SEEK, STRIVE, FIND SEEK, STRIVE, FIND

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John Shuker [Charlie] - Winton Senior School 1954-57
(thanks: Harold Heyes)

ELLESMERE HOUSE OLD BOY DOES WELL
John Shuker, or Charlie as we called him left Winton in 1957. He signed for Oxford United in 1961, making his first team debut in August 1962. He took over as Captain from Ron Atkinson in 1971, and played his last first team game in April 1977.

John made more first team appearances for the club than any other player since Oxford entered the Football League. Although Atkinson had 560 over John's 534, 125 of Ron's came when Oxford were in the Southern League.

He appeared regularly as a left half in 1965-66 but is best remembered for his success as a striker at the end of 1968-69, when his goals played a very large part in United's miraculous escape from being relegated out of the (old) Second Division. He netted seven of Oxford's ten goals in a nine-game spell starting in March which saw the apparently doomed club win five times and lose only once.
Thanks to Harold Heyes for this profile of his friend 'Charlie'.
He says, "So it looks like kicking a case-ball about on Winton Rec. in the Games period, and the tips I gave him like always kick the ball towards the other goal, make sure your laces are tied, on your boots, really paid off after all. Hey! what are friends for eh? Ernie

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email from Harold Heyes who sent these photos with the sad news.
Sorry to have to tell you that John Shuker, who was in our form, as died on the 28/12/19, the service is thurs at Bampton where he lived.
He played professional football for most of his life for Oxford United, and helped save the club when it came into dispute.