"Abo standing on a table in the Saleyards Hotel singing his song as the blue and gold boys repeat the words in unison, bellowing their respect for the "big, black man" of North Shore Football Club. Savoring the amber taste of the 1983 Geelong Football League premiership, "Abo's song becomes a public illustration of the esteem with which the people from Seagull-land hold John Albon. The song ignites an unashamed showing of unity as the 'Shore throng erupts into the club song, rubbing Seagull salt into the wounds of Bell Park in its own watering hole. Performing on a pub table under the influence of victory refreshments in front of a packed bar is uncharacteristic of John. He's not the sort of bloke who seeks adulation or attention but, on request, will end the season with his song. Otherwise it's normally for the bus ride on the way home from footy trips. A man of few words, Abo usually reserves his performing to Saturday afternoons while wearing his familiar number 25 lace-up. One of the most popular and best footballers to grace Windsor park, he holds a unique place in the club's history. He is the only player to have played in all six North Shore premiership sides in the Hynes era since 1974. Albon at centre half back, behind the influence of Hynes, been one of the key factors in the club's Golden Decade. Rarely flashy and always eyeing a direct path to the ball, Albon's tough, desperate approach has characterised 'Shore's game and gained the respect of opposing sides. Widely regarded as the GFL's best centre half back for many years, strong marking and determination are the hallmarks of his game. John 29, has played more than 230 senior games for North Shore. He began his career at the club playing for the under 15's coached by Bill Benson and then on to the under 18's coached by John Bligh. From there he progressed to Geelong under 19's where he spent a season as a 17 year old. His playing traits emerged early, as the words of an under 19 newspaper report illustrate: "Showing tremendous courage on many occasions, Albon won the ball with sheer determination." He began season 1974 with Geelong reserves, but returned mid-season after recovering from a broken collarbone. "Billy Nicholls and Hynesy asked me to play. I didn't like it at Geelong much so decided to come back," recalled John. He went straight into the seniors as a forward pocket - ruckman against East Geelong at Richmond Crescent. 'Shore lost the game by one point and "I didn't play very well", said John. It wasn't long before the Seagull selectors had placed the wiry six footer (a fraction over actually) to centre half back, the position he occupied in the 1974 grand final against East, this is still John's most memorable game. "I suppose because 1974 was the first premiership it will always be the best. "The celebrations were unreal, there seemed like there was a million people in the clubrooms that night. Everybody was treating you like a hero. The old blokes really celebrated because it was the club's first success for a while. Only 18 at the time, John remembers the infamous brawl in the 74 grand final. I was the only one who didn't throw a punch, i was a bit stunned i didn't know what was going on. In a slugging nine point grand final win, John made the best players - a prelude to may finals to come. Abo has always been a brilliant player under pressure, reserving his best for finals. Perhaps it's his genial nature, but John rarely seems to break out of a canter against lower teams. "I don't go out with it in my mind that i'm going to take things easy," defends John. "I always think i want to play well, but it doesn't always happen. After establishing himself as a top flight defender in 1975 and 1976, Geelong invited John back. He trained a couple of times, but never had the ambition to take his football to a higher standard. Undoubtedly, Abo had the potential to become a VFL footballer, however he isn't one of those "I could have if ..." players. He has no regrets about staying with the blue and gold. "I've always been happy where i was playing, i've never had any big ambitions. "I became settled in a routine and wasn't dedicated enough to train any more than two nights a week, and i guess i liked the social side of football too much. Unlike most footballers with market value, John's loyalty is to the seagulls. "I've had lots of offers - every year - but i've never really thought of leaving. "I'd never coach....I wouldn't know where to start, i'm not the type and i'd rather just be one of the boys. During his late teens Abo admits to being one of the boys of the streets as well as the football field. It was during this period he acquired most of his colorful tattoos which, combined with his short black hair and stern playing face, make him an awesome looking customer. "I always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," explained John. "I used to get into a bit of trouble, but i settled down when i married Annie (his wife)." Since taking the vows in 1976, he and Annie have produced three sons, Shane, Matthew and Brent, they too have become familiar figures around the club. This stability in his personal life has been reflected in his consistency on the field. A casual bloke off the field, John isn't exactly a workhorse on the training track. He maintains that while he doesn't work hard at training, he rarely misses a night. He "loves" Sunday morning training: "I don't mind getting up, Sunday morning's are a good laugh and you hear what everyone has done the night before. Abo is proud to say he has never done the pub run on a Sunday for being late. His teammates can vouch, John likes nothing better on a Sunday than telling them how many marks and kicks he had the day before (even if he didn't have many) and trying to take a few 'speckies' on those unlucky enough to be at the front of the pack. He said he began doing statistics in 1977 "just mucking around", but has continued the practice ever since. Sunday training continues for John after most other lads are in the changerooms showering, he puts in at least another hour on the fence with the Sunday morning Grog Squad demolishing a few hangovers cans and spinning yarns. Formed during season 1983, Abo is a Grog Squad foundation member, incidentally he is also a life member of NSFC. The 5pm to 7pm Sunday session is almost a ritual for John as well, informs Annie. A true backman Abo knows exactly how many goals he has kicked in his long career - probably around 20 he says. "I'm definitely not a goal kicker," he said. "I'm too much of a panic merchant." Few seagull supporters will forget his magnificent running goal against St Mary's in the 1981 preliminary final, he burst through the centre square and drilled home a long six pointer, initiating a 'Shore run-on. North Shore has produced many top half back flankers in the past 10 years - Ken Ivermee, Max Giddings, Bill Dixon, Geoff Boothroyd, Tony Gill, Wayne Thomas and Claude Gasparini. "It's too hard to pick a best half back line, i'd say Max Giddings was the best to play along side because he'd always mark the ball if it went to my right side." John doesn't hesitate in naming Gordon Hynes as the best player he has seen at North Shore. "He could do everything, he was determined, could mark, run and had all the ball skills. His determination was the main thing. "Hynesy was the biggest influence on my career, he taught me that you are never beaten and about the will to win. Other 'Shore players who stand out in Abo's memory include Colin Luttrell for his kicking, Barry Smith and Billy Benson for their toughness, Phil Dennis for his wing play and Carl Ferguson for his bluff tactics. He names Alex Rizun and Butch Reid as outstanding opposition players. His hardest opponent was Newtown captain-coach, Hugh Strahan, who he played on during the 1977 and 1978 final series. "Fergy" is undoubtedly the funniest character he has seen at North Shore. "He was a footy trip specialist, quick witted and always up to something," said Abo. "One day at Hynesy's place he decided to make a few dog food hamburgers and asked who was hungry. I piped up, ate the dog food burger and ended up picking it out of my teeth for the rest of the afternoon. "I alway's said that barring injuries i would retire at 30." But Abo won't be lost to the club after he retires because he wants to join the committee and spend the rest of his days on Hilderbrand's Hill. Typically, he said: "I suppose I'll have to take up some other sport, but it's definitely not going to involve any running.