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30 April 2026  2 min read

John Lord RIP - former England and GB international passes away

Lord was an England international, winning more than 20 caps, and a GB representative in the 1972 Olympic Qualifying competition.

Lord's playing career was intertwined with Sutton Basketball Club as a founding member of the NBL, winning multiple titles through the years.

That included the 1974 NBL National Cup, with the renamed Sutton and Crystal Palace side beating Embassy All Stars 120-100 before becoming 82-81 runners up to the same opponents in the 1975 final as SCP Cinzano.

Sutton were also 1971 runners-up to Manchester University, and to London Latvians SK in 1973.

Lord, far left, ahead of the 1971 NBL National Cup Final with the rest of his Sutton team, including brother David (second left)

In recent years, Lord and others from the era formed the SCP Originals, consisting of players, coaches and administrators who were involved in the club during its first decade.

Sutton's successful runs included the likes of coach Harry Keats, plus Ed de Young, Kevin Bright, David Last, Paul Philp, Bob Traylen, Martin Hall, Gil Loescher, Flemming Wich, Malcolm Chamberlain, and Barry Huxley.

The club played a key role in the growth of the game across the 1960s and 70s, helping English basketball to develop.

Sutton also provided a junior outlet for former England and NBA star and Basketball England's Head of Talent and Performance Steve Bucknall, amongst countless others.