James 'Fred' Liddle played for Exeter City between 1937 and 1939. Having earlier been a regular starter for Gillingham, he joined the Grecians from Coventry City. Approaching thirty-five on the outbreak of war he retired from professional football upon leaving St James’ Park. 

Fred appeared for Durham side Crawcrook Albion before getting his senior opportunity with Queen’s Park Rangers in 1927. Not featuring for the first-team, he linked up with Huddersfield Town where he only played reserve team football until a switch to Rotherham United in 1929. Having nine league outings for his new club, Fred had a spell back at Crawcrook Albion before having a year as a reserve team player on the books of Newcastle United. 

Fred’s break as a first-team player came when he signed for Gillingham in 1932 where he made 81 league appearances scoring on 18 occasions prior to a three-year stay with Coventry City between 1934 and 1937. 

Arriving at St James’ Park in the summer of 1937, Fred made his Exeter City debut in the opening day fixture at Newport County. Netting 8 goals in 28 starts during his first season for the Grecians - including two against former club Gillingham in September 1937 - Fred scored just once in fifteen league appearances during the following campaign and was released just a few months before the outbreak of war.

Returning to the North East, Fred went into business and died on North Tyneside in November 1975.