{{Short description|English footballer (1905–1979)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Use British English|date=June 2016}} {{Multiple issues| {{more citations needed|date=August 2011}} {{fan POV|date=December 2023}}}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Jack Weddle |image = |alt = |caption = |full_name = John Robson Weddle |birth_date = {{birth date|1905|11|05|df=y}} |birth_place = |death_date = {{death year and age|1979|1905}} |death_place = |height = |position = Centre forward |years1 = 1938–? |clubs1 = Blackburn Rovers |caps1 = |goals1 = |years2 = |clubs2 = Portsmouth |caps2 = 396 |goals2 = 184 |totalcaps = |totalgoals = |manageryears1 = 1950s-1960s |managerclubs1 = Blackburn Rovers }} '''John Robson Weddle''' (5 November 1905 – 1979) was an English footballer who played for Portsmouth as a centre forward during the interwar and post war period. He is best remembered for Portsmouth's Cup run in the 1933–34 season, scoring a hat-trick against Birmingham in front of a 66,000-strong crowd to take Portsmouth to the Final.<ref name="portsmouth.co.uk">{{Cite web |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/famousplayers/John-Weddle--hit-from.1396935.jp |title=John Weddle - hit from the pit - Portsmouth Today |access-date=18 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822204314/http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/famousplayers/John-Weddle--hit-from.1396935.jp |archive-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Career== He signed with Blackburn Rovers in 1938 where they lost the War Cup against West Ham with a 1–0 defeat.<ref>http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/ThroughTheYears/0,,10303~78792,00.html {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716192710/http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/ThroughTheYears/0%2C%2C10303~78792%2C00.html |date=16 July 2011 }} (3)http://www.pfcusa.net/fact.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414204725/http://www.pfcusa.net/fact.htm |date=14 April 2009 }}</ref>
He later became the coach at Blackburn Rovers, where he remained for many years. He was the coach during the legendary FA cup final in 1960, when Dave Whelan broke his left shin, it was rumoured that Jack Weddle helped Whelan to receive his compensation money, which he then went on to build up his JJB empire with. Jack Weddle is remembered with fond memories, such as his legendary words to Whelan before that 1960 match, when Whelan was so nervous he inquired as to where his shin pads were, to which Jack Weddle replied, "You've got 'em on, you daft bugger".{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
He remains to this day one of Portsmouth's most capped played with a total of 396 appearances and 184 goals.<ref name="portsmouth.co.uk"/> He was 'Steamboat Weddle' by Portsmouth fans due to his attacking skills, and when there was a lull in play chants were heard to "Give it to Weddle".{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
== Personal life == Weddle fathered a son, David John Weddle, and later in life had 3 grandchildren: Jane Weddle, Michael Weddle and Peter Weddle. He played Cricket for Whitburn every summer.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Weddle, Jack}} Category:1905 births Category:1979 deaths Category:Footballers from Whitburn, Tyne and Wear Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Portsmouth F.C. players Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players Category:20th-century English sportsmen