Hoyle, Herbert

Birth Date

22nd April 1920

Birthplace

Baildon, West Yorkshire.

Occupation

Goalkeeper

Biographical Text

Bert Hoyle played for Exeter City during the late 1940s and tended to share goalkeeping responsibilities with Barney Singleton. He joined the club from Wolves and later played for Bristol Rovers where he made over a hundred appearances.

He had made a big reputation for himself in Army football during the War, but was unable to break into the Wolverhampton Wanderers first team, and moved to the Grecians in August 1946. 

Sharing the goalkeeping position with Barney Singleton throughout his stay at St James’ Park, Hoyle made his Exeter debut in a 1-1 draw at home to Torquay United in August 1946. His best season with City in terms of appearances came in 1948-49 when he made 40 league outings.

Hoyle moved to Bristol Rovers in May 1950 for a fee of £350 where he went on to play in 105 league matches. He was involved in a car crash whilst travelling from Bristol back to Exeter in February 1953, the vehicle being driven by another former Grecian and Bristol Rovers player Ken Powell. Hoyle sustained a fractured skull after being flung from the car. This left him with defective vision in his right eye and he retired from playing in June 1953.

He made a playing comeback in December 1956 when he signed amateur forms for Dawlish Town and by 1959 was working as a scout for Bristol Rovers before taking on a similar role for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Hoyle was the landlord at the Ship Inn, Cockwood, which he took over in the summer of 1952, and at times helped with training at Starcross the club closest to his pub.

Bert died in Dawlish on 6 July 2003 aged 83.

Appearances

82

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