Two-footed winger brought up in South Yorkshire who joined Leeds as
an 17-year-old and achieved a decent goal-return throughout his fairly
limited opportunities at Elland Road. He gained greater recognition
after leaving Leeds - being picked for the FA touring side that went
to South Africa in 1939, but was just short of that extra edge that
might have made him a truly top-class player. He had spells coaching
abroad before returning home to work as a trainer with Leeds, York and
Hull after the war.
Simon Hepworth says: Johnny Mahon was my dad's godfather. I
remember him when I was a child. He still kept his Leeds and FA caps
and memorabilia, and gave me an old Leeds badge which I still have.
He lived by the motto 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall'. As
a boxing teacher in Hull he kept fit well into his old age. On one
occasion he was mugged in the street but fought off both his
attackers, who fled. Of the teams he played for, he was proudest of
his association with Leeds and was pleased that I supported the same
team generations later. He died aged around 80 a few years ago, at
which time he still lived in Hull.
Paul Flanagan says: John was my sports master at the prestigious
Hull Trinity House School. A very fair but hard man, his sporting
flair was legendary.
Sarah King says: I think Johnny Mahon was my Great Uncle, I only
met him once when I was only a baby. We lost touch with his side of
the family when my Grandmother died and my mother often thinks of them
and would love to have news of them. It would be great to hear any
news or further information about Johnny and his family.
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