​St Johns Football Club donation to ellenor in memory of Coach

Local charity ellenor has been presented with a cheque for £250 from St Johns Football Club in memory of John McDonach who managed the team when it first formed as a schoolboy football team in 1977. John continued as coach as the team entered the adult football league, until stepping down in the early 1980’s.

The cheque was presented by John’s daughter Collette who supported the team for many years. His sons Michael and Anthony both played for the team and daughter Maureen was also a staunch supporter.

St Johns Football Club was formed in 1977 by John 'Jock' McDonach following a discussion with the then parish priest Canon Mundy. John's eldest son Michael together with a number of old St John's pupils and local friends in Riverview (all aged 16) formed the nucleus of the team which entered the Colts Division of the North Kent Sunday League.

The following year the team moved into the men's league competing in the Combination Division with Mo Tutty (Chairman of the board of ellenor trustees) joining the team. John continued to manage the team for a number of years until stepping down in the early 1980's. Family involvement continued with both McDonach sons (Michael and Anthony) playing and their sister Colette stepping in as club secretary in later years.

Mo Tutty said: “With the club disbanding in the early 1990's, a lot of the team lost contact with each other until September 2009 when a number of the old team reunited for a golf day. This golf reunion has now just met for the fifteenth occasion (with 24 playing) tinged with the sadness of losing John (our founder) last December. The family asked for donations for ellenor and many of us were happy to contribute to a cause that is very close to our hearts.”

If you would like to help raise vital funds to support families facing terminal illness in Kent and South East London or are interested in becoming a volunteer why not visit the charity’s website to find out more https://ellenor.org/