By Barbara Richardson
January 20 2004

I interviewed Jon at the end of a Mighty Quins Training Day. He, along with the rest of the squad, looked absolutely exhausted. Was it the kicking coaching I’d watched him astound our young fans with, that had tired him out? No. He’d obviously thoroughly enjoyed that! I think it was the apparently never-ending autographs the players all sign after one of these most popular sessions.
I’d promised to be gentle with him....it was his first interview.
It didn’t take long for him to realise it was my first time too!

To look at him, who would guess that Jon had arrived prematurely by some 3 to 4 weeks, weighing less than 5 lbs? It was the 12th April 1980 at St Thomas’s Hospital Paddington. He is the 2nd of four children and the only boy. (Explains how he coped with The Harlequin Ladies Team on his table at the PAD last year!! More of which later)
He didn’t know how tall he was at birth but wanted it on record that he is now just half an inch short of 6ft tall and weighs in at 17 and a half stone. (Would you argue?)

He started playing rugby at the age of 8 and went on to play for Dulwich College and then Old Elthamians before joining Saracens as an Associate Player (their equivalent of our Academy.)
In the summer of 2000 he was recruited by Mark Evans and came to Quins. Unable to get a regular spot in Sarries 1st team, Jon was happy to make the transfer.
I had to ask him what it was like for a prop, coming to play at a club with Jason Leonard.... he’d have thought it weird if I hadn’t, surely?
He told me how helpful Jase and Woody were, offering advice and encouragement. (I knew it!!)

I tentatively asked Jon about his Looky-Likie on the Diamond Geezers website.
He said he was proud to be associated with the honey monster which had appeared with some of the all-time greats from the world of sport.
Who knows, perhaps they’ll appear together in the future?
Jon was obviously roused by this reference to Looky-Likies as he became VERY ENTHUSIASTIC as he talked about the strange similarity between Ceri Jones and Colin Wetherby from The Brittas Empire.

To get off this subject I asked Jon whether he eats Sugar Puffs.
Apparently he starts off the day with a bowl of Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes followed up by 2 slices of toast with Marmite, all washed down with a couple of pints of water.
On training days this is supplemented, later in the morning, with more water and a protein shake or bar.
Lunch usually consists of boiled chicken, vegetables and either potato or rice and some sort of sauce.
The majority of evening meals involve curries. Jon shares with Chris Bell and they are both curry fanatics. It’s a good job really. What with the Marmite in the morning and curry at night, you might think Jon would be a nightmare sharer, but Chris spoke very highly of his housemate!

In answer to the “favourite opposition” question, Jon immediately replied, “Newcastle!” (That Tetley Final still causing trouble.)
“Obviously beating Sarries is pretty sweet too.”

I asked Jon about his spare time. What does he do to relax?

The future?
Jon told me his current contract runs until 2005 and he is very happy playing at Quins.
“They’re a great bunch of guys. The competition for 1st team places is very high and that keeps everyone on their toes.”
He has played for England at Under 21 level and would relish the move up to the seniors.
When I enquired about any plans for a post-rugby career Jon admitted to feeling scared. He thinks he will probably do something connected to Geography as that was his best subject.
His age group is the first to come straight into the professional game and he is well aware of the need to plan ahead for his future.

Time to go in for the kill......
Tell me about the Players Awards Dinner Jon!
Is it true that when you heard you were on the Harlequins Ladies Team’s table, you went white and said, “They’ll eat me alive!!”?
Jon admitted there was a certain amount of truth in this rumour. He really didn’t know what to expect. “You hear all sorts about ladies rugby players.” He was pleasantly surprised and said he had a great time but that they did out-drink him!
It was starting to get dark and Chris Bell’s heckling in the background was getting a little intrusive so I thought it was time to call a halt, but there was one last question I had to ask? I’d noticed a bit of a 5 o’clock shadow (some three days old) around Jon’s chin.
Are you growing a beard, Jon?
“No,” he replied. “I’ve run out of razor blades. They’re ****** expensive!”
With a promise to look into a sponsorship deal for him with either Marmite or Gillette, I finally let the poor guy go.
I did contact Marmite, even wrote a TV ad for them.......
Jon Dawson in a rolling maul, eau de Marmite emanating from every pore, as the opposition scrum backs off.
Marmite..you either love it or hate it.....

They haven’t bitten yet. Perhaps it’s time to try Gillette?

Since doing the interview I have come to realise what high regard Jon’s colleagues hold him in. He is also a great favourite amongst the Quins’ faithful and knowledgeable crowd and I’m waiting for Mad Max to play “Who Let the Dogs/Daws Out?” when Jon scores a try.
I may be best known for my admiration for another Quins front row but Jon Dawson will always be my “turbo prop!”