John Froggatt

John Lawrence Froggatt (13 December 1945 – 23 May 2025) was an English footballer and manager. A forward, he scored 45 goals in 215 league games in seven seasons in the Football League.

Froggatt began his career at Notts County in 1963. He later played for Ilkeston Town and Buxton before coming to prominence with Boston United between 1969 and 1974. After finishing as Northern Premier League runners-up in 1971–72, they won the league title in 1972–73 and 1973–74. In August 1974, he was signed by Colchester United for a £6,000 fee. Crowned the club's Player of the Year in 1975, he helped the club to win promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1976–77. He was signed by Port Vale for £10,000 in February 1978 before being sold to Northampton Town for £8,000 seven months later. He returned to Boston United the following year and managed the club in three Alliance Premier League campaigns between 1981 and 1984. He later spent two years in charge at Ilkeston Town.

Playing career Early career Froggatt played for non-League East Kirkby Colliery before joining Notts County in 1963. They finished third, two points short of the title, in 1969–70; fourth in 1970–71; second in 1971–72, two points behind champions Stafford Rangers; first in 1972–73 by a nine points margin; and first again in 1973–74 under manager Keith Jobling.

Colchester United Froggatt transferred to Third Division club Colchester United in August 1974 for a £6,000 fee, joining former Boston strike partner Bobby Svarc and former Boston manager Jim Smith at Layer Road. He scored his first Football League goal on 24 August, in a 3–2 defeat by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. 15 seconds into his Vale debut; a 4–0 win over Exeter City on 8 February 1978 at Vale Park, and he had scored his first goal for the club. Despite this, he tweaked his hamstring the following month and only scored two more goals in eleven further league games in 1977–78 as the "Valiants" were relegated into the basement division. He scored three times for the struggling "Cobblers", including on his debut.

Personal life and death Froggatt's wife gave birth to twins in 1985.

Career statistics

Honours Individual Colchester United F.C. Player of the Year: 1975

Boston United Northern Premier League: 1972–73 & 1973–74

Colchester United Football League Fourth Division third-place promotion: 1976–77