How tragedy stopped 'the best centre in England outside the Premiership' and the special tribute in his honour
While professional sport invokes drama, excitement, trials and tribulations for players, coaches, officials and fans alike, thankfully it rarely brings tragedy.
But sadly, in the case of much-missed former Canadian international centre John Cannon, it is difficult to find a more appropriate word.
The hard-hitting midfielder was a hugely popular figure both among the Canadian rugby community and at Rotherham, Coventry and Doncaster, where during the first decade of the 21st century he was widely considered as the best midfielder in England outside the Premiership.
But shortly before the 2007 World Cup, his promising career came to an abrupt halt at the age of 26 based on medical advice following a series of bad head injuries.
And nine years later, Cannon suffered a sudden, totally unexpected fatal heart attack. He was just 35.
Cannon won 31 Canadian caps in a career which included a starting appearance against New Zealand at the 2003 World Cup.
Just over a decade on, his successors in the red shirt visit Marseilles during November seeking to prevent Germany, Kenya or Hong Kong from claiming the final spot at Japan 2019.
En route to the south of France, the Canucks are warming up against Cannon’s former club Coventry at the Butts Park Arena on bonfire night, and with his father Peter in attendance, it promises to be an emotional occasion.
Continue reading below…
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The powerful midfielder wore Cov’s historic blue-and-white hoops with great distinction between 2003 and 2005, during which time he became great friends with teammate Ben Gulliver.
Then a young second row, now, via Plymouth, Cornish Pirates, Worcester and Bedford, he is an integral part of Coventry’s thriving community programme, Gulliver has many fond memories of the man he refers to simply as JC, who he said made an instant impression both on and off the field.
“JC was a very abrasive, tough No.12 who ran hard and hit hard, but also distributed well,” he said.
“He was one of Canada’s youngest-ever players, and very highly respected within their team. If it wasn’t for the rules around numbers of non-English qualified players, I’m sure he would have been picked up by a Premiership club – Gloucester certainly had a good look at him.
“He was a real fans’ favourite at Coventry during the season-and-a-half he was here, and also at Doncaster where he went afterwards. It was a huge shame that he had to retire so young.
“In those days, the Cov bus back from away games was pretty boozy, and John and I got to know each other returning from an away trip to Yorkshire.
“We became very close, training together in the day then going out in the evenings in Leamington which was where the Canadians lived while they were here.
“At the end of that season JC was really keen that I went to Canada, and another one of our teammates, Jared Barker was getting married in Hawaii. I had John as my tour operator, finding the cheapest way for me to go around North America, it was three-and-a-half weeks of amazing times.
“Everyone will remember John off the field as a real party guy, but also someone who could go into any circle and be comfortable.”
After being named in the 2004 and 2005 National One (as the Championship was then known) dream teams, Cannon moved back to Yorkshire with Doncaster, and in 2006 Rugby World Magazine described him as “perhaps the best centre in England outside the Premiership.”
PLS RT | Cov V @RugbyCanada is just 6 days away! Advance tickets are the best option ➡️ https://t.co/pLZiCLBX9E #CovVCan #Underthelights #InternationalRugby pic.twitter.com/wul2Kn9m6H
— Coventry Rugby (@CoventryRugby) October 30, 2018
After the medics called time on his playing days, Cannon returned to North America, and was working in his native Abbotsford for an IT company in a business development role when a tragedy that was felt across the Atlantic struck.
“Jared messaged me saying ‘this is not a joke, JC has passed away,’ Gulliver recalled, “and I couldn’t believe it.
“I drove an hour from Welwyn Garden City to Bedford, beside myself in floods of tears, asking why and how and what had happened.
“It turned out he’d had a massive heart attack out of nowhere. It is all still very raw for his family, girlfriend Christina and friends – I know every time I come into the club at Coventry and see his name on the honours board I am reminded of him.
“I went to the funeral, and took messages on behalf of the English clubs he played for. This match is a special occasion when I’m sure for a lot of people some fond memories will come flooding back.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments