Another of the Byrne brothers, John made his debut for Northwood as a 14-year-old way back in the 1951/52 season, so was approaching the end of his playing career when the Woods joined the Middlesex League. He moved on from Northwood to join the Arsenal groundstaff, later playing for Hendon, Wealdstone, Eynesbury Rovers, Rolls Royce and Leavesden before rejoining the Woods in 1974.

Having subsequently played for a number of years for the Vets, John still regularly watches the first team play.