John Carlin

THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK · Dec 11, 2018

Today was the funeral of John Carlin. Big JC as he was also known, beat a very bad illness in hospital where he was for months, and was getting back to health only to be taken whilst on the sofa watching the tele with his hand on the remote. Way to go John. Back in the Seventies when I first met and became friends with John, he was an extremely tough kid. It was uncanny because when the film Scum came out later, we all thought the main character was based on him, as he was just like that when he was about 16, and the main character was called Carlin. Tough as he was, he was also gentle, kind and a good bloke, with a great big smile. He was from Eastwood, but hung around Leigh and Southend a lot. I would always bump into him now and again, usually in Southend. I'm really going to miss John and our little chats.

AndyT · Dec 11, 2018

Nice tribute, Seventies.

Billy Bests boot laces · Dec 11, 2018

TSNB, first met him in 71, he was quite plump then, before honing down in later years.

tottenham541 · Dec 11, 2018

Yeah big shame this, remember the good old days playing against him, a real handful to play against, certainly used to let you no he was playing on the same pitch.

rigsby · Dec 11, 2018

Yes I knew (not mates) JC through football Played against Oakwood on a Sunday. They were always a handful. Also he played in the Southend Wednesday league. John was always ok on the pitch compared to some of his team mates.

I do remember him turning up at the Silver Jubilee with about 12 mates to settle some score over a younger brother and his 18 year old mates. Several people made a very sharp exit and for a second I was about to become a victim of mistaken identity. Luckily one of the young lads was with them and remembered I helped break it up and had actually done them a favour. I ended up with a nod of approval rather than a good kicking.

Anyway sad news that another great local character has gone.

Massimo Giovanni · Dec 11, 2018

John had a lovely 3 ltr Capri, mk1, a lad about town in the late 70s but a good 'un in a laddish way.

liamaxina · Jan 2, 2019

Massimo Giovanni said:
John had a lovely 3 ltr Capri, mk1, a lad about town in the late 70s but a good 'un in a laddish way.

I went to watch SUFC play Colchester away in that Capri. It was blue. That man could make me laugh and cry at the same time. I loved him then and I love him still. My heart has a big John-shaped hole in it.