Full playing record:- 3 Caps for England; two against South Africa in 1984 and he came on as a replacement against Ireland in 1986.

John finally hung up his boots after Bath v Leicester Cup Final on 29th April 1989 following an illustrious playing career involving 335 1st XV appearances, 81 tries, 223 conversions, 9 drop goals and 182 penalties and 1343 points.

He appeared 4 times for the Barbarians scoring 2 tries.

First game

9/4/75 v Northampton, Away. Lost 3-15. C Perry (Capt), J Davies (penalty), S Donovan, N Hudson, V Gaiger, J Palmer, M Lloyd, J Meddick, A Parfitt, G Pudney, B Jenkins, R Wheeler, R Lye, C Harry, G Pillinger.

Palmer’s scrum-half partner, Malcolm Lloyd had returned after a long absence. He had the devastating misfortune to fracture his leg five minutes from time. It was a sad repeat of a previous break, same leg, against the same team some fifteen months previously. It was a major setback for this plucky player. This was John Palmer’s introduction to senior rugby.

The record of ‘J.P.’s season of captaincy:- 1985-1986

Last game

29/4/1989 v Leicester, Won 10-6. Pilkington Cup – Final.  Team:- J Palmer, A Swift, S Halliday, J Guscott, F Sagoe, S Barnes (Try & 2 penalties), R Hill, G Chilcott, G Dawe, M Lee, J Morrison, D Cronin, A Robinson, J Hall, D Egerton. Referee – F Howard.
Replacements – K Hoskin, P Simpson, S Knight, N Redman, J Deane & V Ubogu

The Bath Club directly commissioned two special trains and 31 buses. There were countless coaches run on an independent basis, very many of them associated with pubs.  There must have been very little transport left for a day out at Weston-super-Mare, or an evening mystery trip to the Mendips!

Despite being short of match practice at top level, veteran Palmer was nonetheless the preferred full-back. He fully justified selection with a typically silky break midway through the second half. This was far from a classic encounter, but nevertheless a highly intense affair as two well organised outfits battled for supremacy. Forward momentum was obtained by conquering the ‘hard yards’ against well organised defences.
It was a farewell appearance for Leicester legend Dusty Hare, and for Bath’s own stalwart John Palmer. It had been tough – very tough, but not spectacular by both team’s free-flowing standards.

As Jack Rowell would say – it’s all about winning!

One might reflect that commencing with the arrival of Horton in 1973 and Barnes final game in 1994, Bath enjoyed the talent of three outside halves who eventually notched up the following aggregate level of Bath 1st XV experience:-

*During his career John Palmer played with equal distinction at outside-half, full-back and centre.

Indeed, Palmer’s all-round ability is best summed up by Brian Jones in his admirable book - ACE OF CLUBS:

“Palmer in the words of the old watchers, had a beautiful pair of hands and was a magnificent kicker of the ball from those hands. His balance and his ability to change pace and to time his passes perfectly, were other assets. But it was his capacity to see openings, and add abrupt changes of direction, so wrong-footing his opponents, followed by sudden acceleration, that made him so exciting a centre, deft, darting and at times dazzling in his creation.”

Previously a teacher at King Edward’s School, Bath, ‘J.P.’ is Bath’s Academy and United Coach

 

Peter Hall November 2005 ©