17th March 1901

Disley, Cheshire

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Fred Jones made five league appearances for Exeter City during the autumn of 1930 as understudy to Arthur Davies. He had previously been a reserve at Manchester City and later played for Yeovil. 

After playing for Faircroft Main in the Rotherham Junior league - and working in the coal industry - he appeared for Manton Colliery, Firbeck Main and Carlton-in-Lindrick Colliery before signing for Manchester City in 1929. Failing to make the senior side, Exeter City brought him to Devon in the summer of 1930.

Fred received his Football League opportunity when regular keeper Arthur Davies was injured and made his debut against Southend United in October 1930. He played four further league matches for the Grecians during the 1930/31 campaign and, with Davies an ever-present in 1931/32, moved on to Yeovil & Petters United in time for the 1932/33 season.

Fred, who met his wife whilst an Exeter player, died in Somerset in November 1982 aged eighty-one. In common with many other miners from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, he was working underground in the Kent coalfield at the outbreak of war in 1939.

League 5