John's long sojourn at the 'Standard' is finally over! (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

John's long sojourn at the 'Standard' is finally over!

QUITE honestly, I'm finding it difficult to grasp that this is my final edition as sports editor at the Standard.

The past 17 years have simply flown by, and any thoughts of actually retiring from a job that I've thoroughly enjoyed haven't really hit me yet.

I've already asked a number of colleagues that, should they see me beavering away at my desk next Monday morning, they are to remind me that I've officially joined the ranks of the OAPs!

My one big concern is that I've had to resign from the top-floor Lottery syndicate, comprising of work colleagues Lyn, Linda, Di, Tonia and Rosie.

It will just be my wretched luck, of course, that they win big time on Saturday. If they do, I wonder whether they'll give that poor old man, who used to work in the corner, a second thought?

Another thing I will find some getting used to - and that is being home on a Tuesday evening.

Up until now, this has always been my one day in the week that I've had to burn the midnight oil at the office.

I can recall many highlights during my tenure at the Standard with several local sports clubs celebrating significant milestones.

Of those that spring immediately to mind are Cirencester Cricket Club's 150th and centenaries for Cirencester Town FC, Fairford CC and Poulton CC.

Cirencester Golf Club also celebrated a centenary, as did Purton CC. Fairford Bowling Club reached 75 years, as have Cirencester Bowling Club this season, while Cirencester and District Air Rifle and Pistol Club clocked up 70 years.

And the 50-mark was passed by both Cirencester RFC and Cirencester Car Club.

May I conclude by saying that there are many people I'm indebted to for their help over the years, and far too many to name here.

But a special thank you goes to my long-suffering wife Christine for all her help; Jim Saunders, who has been writing reports on behalf of Cirencester Town FC during my entire 17 years, and freelance photographer Terry Parker Parker who has braved all manner of weather over the past seven years to bring us quality pictures.

Finally, to all my friends at the Standard, and especially the top-deck crew . . . "Thanks for the memories".