Dr John Little Tribute
It is with great sadness that CUAFC learned of Dr Little’s passing on 7th January, 2026.
John’s dedication to CUAFC spanned more than 50 years across multiple roles and has left a lasting legacy. It is truly bittersweet that CUAFC has been able to return home with CURUFC at Grange Road - thanks in no small part to his efforts as a Trustee of the ground over many years - but that he was not able to witness the current and future generations of CUAFC playing there.
John is a 5-time Men’s Blue, appearing in his first Varsity Match at Wembley Stadium in 1972, having arrived at St Catharine’s College from Stratford Grammar School. John was the CUAFC Blues Captain in 1974 and felt all of the emotions of being on winning, drawing and losing teams across his Varsity experience. Varsity Match programmes describe John – who had also represented West Ham United Juniors, along with Cambridge City and other local clubs – as a “dangerous striker and a natural goal scorer” and though I knew John later in his life and didn’t see him play, I enjoyed his anecdotes about the goals that he scored! John was always great company and delighted in sharing many fantastic football stories.
In 1982 John became the Senior Treasurer of the club and held the role until 2020. His – very welcome – involvement continued in his new Role as Senior/Lifetime President. I could not have asked for more support or guidance from John and Wendy throughout my time in the Senior Treasurer position; nor would the club have been able to continue to prosper without the financial management and planning that John and Wendy had undertaken. John was always certain to ensure that it was known that it had been a team effort and that Wendy’s immense contributions were recognised.
John represented CUAFC as a member of the Football Association Council for a total of 25 years, up until 2024, also serving as Vice-President of the F.A. During this time John worked tirelessly to support grassroots football, University football and the amateur and semi-professional levels of the game. Among many endeavours, John worked on the oversight of The FA Vase and the amateur and semi-professional England Representative teams. John also pursued the F.A. to recognise CUAFC as the oldest football club in the world, proudly opening an exhibition at the National Football Museum, which celebrated the contribution of CUAFC to the origin of the beautiful game.
Within the University, John’s involvement in sport stretched beyond football and he served for many years on the University Sports Syndicate, promoting sport and working to enhance the University’s facility provision and sporting opportunities for its students. For over two decades, John was an administrator of the Eric Evans Fund, supporting grants to students pursuing excellence in a range of sports and gaining sports coaching qualifications. He was also the Senior Member of the Men’s Blues Committee for 20 years, taking over after Dr Chris Thorne, a colleague of John’s at St Catharine’s who worked tirelessly and achieved a huge amount for the benefit of sport at Cambridge and who sadly passed away recently.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, John served as the University Pro-Proctor in 2004/5, Serving Proctor in 2005/6, Deputy Proctor in 2006/7, and later served another term in 2010/11. Another role which highlighted his drive to support University sports clubs, societies and student activities.
CUAFC - and the wider University sporting community - is immensely grateful for John’s efforts, knowledge, guidance and generosity of time.
Our thoughts are with John’s wife Wendy, as well as his family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He is – and will continue to be – deeply missed.
Simon Cornish
(Senior Treasurer 2020-25, CUAFC)
