Respected football writer and lifelong Hammer John 'JD' Dillon has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 60. Here, fellow journalist and West Ham United supporter Duncan Wright pays tribute to his late colleague in the press box...
The football reporting pack can be an unforgiving environment to work in – a mix, and sometimes clash, of characters, personalities and opinions.
So it speaks volumes that all those who had the fortune to cross paths with John Dillon, who unexpectedly passed away this week aged 60, were united in their tributes to one of sports journalism’s most respected names.
Lifelong West Ham supporter Dillon – known across the industry simply as JD – was not only a fine writer, he was an even better person.
A man who relished spending his days in the press box reporting on the sport he loved, and who embraced the camaraderie of working the beat with just as much vigour and enthusiasm.
Having gone to school at Ilford County High School, JD developed that ability to cut through the noise and focus on what was important – qualities which made him stand out in and out of the press pack.
As a writer he had a rare talent to turn the mad or the mundane of sporting events into beautifully written articles, even on the tightest of deadlines. As a person he was one of the loveliest people to work with, always funny and a real supporter of anyone starting out on their career in the industry.
Desperately sad news that our friend, colleague and former FWA Committee member John Dillon has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. A fine journalist, gone too soon. RIP John.
— The Football Writers' Association (@theofficialfwa) July 2, 2024
JD often shared advice and guidance with me, helping as I took my first steps working the London patch, covering my first World Cup in Japan and then when I moved ‘inside’ working on a desk. There are countless examples of others who benefited from him in the same way.
During his spell as Chief Sports Writer for the Express, he was able to repeat the trick time and again, delivering fantastic reports across as diverse sports as football, boxing, athletics and cricket. No matter the ask, he produced.
For a couple of years, I had the fortune of editing his copy, and it was always a joy to see JD’s reports drop into the mailbox.
As the media landscape changed, so the demands differed, but John always tackled the new ways with enthusiasm – not least responding to my requests to film videos of himself out and about covering the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
There was no moaning from one of the ‘old guard’ about being asked to do these weird new things for the website (and he would have had a point!). Instead, with humour he went about his task, and the videos dropped regularly – including one of Arsène Wenger playing beach soccer on Copacabana Beach. He knew a story when he saw one – be it written or filmed.
It's been 12 bloody hours since West Ham won a European trophy.... pic.twitter.com/xUvzgIpU6j
— John Dillon (@JohnDillonSport) June 8, 2023
Though he covered some of the biggest sporting events on the planet, JD always remained a staunch and passionate West Ham supporter – leading the press box Hammers chat with brother and fellow journalist Andrew.
Only last year he wrote a brilliant article for the Daily Mail in the wake of that wonderful Europa Conference League victory, encapsulating what it means to support West Ham. Not the trophies, he argued. “No, the main purpose of supporting the Hammers is simply to support the Hammers.”
He always did have a way with words.
Though I had the fortune of knowing John for 24 years, others knew him longer and better. News of his passing came as a terrible shock to the great and good of the industry. It is fitting to finish with a tribute from revered journalist Paul McCarthy, a close friend, colleague and fellow Hammer.
“JD wasn’t an award winner, he was just a bloody brilliant bloke, a loyal friend and somebody I looked forward to seeing or speaking to whenever our paths crossed.
“The last time we spoke, he was concerned about a friend who was going through a torrid time. He asked for a telephone number of somebody I knew who might be able to help and then went the extra mile to make sure his mate was looked after and given the care he so desperately needed.
“That was JD. Generous, caring and in love with life. The news has hit so many desperately and he leaves a void in journalism and too many lives. We will all miss him.”
