A GREAT MAN REMEMBERED
John Clark
1945 to 1986
On the 12th August 1986, Scottish Cycling lost one of its greatest sons, John Clark, affectionately
known as ‘Clanky’ was gone forever and the shockwaves still ripple throughout the cycling world, as
that loss, for all who knew him (and there are many) was a very hard pill to swallow.
John’s nickname ‘Clanky’ goes back to when he was 11 years old and suffered from polio. The
nickname came from the noise his surgical boots made as he walked around on his pathetically weak
legs. At that time, no-one would have believed, those legs would become among the most powerful
in the country and carry the big man all over the world representing his country in many races.
John was born in Whitecrook, Clydebank in 1945, and was educated at Elgin Street Primary School,
and Clydebank High School.
At the age of 14, his attentions turned to cycling, and he joined the Lomond Roads Cycling Club
where he won many friends who still speak fondly of him today.
In 1968, he was invited to join the VC Stella where his career was to develop to great heights.
He won the Scottish Pursuit Championship four times from 1969 to 1971 and 1973, where he set the
new Scottish record time of 5:16:2.
He represented his country at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and was regularly
featured in the Scottish squad for many international races, both on the track and on the road. His
prowess on the track did not shadow his ability in all aspects of cycle sport. He was a well respected
road man and prolific time trialist.
He was again selected for the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1974, where
he narrowly missed the bronze medal in the pursuit.
When the Stella folded, Clanky and his close friend Ian Thomson, went to the Ivy Cycling Club where
he was to gain many honours, both for his club and his country. That year saw him win the Willaston
Handicap at the Isle of Man Cycling Week, but an untimely crash in the Crianlarich road race in June
of that year, left him in plaster for 14 weeks and put paid to his late season plans. At that time,
rather than take a rest from cycling, Clanky put his effort into the development of the clubs younger
riders, and his constant encouragement brought young David Whitehall to the fore.
1975 was undoubtedly John’s finest year.
As well as becoming the National 50 mile time trial champion, he won the 4000 pursuit for the fifth
time and to put the icing on the cake, be became the Scottish time trial best all rounder with an
average speed of 23.506 mph.
This was to gain him more recognition than anything he had ever done. He commented to Ian
Thomson that it was amazing the number of people who shook his hand in congratulation of that
achievement.
Commonwealth Games year again in 1978, and once again Clanky was in the squad, which took him
to Edmonton in Canada.
When one considers that all this was achieved with no financial assistance from any sponsor, or any
employer it makes these feats all the easier to appreciate.
In 1973, Allan Watson of SOGAT, wrote in the unions magazine, “At no inconsiderable expense, John
has pulled on the Scotland jersey four times this year, to race in the Tour of Ireland, the Isle of Man
International, the Milk Marketing Board Road Race, and Grant’s Road Race. Each of these races
involves a week’s absence from work, and as yet, no employer has been moved, in a mood of
patriotic magnanimity, to sponsor him”.
John’s love of cycling stemmed far beyond competition. When he retired from serious competition
in the early 80’s he became a tireless and enthusiastic source of support for many of today’s top
riders. He regularly assisted the national team, both in training sessions and at international
competitions acting as Manager, Mechanic, Masseur and Mother. He was an SCU Commissaire and
BCCS coach, he was Secretary of the IVY Cycling Club from the late 70’s until his untimely death in
1986. The list goes on and on.
In 1985, John celebrated his 40th birthday and quickly set off his £3.50 to Pinky Williams to become a
member of the Veteran’s Time Trial Association. His enthusiasm for the sport was rejuvenated and
he competed in the remainder of the Vet’s events for that year. Along with his protégé, Kenny Clark,
he recorded the fastest times in both the Glasgow Couriers and the East Kilbride Gentleman’s
events. He continued to compete against his contemporaries in 1986, settling old scores from the
Schoolboys events of the early sixties. He looked forward to a great future as a veteran, but
unfortunately this was not to be. On Sunday, August 10th 1986, while returning home from a club
run. John was involved in an accident, from which he sustained severe head injuries. He was taken
to Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital, but he was never to regain consciousness. On Tuesday
August 12th, doctors decided to switch off the life support system and surgeons removed his vital
organs to give life to others.
To John, cycling was more than a sport of a hobby. When he applied for a job in the prison service in
the early 80’s, the application form asked for the applicants religion. John filled in ‘CYCLIST’. When
questioned about this at the interview, John asked the interviewer, “What do you do on a Sunday ?”.
the bemused man replied, “I go to church with my wife and kids!” John replied, “I go out on my
bike!”. He never got the job.
Cycling was a religion to Clanky, and there is no doubt that the cycling world is a much poorer place
without him. Without the likes of Clanky, our beloved sport would never be what it is today, and it is
fitting tribute to the big man that an event of this calibre should carry his name.