If you attend any athletic event around the world, you’ll likely see a father in the bleachers proudly watching his son or daughter compete. But a 101-year-old father cheering for his 75-year-old son on the soccer field? Now that’s a story that tugs at the heartstrings.
John ‘Junior’ Shannon is a dynamic athlete. He plays soccer multiple times per week against guys decades younger than him. And in 2017, he suited up for England International — a veteran team whose average age is 67 — as they took on Wales in international competition.
Along for the ride was his father, John Sr., who packed sandwiches to snack on from his seat in the stands.
“I support him when I can,” he told BBC. “I support him certainly in international matches because he plays for England.”
As for his assessment of his son playing at 75?
John Sr. munching on a sandwich. Photo: Dave Pinegar/The Sun
“He’s slim and fit and he takes his place in that team at the moment perfectly well,” the elder Shannon said. “He doesn’t look like a slow man on the field. In fact, he’s one of the quicker (men). I would urge all those people having second thoughts about giving up, don’t give up. Keep playing.”
John Jr. plays full-back and midfield and, as one of the oldest players on the team, he certainly knows his role on the pitch.
“You’re never going to be the star of the side and are always going to be a foot soldier supporting the midfield general,” he told Cambridge News. “But that’s okay, that’s all I ever was anyway! I was very good at running.”
John Jr. played soccer until he was 15 and then turned his attention to cross country and middle distance running on the track.
“In his early days, it was always cross-country running,” John Sr. told The Sun. “My wife and I spent many hours in the freezing cold waiting for him to appear and then just run by.”
So, as you can imagine, John Sr. loved that his son picked up soccer again when he was in his mid-30s. And John Jr. thinks the 20-year break assisted in his longevity in the sport.
“Maybe it’s important that I missed that hectic time between 15 and maybe 35 when people get injured,” John Jr. said. “That’s possibly one of the reasons I’ve carried on a lot longer. I see no reason to stop at the moment, barring major injury.”
Photo: Dave Pinegar/The Sun
John Jr. contracted polio shortly after World War II, and he spent weeks in an iron lung, which is a device that helps people maintain respiration until they can breathe independently. So, it’s amazing to see that he’s putting his lungs to the test on a weekly basis.
It turns out that he takes after his father when it comes to aging well. John Sr. was playing tennis at 75, and could still touch his toes and run at 92.
So, what’s it like to have your biggest fan be your 101-year-old father? Does he get loud during matches?
“I couldn’t hear it anyway,” John Jr. joked.
Regardless of what’s heard, there’s no doubt about what’s felt between this father-son team: Immense love, support and admiration.
