A prolific goalscorer in the Yorkshire League with Wombwell Town, John Horton ended 1920-21 with a season’s haul of 40 goals. Southampton’s hopes for more of the same were instantly satisfied in the Reserves, for whom he scored seven times in eight Southern League matches. As a centre-forward under-studying Bill Rawlings, his chances of first-team football were likely to be few, however. Indeed, having deputised once for Rawlings in October in a home win over Watford, Horton was back in the Reserves. The next time that Rawlings was unavailable – winning his second cap for England – was 8 April 1922. But Sam Meston Jr was given his debut at home to Merthyr, while John was away with the Reserves at Bristol City. He broke his leg in that game with the Football Echo describing the break as a “terrific smash”. As a result. he spent some weeks in hospital and the injury was severe enough to end his career. In 1939 he was employed  as a “Engineering Fitter in Armaments and Aircraft.”