Sanders, James

Birth Date

15th August 1932

Birthplace

Marlborough, Wiltshire

Occupation

Half-Back

Biographical Text

Jim Sanders, formerly with Crystal Palace, had been playing for Cheltenham Town when he arrived to play twenty league games for Exeter City during the early 1960s. He was known for his association with travelling fairs and has a statue in Arnos Vale cemetery in Bristol.

Often combining playing with working on 'showmen’s fairs',  his first club was Bristol City where he signed professional in November 1951. Not making the first team he moved on to sign for Crystal Palace in March 1955 where he appeared in 46 league games until he left the club to link up with Rochdale in 1959 and then Cheltenham Town.

It was from Cheltenham that Exeter City signed the then 29-year-old in August 1962 although he had been on trial with the Grecians the previous year. He made his debut in a 3-0 home defeat against Mansfield Town in the same month. His contract was cancelled by City in April 1963 as the Grecians were unable to give him a club house to relocate his wife and three children who were living in Bristol. 

James, who died in May 2007, is buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery on the Bath Road, Bristol where there is a sculptured footballer dedicated to him.

Appearances

21

Goals

1

Files

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