TRIBUTES have come pouring in for a former Bolton teacher who ‘helped so many’, including England footballer Alan Ball.

John “JD” Dickinson is remembered by many as the “wonderful” head of boys PE at Farnworth Grammar School.

Mr Dickinson died on Saturday, January 7, at the age of 84 after falling ill.

Family, friends and former pupils have been paying tribute to the Farnworth Grammar teacher and Bolton Wanderers fan whose students included Whites player Alan Ball and former club owner Eddie Davies.

His daughter Judith Peak said: “We have had an overwhelming response from former pupils and the staff as well, it’s been really lovely.

“It is becoming clear he influenced a lot of people’s lives, even inspired others to go on and teach.

“He had a great sense of humour, very generous, he wanted to make everyone else happy, He loved his garden and loved being outside. Everybody remembers him for having an old Volvo estate, a ‘W’ reg that he would drive around.

“”He just got respect of everybody, he was always caring about other people. If everyone else was happy, my dad was happy.”

Mr Dickinson was born in Leicester Avenue Horwich and met his wife Jean, from Westhoughton, when they were students at Rivington and Blackrod School and they married in 1956.

They made a family home in Lostock Lane, raising their two children, Judith and Steven.

Together they also went into the teaching profession working at Farnworth, with Jean as head of girls PE while her husband became head of boys PE and taught maths.

During his time at the school, which came to an end when it closed in 1988 and he went on to teach at Little Lever High School, Mr Dickinson also organised a number of away trips for the students.

Paying tribute to him on the Farnworth Grammar School Friends Facebook page Steve Norfield wrote “he is the inspiration for me being a teacher for the last 34 years”, while Clive James Tattersall described the news of his death as “so very, very sad”.

He added: “ I thought the world of him, a wonderful man and an inspiration”.

Another former Farnworth pupil Jane Harrison said: “He would take us anywhere from skiing in Italy, to camping in Wales to skating in Altrincham. He was just an all round brilliant man!

“It is so nice to think so many people have fond memories of him.”

Mr Dickinson was even mentioned in Alan Ball’s biography where the England player recalled how the teacher recognised the young stars determination and skills, putting him forward for team trials.

He went on the describe him as a possible “frustrated footballer”.

Daughter Judith added: “He was always going on walks, used to do a lot of athletics,always had a Wanderers season ticket. Eddie Davies used to invite him to directors box a few times a year, they still kept in contact.

“He did the things he wanted until the end.”

His funeral will take place on Monday, January 23, from 12.45pm at Christ Church in Heaton followed by a gathering at Mercure Hotel Georgian House in Blackrod.

Friends, former pupils and colleagues are invited to attend. To find out more or send condolences contact

judithpeak@aol.com.