John Sothern Spencer was born in Grassington on 10 August 1947 and educated at Cressbrook School, Sedbergh School and Cambridge University where he gained three Blues between 1967 and and 1969. He is now a solicitor in north Yorkshire. He played club rugby at centre for Headingley and Wharfedale. He ranks joint eighth in the all-time appearances' records for the Barbarians with 23 games between 1969 and 1977, including 11 tries and a record ten matches (in modern times) as captain. He also captained Cambridge University, England under-25 and, on four occasions, England. As well as playing in 14 internationals at centre for England, he toured Australasia in 1971 with the successful British Isles' side, playing in 10 games, three of them on the wing and one, against a Combined XV at Timaru, as captain. In 1970 he played for England & Wales against Scotland & Ireland as part of the RFU's centenary celebrations. His many administrative roles include a Board Director on the RFU, a representative on the IRB, and a director of the British & Irish Lions. John Spencer was named the new President of the Barbarian Football Club in 2019. See also - Roll of Honour : Profiles