Background
Johnny saw service in Palestine with the Welsh Guards and Patrick did National Service and signed on for an extra 2 years with his father’s Scots Guards.
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John Cobbold
Edit ProfileBusinessman Duke of Devonshire
Education
Eton College.
Career
He chaired Ipswich Town F.C. (1957–1976)
He was accidentally shot in the leg by one of his soldiers during training but went on to be Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of The Bahamas. By the time Johnny celebrated his 21st birthday in 1948 he had become a director of ITFC and was the youngest director in the football league. He unsuccessfully fought 3 elections as a Conservative candidate.
The brothers were both involved in the Tolly Cobbold brewery in Ipswich and Chairmen of Ipswich Town F.C.
In 1955 Alf (later Sir) Alf Ramsey was appointed manager at Ipswich in succession to Scott Duncan and he took the club from 3rd division (South) to 1st division champions in 1961/62 before being appointed to manage the England side in 1963.
His statue was unveiled at Portman Road in August 2000 following his death the previous year. 1957 saw Johnny become Chairman of the club and Chairman of the Brewery which successfully merged with Tolly that year.
Bobby Robson loved Ipswich and after a bumpy start Ipswich loved Bobby. The only thing that could have prised him away happened, and for the second time the club lost its manager to the England job.
Johnny had developed cancer and stood down as Chairman in 1976 in favour of Patrick.
Their mother Lady Blanche daughter of Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire and sister-in-law of British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, ever supportive, was the Club President. Johnny died in 1983, the Tolly Cobbold brewery having been sold in 1977 to Ellerman Lincolnshire for amalgamation with J West Cameron of Hartlepool. Patrick and other family members stayed at their posts but Ellerman shipping losses proved too strong and the business was acquired by the Barclay brothers who sold it on to Brent Walker.
"To describe him as eccentric is only half the story. was at home in any company.
I am in no doubt that he was by far the nicest person I ever metropolitan"
Patrick and Lord Tollemache departed, bringing to an end the family’s involvement. Since 1723 Cobbolds had been Brewers in Suffolk for 266 years.
In the 76 years since ITFC went professional there have only been 29 directors but a third of them have been Cobbolds. There have only been 8 Chairmen and 5 of those have been Cobbolds.
As of 2007, the family continue to live at Glemham Hall in Suffolk.
Achievements
Personality
He was incredibly generous.
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Born
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Died
September, 1983 (aged 56) -
Nationality
United Kingdom -
Political Party
Conservative