Martin O’Neill has paid tribute to a former Wycombe Wanderers player and manager who has died.
John Reardon, who managed the club for one season (1977/78), and was part of O’Neill’s backroom team during his successful spell at the club between 1990 and 1995, died at the age of 87 at the start of the month.
He passed away in Wargrave near his Henley home, after suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and dementia for several years.
Reardon, who died three weeks before his 88th birthday, is the only person to play for the club, manage the club, and work as the club’s secretary.
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Speaking to the club’s website, O’Neill said: “I recall a training session when he went into a tackle with Glyn Creaser and inevitably ended up in a crumpled heap.
“I expected the worst.
“But he got up, dusted himself down, and got on with it.
"Not a complaint which summed him up.
“We had some hilarious times as Reardo’s organisational sense wasn’t the best.
Martin O'Neill (photo by By Anita Ross Marshall)
"We got lost on several trips thanks to his odd sense of direction.
“But he would do anything for anyone and the players loved him.”
Reardon, who played as a striker for the Chairboys, also worked under Alan Gane, Peter Suddaby, and Jim Kelman when they took the managerial hot seat at Wycombe Wanderers and in 2001, he was honoured for his 60 years of service at the club.
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He also played for Chesham United during the 1960s, before he became the club’s reserve and first-team manager.
He guided Chesham to the FA Amateur Cup Final in 1968, where they narrowly lost 1-0 Leytonstone at Wembley.
O’Neill continued: “I didn’t know a lot about the Isthmian League when I took over.
“John was able to steer me in the right direction.
"He was a complete contrast to me.
John Reardon, right, with club president Ivor Beeks (photo courtesy of Wycombe Wanderers)
"But he never tried to undermine me nor any of the managers who followed.
"No job was too menial for Reardo.
“He was a great enthusiast in everything he did.
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"And wife Carole was so supportive.
"A great team.”
He leaves behind his wife Carole, daughters Nicola and Sarah, six grandchildren and brothers Dennis and Terry, himself a Wycombe player in the 70s.
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