Doncaster, Arthur

Birth Date

13th May 1908

Birthplace

Barry Dock, Glamorgan

Occupation

Forward

Biographical Text

Appearing in the outside-left position through the club’s 1931 FA Cup run, and part of a memorable left-wing partnership with Harold Houghton, Arthur Doncaster played for Exeter City between 1928 and 1932. He joined the club from Bolton Wanderers and later played for Crystal Palace. He also appeared for Reading, Gillingham and Yeovil before returning to live in Exeter.

Welsh schools international, Doncaster, spent two seasons with his local side, Barry Town, moving to Bolton Wanderers as an 18-year-old in 1926. He stayed at Burnden Park for two seasons but didn’t make the breakthrough into their league side.

That was to change though on his move to Exeter City in the summer of 1928, where he played a prominent part in a very successful period in City’s history, including reaching the quarter-final of the FA Cup in 1931. Making his debut for the Grecians in a 4-2 defeat at Brentford, Doncaster scoring one of the goals, he became a regular fixture in the left-wing spot. His best season was his last at the club in 1931-32, when he only missed one league game and scored eight goals.

Doncaster then signed for Crystal Palace, but he only stayed one season, scoring four goals in 15 league starts. His next club was Reading, but once more he was unable to reproduce the form that he had shown at St James’ Park, and two games and a season later, he was on move again. His final league club was Gillingham who he signed for in the summer of 1934 and he enjoyed two seasons at Priestfield, playing 68 league matches and scoring 16 goals. After leaving the Gills, he signed for Yeovil and Petters United.

After playing in Army footall during the Second World War, in November 1946, Doncaster, then aged 38, made a playing comeback with Exeter local side, Buddle Estate, who played in the Exeter and East Devon League. It was at this time he was landlord of the Ropemakers, now the Bowling Green.

Appearances

126

Goals

31

Files

Comments

Emmajane Rees (nee Doncaster)

hi .... i would really love to find out more about my father's football career ... any information you have would be welcome... thanks in advance emmajane x 

Emmajane Rees

hi .... i would really love to find out more about my father's football career ... any information you have would be welcome... thanks in advance emmajane x 

Paul Farley

Contact us via the Club EmmaJane

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