Eveleigh, Edward

Occupation

Forward

Biographical Text

Edward Eveleigh was one of the club’s founding members. Having been an original St Sidwell’s United player in 1901, he appeared in the first game played by Exeter City in 1904 when he scored the team's opening goal with Sid Thomas getting the second. He briefly turned professional in 1908 although he did not appear for the first-team in the Southern League.

Playing for St Sidwell's United from the club's inception in 1901, he was recorded as a scorer in the opening friendly against Dawlish on 21 September 1901 and in the first league game Exeter YMCA on 5 October 1901. The club, which became Exeter City in 1904, had been formed largely by a group of 16- and 17-year olds who had attended St Sidwell’s school and lived close to the current St James’ Park.  

Having previously played for Exeter Wesleyan United, he appeared in nearly every St Sidwell’s game on record over the three seasons to 1904 and became a prolific goalscorer whilst helping Sid Thomas with some of his administrative duties. 

Moving into the Exeter City era, he scored the first goal in the opening league game against 110th Battery Royal Artillery on 10 September 1904 and appeared in nine of the first ten games in 1904/05 often captaining the team. Missing a February 1905 friendly against Torquay United, it was reported he had moved to Portsmouth and reports exist of a player of his surname having a trial with Portsmouth's reserve team in March 1905.

Known as 'Ginger' he was subsequently absent from City's line-up for all of 1905/06 but, with the club now featuring in the Plymouth and District League, reappeared towards the end of January 1907 to make seven appearances during the remainder of the season. Then, in 1907/08 he is recorded as playing in 25 games with his 15 goals making him the club's top-scorer.  

Exeter City: A Complete Record 1904-1990 records that, unlike most of City's other amateur players, he turned professional when the club joined the Southern League in 1908 although he did not appear in a first-team fixture thereafter.

[Like many players of the Edwardian era, there is uncertainty about some of the precise details relating to this player. The 1901 census for Exeter points to an Ernest Eveleigh - as opposed to Edward - a seventeen-year-old assurance clerk living in Albert Street. This would place Ernest as a contemporary of Sid Thomas and in the same line of work as Sid’s father. Although the ages are slightly awry there is an Exeter-born Ernest Eveleigh working in assurance in London in the 1911 census.]

Appearances

Exeter City 1904-1908

41

Goals

17

Files

Comments

Hon Ald. Bernard OBE Clement John Hughes

My Great friend  Mervyn Charles Eveleigh passed away a few weeks ago aged 89 years.  We know that he played Rugby for Wiveliscombe alongside the  Hancock Brothers and in Goal for Taunton Town FC.   It has been said that he played a few games for Exeter FC and had a trial for Midlesbrough FC. I have looked at the Archive  but to no avail. I dont know if there would be any other records kept at that time.  His funeral is on Tuesday next and I was hopeful of finding some information for the family.  Thanks Bernard

Peter Hawkridge

Edward Eveleigh signed for Barrow AFC during the summer of 1910, on the recommendation of James "Daisy" Bell and made his debut on 6th September against Turton.

His final appearance was on 5th February against Ashton Town, with Eveleigh making a total of 17 appearances and scoring 1 goal during his spell with Barrow.

Peter Hawkridge

Error, Edward Eveleigh signed for Barrow during the summer of 1909 and not 1910.

Otherwise all other information is correct.

Paul Farley

There is an Eveleigh who was a goalkeeper who made his debut against Worcester City for Exeter City reserves on the 3rd of May 1952. This may fit with the information you sent. Can you contact the club who can pass on your E-mail. 

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