Premier League stars coming to Hinckley
PREMIER League footballers will be gracing Leicester Road when they join the Hinckley side for a memorial match next month.
A game against Stoke City, Leicester Road FC’s last preseason friendly fixture on Tuesday August 1, will be in honour of John Perkins, who has been described as a “local football managerial legend”.
With his ability to build highly efficient and successful teams based on players from their communities he put Leicestershire semi-professional football on the national map.
John, known to most simply as “JP” was way ahead of his time in terms of football philosophy and standards and soon attracted the best Leicestershire players outside the professional game to his beloved Leicester United.
All players soon fitted into his highly drilled and efficient squad as it established itself as a top Southern League Premier outfit ready for the final push into the then Football Conference.
JP also masterminded several player moves from Leicester United into the professional game such as David Putnam to Leicester City (1988), Cohen Griffiths to Cardiff City (1989) plus Tony Loughlan and current LRFC manager Neil Lyne
Hinckley Times Sport: Call 01455 891965 or email hinckleytimes@ trinitymirror.com £1 to Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest in 1989.
He was senior academy coach at top-flight club Stoke when he died last October aged 69 after a short illness.
Neil Lyne said: “John was one of football’s good guys, a straight-talking focussed individual who looked out for every one of his players. His professionalism was second to none, and attention to detail in planning and preparation for games and training was invaluable to us as players.
“I first played for JP in 1987 aged just 17 at Leicester United. He was a massive help to me on and off the pitch and this continued when we both made the move to Nottingham Forest in 1989 and throughout my playing career.
“We stayed close friends, sharing the same passion for free flowing controlled football, with John becoming one of my mentors as I moved into coaching.
“He was a frequent visitor to Leicester Road Stadium since the formation of LRFC in 2013 and was a true friend of the club – always willing to lend a friendly helping hand and pass on his wisdom and experience to our players and staff.”
It was inevitable that John’s talents were des- tined for the professional game, but it took the persuasion of the legendary manager Brian Clough to convince him to leave his project at Leicester United for Nottingham Forest - working first with the U21’s and then the U18 youth team, where he was to stay for 10 years before moving onto similar roles for 10 seasons at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Shorter stints followed at Derby County and Portsmouth before settling in at Stoke City in 2011 and becoming a firm favourite before his life tragically ended last year.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes added: “I was aware of John’s reputation as a youth development coach long before I joined Stoke City and really enjoyed working with him.
“It was clear to see that the players he worked with held him in the highest regard and enjoyed his training sessions. John’s untimely passing left a real void at the club – he’s sadly missed.
The former Manchester United and Barcelona star added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the memorial game against Leicester Road FC and hope it proves to be an enormous success.”
Many members from Leicester United Football Club 1985-1989 squads are expected to be there along with players, coaches and managers past and present that John has worked with throughout his 28 year career within the professional game) and will be making the trip to Leicester Road Stadium on August 1 from all over the country.
Kick off for this “high profile and very meaningful” game is at 7.30pm.
There is special prematch hospitality with a two-course meal, match ticket and commemorative programme at just £20 per person and the meal will be at Rossini Italian Restaurant in Hinckley from 5.30pm prompt.
Pre-booking is essential through LRFC’s Commercial team on 07966 387243 as spaces are limited, otherwise tickets are available on the gate for £6 adults, £5 concessions and children under 16 are free accompanied by an adult.