Versatile John scores with high-class book

John Cleary . . . an inspirational teacher

Life of a teacher, cricketer, and trader

TO say that Royton’s John Cleary is a man of many parts is a bit like saying that the Australians are a bit fond of winning —something of an understatement.

John, inspirational school teacher, amateur cricketer, market trader, textile business owner, charity event organiser and founder of the choral speaking committee is nothing if not versatile.

On top of that he is a proud dad and a loving family man and has now added a further skill to his professional bow by becoming an author.

His book, “A Class Innings” is an autobiography that combines fond memories of a rich and fulfilling life with a warm heart; cricketing and classroom anecdotes with perceptive thoughts on education, school discipline and how to bring the best out of literally scores of young people.

At the heart of his book is John’s lifelong love of cricket in general and the Royton club in particular. And among the delightful goodies in his book are anecdotes about some of the legendary greats of cricket who played in the Central Lancashire League — the ferocious Roy Gilchrist and Cec Pepper and the sublime talents of Gary Sobers and Sonny Ramadhin — along with his own contributions to first team and second eleven matches.

John’s career as a school teacher began at St John’s School, Rochdale, where he developed his teaching techniques and a loathing for red ink on mistakes in schoolbooks.

He also taught at St Joseph’s, Rochdale, North Chadderton Secondary Modern, where he first tried taking pupils out of school on trips to help to develop their creative writing, and also taught not only GCE O-level but also A-level students, too.

He moved to Werneth Junior School and then to Limehurst as deputy headmaster, but alongside all these teaching jobs Mr Cleary the teacher had another identity, Johnny Slipper on Congleton market where he occupied a stall every Saturday for many years.

John retired from teaching at Easter 1990, leaving behind a rich legacy of children who had acquired an appreciation of language and both the written and spoken word through the Festivals of Poetry he had chaired at the Oldham Coliseum.

Creative writing by children he has taught at his various schools are featured prominently in the book as Mr Cleary, aka Johnny Slipper, looks back on a splendid life.

l “A Class Innings” is available from the Oldham Chronicle, Limehurst School, Central lancashire Cricket League grounds, newsagents and at www.madeleinelindey.com, priced £9.95.