John Mitchell signed for the Haws in time for the 1988/89 season and up to his testimonial he had played a total of 710 times and had scored 157 goals.

John has amassed an impressive array of winners medals during his career, including a Scottish Cup winners medal from 1990, no less than eight Fife League winners medals from 1989, 94, 95, 96, 98, 2000, 2002 and 2005, a Fife & Lothian winners medal in 96, the same year he won the first of four Fife & Tayside medals. The others came in 2001, 2002 and 2005.

A further 17 local cup winners medals and two Hill Of Beath Hawthorn player of the year awards are also included.

As a mark of recognition for John's loyalty to the Haws a Testimonial match between Hill Of Beath Hawthorn and a Haws legends team was played on 28th May 2006.

The legends team included many players who had expressed a desire to play in the match alongside John. The legends team included David Westwood, Colin Campbell, Brian Kenny, Bruce Deas, Eric Archibald, Alan Archibald, Steve McInroy, Bobby Wilson, Lee Dair, John Wright, Brian Ritchie, Graham Mercer, Steve Kirk, Willie Syme, Billy Spence, Craig Smart, James McNab and Andy Brannigan whilst Shaun Dennis turned out for the Haws team. The legends dugout saw Tam McDonald and Jim Stenhouse locking horns with Finn and Ernie in the Haws dugout. There was little to chose between the sides until fatigue kicked in late on and the legends succumbed to late goals as the current team edged the match.

After the match, John, his family, supporters, both teams and the Haws committee all attended a presentation at Hill Of Beath Ex-Servicemens club in honour of John's dedication and loyalty.