defences to pieces.
He became famous for having an incredible burst of speed and would simply knock the ball past an opposing defender and then outsprint him to reach the ball first.
He first received International honours in the 1959-60 season being twice selected for the England Under-23 team including against Scotland, which match ended 4-4. A young Denis Law
Denis Law
Denis Law is a retired Scottish football player, who enjoyed a long and successful career as a striker from the 1950s to the 1970s....
netted all four goals for the Scots while Jimmy Greaves
Jimmy Greaves
James Peter 'Jimmy' Greaves is an English former football player, England's third highest international goalscorer, the highest goalscorer in the history of Tottenham Hotspur football club, the highest goalscorer in the history of English top flight football and more recently a television pundit -...
converted a hat-trick for the English.
Like most players at this time, his progress was interrupted by National Service in July 1960.
On his return to the club, he soon regained his place on the left-wing and played an important part in helping Southampton reach the First Division in 1966. Unfortunately, by the time of Saints’ arrival in the top flight wingers were dropping out of favour, and John was often not selected for away games in preference for an extra defender. Uncomplainingly, he remained loyal to the club and on 16 August 1969, he enjoyed a spectacular afternoon at Old Trafford, when he laid on all four of Ron Davies' goals to set up a memorable 4-1 victory against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
To Saints fans from the 1960s, the words "Paine and Sydenham" roll off the tongue as effortlessly as "peaches and cream", and the two of them will always be remembered as the club’s finest ever pair of wingers.
John made 401 League and Cup appearances for the Saints, scoring 40 goals
Later career
Eventually, he was slowed by age and lost much of his effectiveness and, after a testimonial match against Portsmouth, in March 1970 he moved to AldershotAldershot F.C.
Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...
(under old team-mate Jimmy Melia
Jimmy Melia
Jimmy Melia is a former English footballer who spent most of his career playing for Liverpool and went on to become a manager.-Liverpool:Jimmy joined the Reds straight from St...
), for whom he made 59 appearances before moving on to Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
, managed by another ex-Saint David Burnside
David Burnside (footballer)
David Gort Burnside was an English footballer, who played as an attacking midfielder. He played for various clubs, including West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Football League First Division, before becoming a youth trainer with England and then briefly manager at Bristol...
, for whom he played 77 games from July 1972.
He first went to Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in 1974. He stayed just for the one year, but in that time faced Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
with the State side in May and won a Top-Four medal with Floreat Athena
Floreat Athena
Floreat Athena Football Club is a football club based in Perth, Western Australia. The club competes in the Football West Premier League. The club's founders were of Greek heritage....
before jetting back to England. He was lured back to Western Australia in 1980 to take on a player-coaching role at the Greek-backed club Athena, where both Alan Ball and Ted MacDougall
Ted MacDougall
Edward John "Ted" MacDougall is a retired Scottish footballer who is currently coaching with Atlanta Silverbacks in the USA....
played for him, and succeeded in returning the side back into the State League as Second Division champions.
Today, with his wife Jean, he lives in Perth where he runs an insurance company he formed 20 years ago.
Since the demise of their academy in Australia, Sydenham is Saints' representative there, keeping a close eye on any talent coming through.