Rigby Jimmy Image 1 Exeter City 1922

Description

Bolton, Lancashire born right half Jimmy Rigby began his football career in local football with St Mark’s and joined Atherton before signing for Lancashire Combination club Accrington Stanley in 1905, and was part of the Stanley side that won both the Lancashire Combination and the Lancashire Cup in 1906, spending some time during 1906-07 on the books of First Division Bolton Wanderers without making a first team appearance. He re-joined Accrington Stanley in 1907, before moving to Southern League Exeter City in July 1911, making his Southern League debut against Bristol Rovers at Eastville in October that year.

This was to be the start of a long and successful stay with Exeter, which also included him being a member of the squad that toured South America in 1914, however by the time of their return the First World War had erupted, forcing the suspension of peacetime football by the summer of 1915.

He continued his playing career with The Grecians after the First World War and when Exeter were elected to The Football League in 1920 Rigby made 7 appearances during their inaugural League season, playing 34 matches the following season, adding in total a further 60 League matches to his tally of 2 goals in 217 appearances for The Grecians before retiring from playing in 1923, also subsequently becoming a director at Exeter City for many years.