The Martin Dobson column.

THEY say leopards don't change their spots. Don't you believe it. Anybody, at some stage, can take on a different character.

John Angus was the first team right back when I joined Burnley in 1967. He was the archetypal professional. Great attitude, dependable, reliable. He would go through brick walls, was a 100 per cent team player and a manager's dream. He could also play a bit, as his trophy cabinet of eighteen U23 caps, one full England International cap and a Championship winning medal would testify.

So as a fledgling midfielder, I couldn't have asked for a more accomplished player to offer advice and encouragement. He told me what was required- where to go, how to play and what to expect.

So you can imagine my surprise, nay astonishment, when my mentor, in one particular game, starts wandering across the pitch. The red mist had descended, the eyes were glazed over and a completely new personality had emerged. One I hadn't witnessed before.

No amount of cajoling or shouting was going to stop the quiet assassin. He was on a mission. Stand clear, because anyone in his path would get trampled underfoot. His target, as we were soon to find out, was Terry Paine. The Southampton right winger was about to get his comeuppance.

Apparently in a previous life, Paine had caught John with what's best described as a rather late tackle. High and dangerous. Rearranging the following three words, you would get the drift - "top over the". In many cases such challenges would result in termination of a career.

John was lucky. Only six weeks sidelined with knee ligament damage. The day had come for revenge and the 'Quiet Man' wasn't prepared to wait any longer. Clint Eastwood would have produced his 44 Magnum - John had all the ammo he needed.

The team had to readjust to accommodate this unusual behaviour. When your international defender decides to go walkabout and suddenly occupies a left wing position, without so much as a by your leave, a spot of Ranieri 'tinkering' becomes a priority. Ralphie goes into midfield and I drop deep.

But this positional change was only temporary. Within minutes the big man saw his chance. A 50-50 situation arose with Paine and you don't need me to tell you who had to receive attention from the medics. Totally out of character, John left Paine writhing in agony. The job was done. The contract completed. John accepted his yellow card and trotted back to his familiar territory wearing a wry smile.

Totally out of character for the one club man, who first arrived at the Turf way back in 1955 and established himself in the team at 17 years of age.

At 21, he was a Championship winner with Burnley and won an International cap with England against Austria, alongside his team-mate Brian Miller. Interestingly, both players would play out of position with Brian taking up a right half role and John filling in at left full back.

"Jimmy Armfield was the established right back at the time and Ron Flowers was holding down the regular centre back position, so Brian and I filled in elsewhere" said John

"Manager Alan Brown was the manager when I first arrived at Burnley and subsequently I played under Harry Potts and Jimmy Adamson. I spent 18 years all told before I retired in 1973. I had a couple of injuries and had an operation on an Achilles tendon. I was awarded a testimonial and it coincided with the lads winning the Second Division championship so it all worked out well.

"During my time at Burnley, my room-mate was Adam Blacklaw and I was in digs with Jimmy Robson but the only player I see regularly now is Trevor Meredith who scored in that final game at Maine Road. He comes up to the north east for his holidays"

John had no desire to stay in the game. He and his wife Florence decided to move back to the North East after his playing days were over and settled in Amble where they bought a small business. His wife now runs a gift shop. John is retired enjoying his fishing, golf and walking his two collie dogs around the beautiful hillsides.

"I got my handicap down to two and represented the county but then struggled with my hips. I had a replacement operation about four years ago and am now playing again with an eight handicap at the local Walkworth Club. The fresh water fishing is superb around here and I love catching trout which my wife cooks superbly."

John rarely goes to games these days.

"I must admit I haven't missed the game and rarely even watch the matches on TV. But it was good coming down to Burnley to be part of the 'Wall of Legends' celebrations and chatting to the old players. It gets the blood rushing through the veins once more and you recapture the buzz of those wonderful days.

"The Burnley fans were very good to me. They always encouraged me, even when I came in at 17 years of age, which gave me a lot of confidence. It was a privilege to play for such a great club. I do remember moaning to Jimmy Adamson, who was in the team at the time, that I had two players to mark. Turning round, Jim said "You're lucky, I've got nobody!

"It was always special playing Newcastle because all my family and friends were United supporters. When we had a good result I had to go into hiding for the weekend!"

John has one grandson but as he's only 12 months old, maybe it's too early to see him following in his grand-dad's footsteps. If Terry Paine has a little one running about in a red and white Southampton shirt, could lightening strike twice? Maybe we'll find out in a couple of decades time!