AFC Bournemouth are saddened to learn of the passing of John Sainty, one of the heroes of the club’s first promotion in 1970/71.
Signed by Freddie Cox in February 1970, John netted five goals in 44 games as the Cherries made an immediate return to Division Three under John Bond having been relegated the previous season.
Born in Poplar, East London in March 1946, John served his apprenticeship with Tottenham Hotspur and signed professional in July 1963, earning England Schoolboy honours during his time at White Hart Lane.
He joined Reading in August 1967 and scored twice on his league debut in a 3-0 win against Stockport County at Elm Park.
John scored 19 goals in 71 games for the Royals before joining the Cherries for a fee of £5,000, the frontman forging an excellent working relationship with manager Bond.
Following a loan spell with Mansfield Town, John, who scored 23 goals in 134 appearances for the Cherries, moved to Aldershot in August 1974.
He reunited with Bond when he joined the coaching staff at Norwich City and followed him to Manchester City, being appointed assistant manager at Maine Road.
Following spells with Chester City and Burnley and in non-league, John became assistant manager to Danny Bergara and then Dave Jones at Stockport County.
Under Jones, John was academy director at Southampton where he talent spotted and snapped up future England star Adam Lallana from Cherries’ centre of excellence at the age of 12 in September 2000.
He also acted as chief scout towards the end of his five-year stay at St Mary’s before scouting for AFC Bournemouth and coaching Lymington & New Milton and Bemerton Heath Harlequins.
John also provided expert match analysis for the Press Association, covering games at Vitality Stadium, Salisbury City and Aldershot Town.
Everybody at AFC Bournemouth would like to pass on their condolences to John’s wife Lindsay and his family and friends.
Our main photo was taken at Vitality Stadium in 2019 and John (pictured left) was with his former Cherries teammate Terry Gulliver who died last year.
