Rigby, Jimmy

Birth Date

2nd November 1883

Birthplace

Bolton, Lancashire

Occupation

Half-Back

Biographical Text

Jimmy Rigby was a significant figure in the annals of Exeter City either side of World War One. Arriving from Accrington Stanley in 1911 to play in the Southern League for the Grecians he played through until the suspension of football in 1915. Returning after the war he remained at St James’ Park for the first three seasons in the Football League between 1920 and 1923. He took part in the 1914 tour to Argentina and Brazil.

Jimmy started his career with a local Bolton side, St Mark’s before moving into senior football with Atherton in the Lancashire Combination. Signing professional forms with Accrington Stanley in 1905, he continued to work as a cotton spinner in the Textile industry and played in the Stanley side that won the Lancashire Combination and the Lancashire Cup.

Moving to Exeter City in the summer of 1911, Jimmy made his Southern League debut against Bristol Rovers in October 1911. This was to be the start of a long and successful stay with Exeter which included being a member of the squad that toured South America in 1914. He continued his playing career with the Grecians after the First World War so that, of his 217 league appearances for the club, the final sixty were in the Football League between 1920 and 1923.

After retiring from football Jimmy continued to live in Exeter, and running a successful tobacconist business, became a director of Exeter City for many years.

Jimmy Rigby died in 1967.