John arrived at Chelsea as a junior in April 1962. A Centre Forward who topped the Combination goalscorers list in 1962-63. John couldn't establish a first team place and was transferred to Luton Town in December 1963.
He had a very successful career playing for Chelsea FC, Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough F.C, Coventry City, Luton Town F.C, Queens Park Rangers and A.F.C. Bournemouth.
Such was his scoring success and popularity on Teesside that fans would sing "Give us a goal, John O'Rourke" to the tune of The Troggs song "Give it to Me". An £18,500 signing from Luton Town, he scored two on his debut at Colchester and went on to score 27 in 39 games as Boro clinched promotion from Division Three at the first attempt. This included a hat-trick in the crucial last match of the season, a 4–1 victory over Oxford United. The following season, 1967–68, he scored two further hat-tricks before moving to Ipswich Town in February 1968 for £30,000.
When his playing days were over, O'Rourke became a newsagent on the south coast.
He had a very successful career playing for Chelsea FC, Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough F.C, Coventry City, Luton Town F.C, Queens Park Rangers and A.F.C. Bournemouth.
Such was his scoring success and popularity on Teesside that fans would sing "Give us a goal, John O'Rourke" to the tune of The Troggs song "Give it to Me". An £18,500 signing from Luton Town, he scored two on his debut at Colchester and went on to score 27 in 39 games as Boro clinched promotion from Division Three at the first attempt. This included a hat-trick in the crucial last match of the season, a 4–1 victory over Oxford United. The following season, 1967–68, he scored two further hat-tricks before moving to Ipswich Town in February 1968 for £30,000.
When his playing days were over, O'Rourke became a newsagent on the south coast.
John arrived at Chelsea as a junior in April 1962. A Centre Forward who topped the Combination goalscorers list in 1962-63. John couldn't establish a first team place and was transferred to Luton Town in December 1963.
He had a very successful career playing for Chelsea FC, Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough F.C, Coventry City, Luton Town F.C, Queens Park Rangers and A.F.C. Bournemouth.
Such was his scoring success and popularity on Teesside that fans would sing "Give us a goal, John O'Rourke" to the tune of The Troggs song "Give it to Me". An £18,500 signing from Luton Town, he scored two on his debut at Colchester and went on to score 27 in 39 games as Boro clinched promotion from Division Three at the first attempt. This included a hat-trick in the crucial last match of the season, a 4–1 victory over Oxford United. The following season, 1967–68, he scored two further hat-tricks before moving to Ipswich Town in February 1968 for £30,000.
When his playing days were over, O'Rourke became a newsagent on the south coast.
He had a very successful career playing for Chelsea FC, Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough F.C, Coventry City, Luton Town F.C, Queens Park Rangers and A.F.C. Bournemouth.
Such was his scoring success and popularity on Teesside that fans would sing "Give us a goal, John O'Rourke" to the tune of The Troggs song "Give it to Me". An £18,500 signing from Luton Town, he scored two on his debut at Colchester and went on to score 27 in 39 games as Boro clinched promotion from Division Three at the first attempt. This included a hat-trick in the crucial last match of the season, a 4–1 victory over Oxford United. The following season, 1967–68, he scored two further hat-tricks before moving to Ipswich Town in February 1968 for £30,000.
When his playing days were over, O'Rourke became a newsagent on the south coast.
Gravesite Details
No known memorial
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