Ebdon, Dick
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Biographical Text
Dick ‘Digger’ Ebdon, from Ottery St Mary, scored fifty Football League goals in 138 league games for Exeter City either side of the Second World War. Making his debut as a 22-year-old in 1935, he made his final appearance in 1948 before playing a handful of games for Torquay United.
Whilst playing for Ottery St Mary he had attracted the attention of Plymouth Argyle but soon joined Exeter on trial playing for the reserves against Torquay United Reserves in January 1935. After scoring ten times for the reserves, with another seven goals in friendlies, he made his Football League debut for the Grecians whilst still an amateur when lining up against Coventry City at St James’ Park in September 1935.
It was another three months before he signed his first professional contract and, after scoring nine goals in his first season, somewhat faded from the scene before scoring on a dozen occasions in 1938/39. With a career interrupted by war, he eventually returned to action for City in the 1944/45 and 1945/46 'war time' seasons before the resumption of official league football in 1946/47 when he hit 16 goals in just 29 starts.
After a joint benefit match with Jack Angus in March 1948, when Exeter City faced Plymouth Argyle, he was released at the end of the 1947/48 season aged thirty-five. Declining an offer to join Yeovil Town, he opted for Torquay United but only played five games scoring just once. He then returned to playing with Ottery St Mary where he continued to turn out until well into his forties.
Richard "Digger" Ebdon died in the Honiton area in April 1987.
Comments
Leo
richard"dick"digger"was my great great grandad,iwish i could of atl east seen him personally.it burns your heart not being able to see your grandad that was a legend.my mind swells about thinking what a great man he probally was.my eyes tear from looking at the picture for to long,only seeing him from a old gold picture.
By the great great grandson Leo Jones want any more info.try contact me i would give my number but not to thee world.
Julie Perham
Richard Ebdon's father was my Great Grand Mothers cousin. She was Alma Rebecca Ebdon who came to Australia following her marriage to George Fox Ellis. Would love to have contact with extended family.
Julie Perham
Roger Giles
I live in Ottery St Mary. I knew Richard and his father Harry in the 1960s. Richard's grandfather William Henry Anstis (died 1953) was my grandfather's uncle.
Paul Farley
Contact Exeter City and they will pass on the information