John Henry Addenbrooke was born on June 6, 1865 and was a true one club man. His club were Wolverhampton Wanderers - whom he help found in 1877 while working as a teacher at St. Luke's School in Blakenhall. Wolves were originally called St. Lukes FC. Following a move in job (he went to Saltley College in Birmingham), he then took up the game professionally in 1883, joining Wolves as a forward in their reserve side. Though he never made a first team appearance - his stock within the club was respected, and in August 1885 he was appointed as Wolves' first-ever paid secretary-manager.

His time at the club as manager was to be a long one (37 seasons in total) and included FA Cup wins in 1893 and 1908 (they were also runners-up in 1889, 1896 and 1921) but not the title. In 1909 - 24 years into his professional football life he was awarded a long-service medal by the Football League.

He took leave from the club in June 1922 due to ill health and died just months later.