Individual results

Interviewee: John McGowan
Interviewer: Helen Whitcombe

Track 1
Born 21 Feb 1956, always lived in Coventry. One older sister. Grew up in Holbrooks. Went to Park Gate and President Kennedy Schools. Used to go on holiday together in England, Scotland. Father a Scotsman, uncle owned a whisky distillery. First day at school, at Park Gate, didn't want to go in. Liked President Kennedy, had to wear a uniform. Got on with teachers, liked maths, art, football. Wanted to be an artist, got a job at Courtaulds but didn't want to work there.

Track 2
Got an apprenticeship at Jaguar as an electrician, worked there for twenty-two years. Started 1972, as an apprentice. May 15 1995 had a brain haemorrhage, and they sacked him. Travelled the world working for Jaguar, a good company to work for, until Ford took over. Worked shifts, looked after the whole factory, fixing the electrics. Enjoyed playing football in spare time. Played for his school, first at Park Gate as captain, and then at President Kennedy, won the cup. Coventry City youth team, played at Highfield Road against Aston Villa, lost 3-1. Supports Coventry City, not a very good team. Daughter supports Aston Villa.

Track 3
Went to watch Aston Villa play Coventry, at Highfield Road. Watches every Coventry game. A good atmosphere, good ground, Leicester City have a terrible ground. Wants the team to improve. Remembers 1987, Coventry won the FA Cup. He was at the game at Wembley, against Tottenham. Queued all night for tickets. Wembley was brilliant, he made a flag, a brilliant game. Then Tottenham had a good side, Glen Hoddle, Chris Waddle. Came back to Coventry and it was great. Coventry played in first division, the best game was against Wolves, fifty-five thousand crowd.

Track 4
Really crowded, the best game he's ever seen. Has all the programmes. Plays darts at Coundon Social Club, likes walking in the country. Mum's family lived in Coventry. His ex-wife, Eileen, came from a big family, six sisters. Mum has five sisters. Met Eileen at President Kennedy youth club. She went to Cardinal Newman. He was going out with a girl called Anne, and Eileen was going out with Clive. They both split up and swapped and so he went out with Eileen. She was 13 years old, he was 15 years old. Were married for twenty-two years. Has two children.

Track 5
Gets on well with his children. Remembers his brain injury - playing football at Bablake Astroturf. Wife said he looked blue, he was playing, and made a shot on goal but hit the corner flag, then collapsed, eyes wide open. That day his whole life changed. Went to Walsgrave Hospital, then the rehabilitation centre in Leamington for a year and a half. Eddie Kidd was there, after he left. Had to take tablets and wear a nappy. Then came back to Coventry, went back to Jaguar and everyone came to see him.

Track 6
Lives in a top floor flat. Comes to 'Grapevine' to meet people, play pool and cards. Friends at 'Grapevine' are important, but they disagree about football. As a teenager went to nightclubs. Aged 16 years, went to the 'Hollybush', in Holbrooks, had a disco. He was playing football for Whitley Wanderers but got forced to play for Holbrooks instead. Went to the Pink Parrot, The City Centre, Mr Georges, Locarno.

Track 7
Saw Gary Glitter, at 'Mr Georges'. Goes to 'Jumping Jaks', going to see Martine McCutcheon. Likes music, used to be a singer. Was in a production at The Butts (Technical College), sang a solo. Likes karaoke, sings Chuck Berry 'My Ding-a-ling', Chuck Berry sung it at the Locarno. He does karaoke twice a week.

Track 8
Goes to see bands. There is a 'Jam' tribute band, singer was on 'Stars in Their Eyes'. Remembers 'Two-Tone'. Likes The Beatles, Elvis. Went to see 'The Real Thing' at Fatty Arbuckles. First job was the apprenticeship at Jaguar in Radford. Worked as an electrician at Browns Lane. Worked all night. After his injury he got jobs through Rehab UK in Birmingham. Got a job at Birmingham airport, but got the sack.

Track 9
Wore a uniform and looked like a policeman. A stripper asked her to help him play a trick on someone. Got sent home early, the manager called him and told him not to bother coming back. Went to see the people at Rehab UK.

Track 10
A school party had sent a letter of complaint, he had been asking the children questions about the aeroplanes but the teachers thought he was a stranger, hanging around. Has also worked for GEC and at Coventry City Farm, but can't get paid, Jaguar pay him every month. Got paid £7 when he first started at Jaguar.

Track 11
Bought a scooter, had to wear a helmet, got knocked off his scooter on the way to take an exam at college. Got there late but still passed the exam. Did well at school, enjoyed it, passed his exams. Thinks he is a Coventry Person though he was born in Meriden. Has enjoyed living here, would never leave. Thinks his life was really good up until the night of his injury when his whole life changed.
Interruption…

Track 12
He used to be captain of football team, chairman of PTA at his childrens' schools. Still sees his old team.

Coventry Lives Oral History Project, date of birth: 21/02/1956