John Hartson was born on 5 April 1975 in Swansea, as the third of four children to Cyril and Diana Hartson. Cyril had also played football, for local team Afan Lido.

Hartson grew up in Talycoppa, Swansea, alongside his elder brother James, elder sister Hayley, and younger sister Victoria. As a youngster Hartson represented Lonlas Boys' Club in Skewen, playing his first match aged six. He joined Luton Town's Youth Training Scheme at the age of sixteen.

John has always been a fans favourite and is one of the games original tough centre forwards who commanded respect at all levels of the game. A real hero to fans of many different clubs, John will be best remembered for his time at West Ham and Glasgow Celtic were he won a number of trophies during a glittering career.

John in true grit fashion is battling back against his current ill health and has started a charity foundation that will continue to heigthen awareness of testicular Cancer and will hopefully help others to identify the signs of Testicualr Cancer at the earliest stage.

.John commented that the biggest accolade he received during his playing days was when the staff at Mcdonalds in Glasgow named the 20 McNuggets box meal after him "a Hartson" as he was the only customer that ever ordered one.

 

 

Year                       Club 1992-1995            Luton Town 1995-1997            Arsenal 1997-1999            West Ham United 1999-2001            Wimbledon 2001                     Coventry City 2001 - 2006          West Bromwich Albion 2007                     Norwich City (loan)

4 players found   Frank McAvennie Mark Hateley Billy McNeill Rab Douglas