After a serious illness, Booter sadly passed away, aged 61, on the morning of April 9 at home with his wife Rachel and two daughters, Chelsea and Lucy, by his side.
Jon was a pupil at Lordswood Boys School, having been taught by one of the club’s current honorary life presidents, George Foley.
He was part of a group of Lordswood Boys pupils who joined Bournville and played many years for the club through the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Jon was a member of the original Colts team that was formed in 1978 and made his team debut against Fry’s Somerdale which was a sister company to Cadbury from Bristol in 1982.
At this time, there was a rich vein of scrum-half talent at the club and Jon was in a pecking order behind George Foley, Tony Smith and Ian Davies. However in 1988, he fully established himself in the first team.
Jon was a scrum-half who had a unique style of play which is where his affectionate nickname ‘Booter’ originated due to his predilection to kick the ball when he was tired during a game – which could be as early as the third minute.
He was also a top tourist who always partied into the night but he never missed a game on tour. From Paisley in Scotland to Wadebridge Camels in Cornwall, he would always be on tour.
Jon even stepped in as a hooker on one occasion in a scrum and took one against the head.
After his playing days, he was still a member of the touring party and in Hungary, he held is own with the local wine offerings.
During the last four years, the Bournville ‘Massive’ was born which contains a hardcore group of ex-players and their families who played with Booter. This group has travelled the country on long weekends supporting Bournville in their National League fixtures. Booter always embraced these trips and the first team players were always grateful to see him pitchside cheering them on.
Jon was a top family man who loved his family, always had a smile for his friends at the club and loved his time at Bournville Rugby Club.
R.I.P. Boot
The arrangements for Jon’s celebration day will be announced shortly.
