By Andy Wilson
As has been so obvious since his death was announced last weekend, John Gwynne was very fondly thought of by many CWC members – especially regulars on the county circuit with whom he shared commentary boxes in covering Lancashire for the BBC.
Gwynnie loved every bit of that county cricket circuit – from the long motorway drives, to his morning fry-up at one of the cheap B&B options recommended by the umpires, many of whom became friends. That would generally be followed by a visit to the turf accountant, to give him a few distractions for the day ahead. And how he relished relaying the news of Lancashire’s fortunes – whether on the hourly sports bulletins on BBC Radio Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside, or in live commentary of the major one-day matches in which they excelled, most often on Sunday afternoons.
Despite the odd explosion when an unfortunate studio editor didn’t give cricket the prominence John thought it deserved and demanded during the summer months – “I don’t care if the football fixtures are out, Fairbrother’s just reached his century” – it was obvious to colleagues and listeners alike that he was having the time of his life.
Perhaps it was because he had come to broadcasting relatively late, converting from his original calling as a schoolteacher – deputy housemaster and head of English at Moston Brook High School in Manchester.
Whatever the reason, I can’t remember seeing anyone happier in their work than Gwynnie at an outground – sitting in front of the media tent at Lytham, Southport or Stanley Park in Blackpool, usually in his white tennis shorts, and with his voice generally carrying to all corners of the ground, without any need for a microphone.
That voice retained a hint of John’s Shropshire roots – which he shared with Kevin Howells, a BBC colleague whose stint as Yorkshire correspondent coincided with John’s years as the BBC’s voice of Lancashire cricket, meaning that they were both technically neutral at Roses Matches. John disguised his neutrality well – the great David Green used to delight in calling him “Tear-Stained”, referring to the emotion he must once have shown following a Red Rose flop.
John was probably best-known nationally as a darts commentator, largely thanks to his work with Sky Sports – part of the “holy trinity”, as described by his former Sky colleague Stuart Pyke, with Sid Waddell and Dave Lanning.
More recently John also relished his regular appearances on Sky Soccer Saturday, responding with his usual combination of enthusiasm and eloquence when called upon by Jeff Stelling in the studio.
Stelling was one of many to pay tribute in recent days – which would have meant a lot to John.
“One of the greatest broadcasting voices has been silenced with the passing of my wonderful friend and colleague John Gwynne,” he tweeted.
“Whether at the Etihad or Spotland, he made every game special with his gravitas, humour and passion. Soccer Saturday will never be the quite the same.”
John had also covered Oldham Athletic for BBC Radio Manchester during a golden period which seems scarcely believable given their current plight (sorry Toff), when he and the aforementioned Stuart Pyke (working for Piccadilly, Manchester’s independent station) developed a friendly rivalry as they effused hyperbolically over the progress of Joe Royle’s Latics.
Versatility was one of his many strengths – he would do the same professional reporting job on the other side of Oldham at Watersheddings for a Rugby League match as he did at Boundary Park for the football, and was also a regular at Belle Vue speedway, where he had made his broadcasting debut.
And he was a skilful and sympathetic MC on the after-dinner circuit – like Soccer Saturday or Sky’s Darts coverage, it suited his ebullient persona.
Yet there was another side of John, a devoted family man, who was heartbroken to lose his wife, Margaret, several decades ago, and hugely proud of their son, Andrew, who has been the Labour MP for Denton and Reddish since 2005. He loved being a grandad to Andrew and Allison’s three children; and latterly a great grandfather to Lyle. All received early football education at the Etihad, and I’m sure John ensured they knew about cricket and Lancashire, too.
I remember cadging a lift back from Taunton one Sunday night following a heavy Lancashire defeat, and John introducing me to Your Hundred Best Tunes on Radio Two, then introduced by Richard Baker. He hummed, sung or tra-la-laaed through the majority, explaining that he’d always listened to the programme with Margaret. (There was the odd interruption as he swore loudly at a motorist who held him up, or even worse, a speed camera – John’s driving was more T20 than County Championship, and landed him in the odd scrape)
There was a lovely moment before Lancashire’s Championship game against Southport at Somerset this week when the sun-baked crowd stood for a moment’s applause. A perfect tribute to John.
He will be equally fondly remembered around many Mancunian club grounds – notable Whalley Range, where he played during his school days at Chorlton Grammar, and the Denton clubs across the city where he settled with Margaret and which Andrew now represents.
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By Colin Evans
Gwynne and I worked closely together for many years covering Lancashire, particularly in the club’s golden decade of the 1990s. As the Radio Manchester commentator, he was the Voice of Red Rose cricket, an expressive but mellow voice easily able to convey a wide range of emotions. Whether describing a Flintoff six, a Wasim toe-breaker, or a superb piece of fielding by Fairbrother, he always hit the right note.
Being a former teacher of the subject, he was a protector of the English language. Except when it came to some of his puns. When Mark Chilton notched his first century, Gwynnie, keen to display his knowledge of Parliamentary procedure, roared: “Chilli, congratulations, you’ve become one of the Chiltern Hundreds!” Chilton stared at him, totally bemused and, while we all groaned, Gwynnie was forced to explain what he was on about.
All the Lancashire players loved him. They recognised his passion for cricket and down to earth humanity. ‘Gwynnie!” they shouted as he walked past the nets, “‘Come and field for us.” They were devastated when Radio Manchester, inexplicably, dumped him. Warren Hegg had tears in his eyes.
Gwynnie had thrived in that role but, typically, he bounced back stronger than ever. The Voice continued to be heard and cherished at major sporting venues as a Sky TV commentator on darts and soccer and as a sought-after compere for dinners and other events. .
Perhaps his most valuable asset was not his voice, but his good-natured consistency. Despite his success, his constant rubbing of shoulders with sporting greats such as Alex Ferguson, he never changed. Oh, he enjoyed being in the spotlight alright but fashion trends passed him by and he lived modestly, as he always had done. Maybe a night ‘at the dogs’, or a game of darts, Or just the chance to demonstrate his natural talent as a raconteur over a pint with a few mates.
While he was a devoted Manchester City fan – and a VIP guest at the Etihad – and while he had a major role in the global development of darts, I will always associate him with an uplifting start to a day at the cricket.
“Morning Gwynnie!”
“Colin, old pal!”
It was a joy to work with him and an honour to be one of his countless friends.
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By Edward Bevan
This wonderful man shared commentary with me for many years at Lancashire–Glamorgan games, and when the fixtures were announced for the forthcoming season, I would relish the trip to either Old Trafford or Colwyn Bay.
The latter was of course Glamorgan’s home game, a four-hour journey from the south, but only an hour so from Manchester and John would be in his element among the Welsh contingent telling all and sundry that he had Welsh ancestry. After his dear wife died, John would bring his father to the North Wales ground, and after close of play on a Monday evening they would retire to the local chapel and listen to some traditional Welsh hymn singing.
He loved music, and as devoted Gilbert and Sullivan fans he persuaded me at Aigburth to join him in a verse or two from The Mikado. He loved every minute of his time covering Lancashire, and was devastated – as we all were – when he was replaced at short notice. The reasons were never explained, but many, including Lancashire’s members, staff, and the thousands of John’s avid listeners and friends, complained at his treatment.
He was also an expert behind the mic at darts tournaments, enjoying every moment and explaining everything in detail to his viewers and listeners. He was much in demand as a compere at dinners especially of a sporting nature, but I shall miss him as someone who I was privileged to know and admire greatly.
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By Peter Moore
When I heard the news that John had passed away, it took me a little while to take this sad news in.
I had known John for many years and found him always to be a happy, jovial and kind character who was loved by everybody in the sporting world.
I first met John when I was one of the cricket commentators for BBC Essex.
John was a regular commentator for BBC Lancashire and immediately I found John so easy to work with.
I will always remember his wonderful Lancashire laughter and our many days of discussion about his beloved Lancashire and Manchester City.
In the later days of his life I would bump into John from time to time covering football. He never changed in all his years of broadcasting.
He had this wonderful way with words and will be sorely missed.