Bert Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 Has passed away. From the OS. Everyone connected with Leicester City would like to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of former player John Sjoberg, who sadly lost his battle against illness last night, aged 67.Sjoberg, who made his Foxes debut against Cardiff City in October 1960, began life at Filbert Street as a right-back and was part of the 1963 Cup run which culminated with a Wembley appearance against Manchester United. He was a stalwart of the League Cup campaigns of the next two years and scored the decisive semi-final goal at Home Park in 1965. Barring an unluckily unusual performance at West Brom in April 1966, when he became the only City player ever to score two own goals in one game, Sjoberg then settled into a memorable central defensive partnership with Graham Cross. This quality tempted Matt Gillies into giving him one spell as a centre-forward during 1967/8! An injury forced him to miss the 1969 FA Cup Final against Manchester City but two years later he was a key member of the Second Division Championship side and took his testimonial game against Derby after the title had been secured, attracting a best ever Filbert Street crowd for such an even of around 24,000. Sjoberg started a printing business, Beaumanor Press in Bath Lane, during his latter days at Leicester and was able to return to this when he finally hung up his boots, having made 413 appearances for City and scored 19 goals. He remained in that industry for around 30 years eventually selling the company about six years ago, opting for a spot of gardening and walking instead. R.I.P
Wasyls Pec Deck Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 R.I.P.One of my Dad's favourite ever players. Ditto... RIP, tragic not exactly old either. I wonder if they'll ever be a player in the future to play 400+ times for City...
davieG Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 You know you're getting old when your boyhood hero's start passing away. A rock and a gentleman will be remembered by me that's for certain. RIP
Wycombe Fox Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 Very shocked at this news. One of my early City heroes. I remember as a youngster being curious about the City player with the foreign-sounding name! RIP Mr. Sjoberg and condolences to the family.
Fosse Boy Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 RIP. Only old enough to have read about him in Of Fossils & Foxes, plus what my Grandad tells me, but still an obvious City great.
Fox You Forest Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 RIP I had a quick look around and couldn't find that much about him. Was he English?
Uncle Albert Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 Just told my Nan about the tragic news and she said "Now he was a player" and she doesnt say that very often. R.I.P
renards Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 A true legend from a time when playing was about more than big money. RIP (Bit worried by the amount of 'he was my Dads or Grandads favorite player'!) EDIT.... and Nans Must be getting old
Head Honcho Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 Very shocked at this news. One of my early City heroes. I remember as a youngster being curious about the City player with the foreign-sounding name! RIP Mr. Sjoberg and condolences to the family. Same here. I'm sure he was in the side for my first ever City game. RIP
Pegosteve Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 Just heard the news and am saddened. He was in the first team I ever watched at Filbert St and he was class a true centre back. Him and Graham Cross legends. Born in Aberdeen 1941 412 Appearances 19 goals Only really played for the City but had a short spell with Rotherham (6 games). 24000 at his testimonial says it all really. RIP John and condolences to his family. A minutes applause should be held at the next home match.
demon_dog Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 A class act, remember seeing him at Filbert Street several times, one game I recall, think we were playing Liverpool. Their striker dummied Sjoberg and then had a shot. It didn't happen again, everytime the striker got near Sjoberg big John simply nudged him aside or brought him down in a professional way so as not to give a free kick away. Seem to think the fans used to sing Johnny Cash's "Big John" to him. Sad news, condolences to his family. R I P John.
Simi Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 Seem to think the fans used to sing Johnny Cash's "Big John" to him.Sad news, condolences to his family. R I P John. Possibly a song we could adapt to a current player as sort of a respectul thing?
JakeShingler Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 Possibly a song we could adapt to a current player as sort of a respectul thing? Yes good idea
Smudge Posted 3 October 2008 Posted 3 October 2008 So sad to hear the this news. No nonsense, hard working journeyman. Between he and Graham Cross they seemed impeneterable at times; always looking out for each other. Rest in peace John.
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