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John started his playing career with Clydebank but two six figure moves took him to Kilmarnock and then Falkirk before a move to Airdrieonians in October 2001. He remained with them until their demise and then returned to Falkirk in 2004 before later moves to St. Johnstone, Queen of the South and finally Dumbarton.
At both Airdrieonians and Falkirk he played for Ian McCall and when he called time on his career in the summer of 2007 it was McCall, by now the Partick Thistle manager, who offered him a coaching role.
He's been both first team and Under-19 coach with the Firhill club but has now, aged 37, been offered the opportunity to work with Coyle, another of his former managers from his time at both Falkirk and St. Johnstone.
Thistle haven't stood in his way and McCall said today when confirming the news: "First of all I would like to thank him for the great job that John has done here at Firhill over the last couple of years. When John came to tell me about the job offer he was white and asked me whether he should take the job or not. When he told me the offer he had been given I told him that it was a marvellous opportunity for him and that he shouldn't turn it down."
From a professional point of view, just like the departures of Gary Harkins and Marc Twaddle, John's departure is a loss but we will work hard at bringing in a replacement for him. On a personal point of view John is one of my best friends, who worked tirelessly while at Firhill, and he leaves Firhill with the very best wishes of all associated with the Club."