John’s karate journey began in 1986, shortly after leaving the army. Encouraged by his wife, he joined Blacon Karate Club, led by Ron Fennell (1st Dan). Training diligently 4–5 times a week, he earned his 1st Dan under Sensei Andy Sherry, which opened the door to teaching and assisting in running the club.
In 1998, under the guidance of Sensei Enoeda, John achieved his 2nd Dan. During this time, he competed in numerous club competitions between 1988 and 2002, earning several 2nd and 3rd places. One standout moment was placing 2nd in the Senior Men’s Kumite at the Celyn SKC Welsh Championships after two intense extensions with no score.
Seeking further experience, John moved to Handbridge Karate Club to train under Mike O’Connor (4th Dan), where he achieved his 3rd Dan under Sensei Sherry. During this period, he was honored to be invited by Sensei Bob Poynton to train at the Red Triangle in Liverpool, a proud milestone in his karate journey.
John qualified as a Judge in 1998 under Senseis Charlie Naylor and Derek Langham and later as a Referee. In 1999, he became a KUGB-qualified Instructor after an assessment by Sensei Phil Gandy in Chesterfield. Despite health challenges limiting his ability to compete, John continued to contribute to the karate community, attending competitions nationwide as a referee.
In 2009, John founded the Dale Karate Club, which thrived for 10 years. Following its closure, he joined St John’s Karate Club in Liverpool, where he currently teaches alongside Tony Irvine (5th Dan) and Tony Collins (3rd Dan). John remains passionate about sharing his knowledge and encouraging students of all abilities to achieve their goals.
Continuing his own development, John has regularly attended Black & Brown Belt courses, Special Dan Courses, and Kata Squad Training. He earned his 4th Dan in 2010 and 5th Dan in 2016 under Senseis Sherry and Brennan. In 2024, John achieved his proudest milestone to date: 6th Dan, awarded by Senseis Billy Higgins, Frank Brennan, and Garry Harford.
A dedicated member of the KUGB for over 38 years, John credits karate with significantly improving his physical and mental health, providing a sense of purpose and pride. He is deeply grateful to Sensei Sherry, Sensei Jim Brennan, and Sensei Frank Brennan for their guidance and inspiration. John remains committed to upholding the high standards they have set and to giving back to the art that has enriched his life both inside and outside the dojo.
