The defender Johnny Pender

[7decades]

On BBC programme Garden Rescue now. John is wheel chair bound in his house in Shropshire

[jdrobbo]

On BBC programme Garden Rescue now. John is wheel chair bound in his house in Shropshire

Not able to watch at present but I do hope that he’s doing well.

The skipper of my first ever Burnley side of 1991/92 and my main memory was of a player who was far too good for Division 4. He read the game very well. A great head on him, both in terms of reading the game and heading clear or into the net from our corners.

[JohnDearyMe]

Hope he's doing as well as possible.

Tangentially was Mark Winstanley really a better shout than him when we were promoted to what is now the Championship? Seem to recall that he wasn't given much game time after the Wembley play off win

[fidelcastro]

Hope he's doing as well as possible.

Tangentially was Mark Winstanley really a better shout than him when we were promoted to what is now the Championship? Seem to recall that he wasn't given much game time after the Wembley play off win

I think he was injured for a large part of it.

[Quicknick]

I didn't know Pender had MND. Very sad.

[Bosscat]

Saw the end of this programme, and didn't realise who it was till saw this thread... so watching back on i-player ... lovely bloke JP ... so sad to see him in a wheelchair.

Hope he gets a lot of enjoyment from the garden along with Denise and his family ...

Took me right back to that day at Wembley in 94

[dougcollins]

50p head.

I loved John Pender, the epitome of solid.

[DCWat]

I caught it whilst flicking channels - I didn’t realise that he had MND either. Not sure how recent the programme was filmed but hopefully being able to access and enjoy his garden is a pleasure that he is enjoying and benefitting from.

[Walkerpool]

I didn't know about his illness it's very sad. Very much like John Terry

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

A wonderful no nonsense defender and played a huge part in our return from the 4th division. What a partnership he had with Davis.

[NL Claret]

Had twitter conversation with Steve Davis, I was sure Phil Stant had done Pender , left a late one on him in the Mansfield game in the promotion season. Davis was surprised as he said Pender was as hard as they come and not many took him on. Someone said he would have headed a cannonball! Pender made an appearance in the foundation lounge quite a few years back, came across as a very quiet unassuming kind of guy. Hope Pender the Defender is as well as can be.

[hoskinsgoalatswansea]

Penderog! Good solid centre half. Captained 2 promotions. Has anyone else done that?

Wish him all the best.

[Vim Fuego]

Pender The Defender

[Tricky Trevor]

Penderog! Good solid centre half. Captained 2 promotions. Has anyone else done that?

Wish him all the best.

Dobo, not to play down JPs contribution in his two promotions.
Bestwishes to him.

[JohnDearyMe]

I think he was injured for a large part of it.

Thanks, i must have forgotten that.

[Ilkley claret]

We’re going on a bender with Jonny Pender!

Top player

[Wokingclaret]

Think this was a repeat, its about a year old

[ClaretLoup]

JP also gained promotion with Wolves, Charlton and Wigan.
An immense player for Burnley and very sad to hear about his current disposition.

[Venkys4eva]

I remember an away game, boxing day I think, maybe exeter city away.. we were winning 1-0 and they equalised and the telegraph had a picture of pender on the back with the headline 'captain clanger'!

He was a good player, I always liked Pender. Sad to hear that hes now in a wheelchair.

[Burnley1989]

Went to school with his daughter, used to be star struck seeing him on the yard as an 8 year old

Very very sad

[4:20]

I'll never forget his winner against Mansfield in that 3-2 home win. What an atmosphere that day.

https://youtu.be/IZNx4EIeZiU?si=Xy2pj5KKgRNlE5NR

[Bin Ont Turf]

How sad.

Great player for us. Always remember the Mansfield match and he was brilliant.

[bfcjg]

There was a fundraising event event for him at the Turf a couple of years ago, it was a fantastic night with a lot of former Clarets there. His family are remarkably proud of him and were genuinely touched seeing just how much he was loved and respected. He happily posed for photos with a lot of us older Clarets and i treasure my photo with him. A truly good pro and solid defender but more importantly a genuinely nice bloke. There was a chant of we're going on a bender with Pender the defender as well.

[Enola Gay]

https://youtu.be/IZNx4EIeZiU?t=5087

From the corner.

Back when you didn't wonder if we'd win; it was how many will we win by...

[ClaretTony]

I didn't know Pender had MND. Very sad.

Was revealed in November 2021 so that’s some time ago for someone with this horrible illness.

[Quicknick]

Was revealed in November 2021 so that’s some time ago for someone with this horrible illness.

Thanks. I had no idea. A very good CH. Much better than the lightweights who had proceeded him.

[Claretitus]

I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with John, Denise and their family when he lived in Ightenhill whilst with the Clarets. Really nice guy, and a lovely family. Stay strong John.

[wilks_bfc]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001q89y

Link to the show on iplayer

[JohnDearyMe]

https://youtu.be/IZNx4EIeZiU?t=5087

From the corner.

Back when you didn't wonder if we'd win; it was how many will we win by...

Brilliant. Simple celebration and straight back into position in his own half

[ClaretTony]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001q89y

Link to the show on iplayer

So, so sad to see John like that, heart breaking. I watched my good friend Alan Beecroft fight this dreadful illness just a few years ago and we saw Lenny Johnrose go through it too. He obviously loves his garden so fantastic that he can get back out there now.

[IanMcL]

Great to watch in those days of rising again.

Not many Burnley players have letters after their name.

John Pender OG

Sad if wheelchair bound. Worse still MND since 2020.
Horrendous.

Thank you for the joy, Capt JP.

[mdd2]

MND and dementia are two of the worst conditions for which in 2024 there is virtually no treatment compared with most ultimately fatal conditions which includes cancer heart disease and many others. MND and dementia are certainly commoner in footballers although the type of dementia is likely to be chronic traumatic encephalopathy and not the oft quoted Alzheimer's. Both also seem to hit footballers earlier in their lives too. None of us would opt for either as presently there is no light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
I have no idea if the PFA have set up any funds to support players who develop these job related diseases but there should be one set up. Pretty sure 0.5% of players income from football would fill the pot by around £20million/year more so if the was a levy of 0.5% on transfer and agents fees.
I didnt see the programme, which I think seems to be from September 2023, but it will have been heart wrenching to watch; pleased it was possible to add a little solace to John's remaining time with us.
He was a very good servant for our club in his five seasons with us.