A teenage centre-half when he followed Jack Lornie’s route to Filbert Street. John made his initial impact for City’s first team as right back, taking over from Len Chalmers just prior to the start of the 1963 Cup run, and climaxing his first season as a regular with a Wembley appearance against Manchester United.
He was a stalwart of the League Cup campaigns of the next two years (scoring the decisive semi-final goal at Home Park in 1965 and was still shuttling between number 2 and number 5 shirt, with effective case until the arrival of Peter Rodrigues, to hold on the right back position. Settling thereafter in to a central defense position.
His partnership with Graham Cross in the heart of the Leicester City defense was one memorable and John displayed a craggy consistency and imposed his areal mastery on many a first division game. The quality tempted Matt Gillies into giving him a spell as centre forward during 1967/8, but John’s back four abilities were more vital City’s strength and shape, and it was notable that the club’s 1969 relegation occurred in a season where jiggling injuries severely limited John’s appearances, and indeed kept him out of the Cup final line-up. Two years later, he was a key member of the 2nd division promotion side, and took the testimonial game against Derby after championship was secured, attracting a crowd of around 24 000.
During his latter Leicester City days he had started a printer business, and it was to this that John returned after a very brief spell of six league appearances at Milmoor. After his playing retirement John was often seen at both Filbert Street and King Power, until his sudden death in 2008.
FACTFILE:
- Full Name: John Sjoberg
- Position: Defender
- Date of Birth: 12.06.1941
- Birthplace: Aberdeen
- Nation: Scotland
- Major League Career:
- 1948-73, Leicester City (336/15)
- 1973, Rotherham United (6/0)
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