An elegant midfield footballer, keen and vocal supporter of the Penrith club for more than 50 years and an outgoing man who loved to chat, throwing in humorous and pithy one-liners as he did so.
Such was John Airey — affectionately known as Doc, for what reason nobody now remembers — of Croft Avenue, Penrith, who has died at the age of 88.
One of two children of the late James and Elizabeth Airey, he was born and brought up in Penrith. He had a brother, Keith.
He was educated at the former Robinson’s School, in Middlegate, Penrith, before progressing to the town’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. However, he left school before sitting his final exams to take up an apprenticeship as a printer with local firm Reeds, then based in Rowcliffe Lane.
It was at this time he met Robin Miller — at that time a young reporter with the old Penrith Observer newspaper but later to become a leading figure in the publishing industry — and the two formed a friendship which lasted for 65 years.
It was in 1967 that Doc and a colleague, Alan Stephenson, started their own printing business, initially based in two rooms in Castlegate, Penrith. Eighteen months later they moved to larger premises in the town’s Little Dockray.
Unfortunately, Alan died at the age of 47, but Doc continued to run the business for another eight years, latterly from premises on King Street.
In 1966 he married Valerie Bell, from Lazonby, and the couple went on to have a son, also called John, the following year.
Doc was always a keen sportsman, with running initially being his major field of endeavour. During the late to mid 1950s he was a stylish and often successful competitor in quarter and half-mile races at professional meets.
He was trained by Harold Crosby and one of his most memorable victories came at Selkirk.
However, football became Doc’s major sporting passion and he played regularly for the successful Penrith team of the late 1950s and 1960s, turning out as left half. A very thoughtful player, he had a distinctive style which some described as balletic.
Fellow team members included Terry Mulryan, Derek Snaith, Bryan Bousfield and Albert Clapperton. The manager for much of the period was Alan Ashman, who went on to achieve great success at the helm of Carlisle United.
It was under Ashman’s guidance that Penrith enjoyed one of their best seasons, in 1961-62, during which they won three trophies and had a good run in the FA Amateur Cup before losing away by one goal in a replay against fashionable London side Leytonstone. This Penrith side also won the Cumberland Cup for six seasons in a row from 1961.
After his playing days were over, Doc became a keen supporter of the Penrith team and was invariably to be seen — and heard — at their matches. He was never happier than when watching the team in action at their Frenchfield ground. He was appointed club president in 2009 and retained this position for the rest of his life.
Doc loved to chat with all those he met at matches, in town and over his garden gate.
Penrith chairman Billy Williams said: “Throughout my playing days, managerial spells and as chairman I have been so fortunate to have had absolutely invaluable and priceless support when both John and his precious wife Valerie have shown the deep role Penrith Football Club played in both their lives. Doc was club president for years, a position he treasured.
“I want to say a heartfelt and deep thank you personally as a friend but more so on behalf of the club he loved.”
Doc was also a keen cricketer and played for Penrith’s first XI each year after the end of the football season. As a batsman he was second only to Harold Millican in staying at the crease, and was also a skilful fielder. In 1962 the Penrith team of which Doc was a member, under the captaincy of Harold Millican, won the prized Meageen Cup.
Doc’s other sporting interests included golf, which he enjoyed playing when he could. He also watched many major tournaments, including the British Open and Ryder Cup.
He enjoyed meeting a large number of famous players during these trips and, when in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Ryder Cup, also encountered Muhammed Ali.
Snooker was an interest of Doc and his family. They often played on a table at home and made the annual “pilgrimage” to watch the world championship at the Crucible, Sheffield, for around 40 years. He liked to sit on the front row, although he sometimes nodded off.
Doc is survived by his wife Valerie, Penrith; son John, Manchester; and brother Keith, Cambridgeshire. About 200 people attended Doc’s funeral service, held on Friday at Christ Church, Penrith. Richardsons Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of the arrangements.
