1922 England, Jack
Birth Date
16th March 1897
Birthplace
Evershot, Dorset
Biographical Text
Jack England, a goalkeeper from Taunton, appeared for Exeter City Reserves in the Southern League in 1922/23. A former navy man, he also played for Somerset in inter-county amateur football.
Reported as having been given a trial by Okehampton for the midweek friendly against Exeter City Reserves on 25 October 1922, the fullness of time hints that Jack may have appeared by arrangement with City because, after impressing against the likes of Harold 'Jazzo' Kirk, he lined up for City's reserves against Coventry City on the following Saturday and retained his place for the trip to Norwich City a week later.
Nothing was heard of him as a City player afterwards and City signed Syd Pavey - somewhat ironically a goalkeeper from the Newton's and Taunton club - on professional terms a few weeks later.
Jack's grandson, contacting the Grecian Archive in 2022, relates that his grandfather changed his name to 'Jack England' at some stage before 1922 having been born Egerton Archie Bishop in rural Dorset in 1897. Already in Taunton at the time of the 1901 census, he became a bare-knuckle fighter who took on boxers from travelling fairs. He then served in the Royal Navy during the First World War.
His naval records show his birth name, as is the case for his 1927 marriage in Bideford, although his death in the North Devon town in 1981 was under the name 'Jack England'.
Reported as having been given a trial by Okehampton for the midweek friendly against Exeter City Reserves on 25 October 1922, the fullness of time hints that Jack may have appeared by arrangement with City because, after impressing against the likes of Harold 'Jazzo' Kirk, he lined up for City's reserves against Coventry City on the following Saturday and retained his place for the trip to Norwich City a week later.
Nothing was heard of him as a City player afterwards and City signed Syd Pavey - somewhat ironically a goalkeeper from the Newton's and Taunton club - on professional terms a few weeks later.
Jack's grandson, contacting the Grecian Archive in 2022, relates that his grandfather changed his name to 'Jack England' at some stage before 1922 having been born Egerton Archie Bishop in rural Dorset in 1897. Already in Taunton at the time of the 1901 census, he became a bare-knuckle fighter who took on boxers from travelling fairs. He then served in the Royal Navy during the First World War.
His naval records show his birth name, as is the case for his 1927 marriage in Bideford, although his death in the North Devon town in 1981 was under the name 'Jack England'.
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Comments
Kevin Summers
This player's name was 'Jack England', he was my grandad - he desserted from the Navy during WW1, and changed his name from Egerton Archibald Bishop!
Kevin Summers
Paul, do you mean about desserting from the Navy, or playing for Taunton & Exeter? Unfortunately there is no documentation about desserting the navy (and also the army) other than on his records saying 'ran', and also a newspaper cutting from when my grandad appeared in court and denied this! I haven't got any photo's of my grandad playing for Taunton or Exeter unfortunately. I know that my Grandad played in goal for Bowden Green when he retired and was in his 70's!
Kevin Summers
Not really sure how I add photo's on here Paul?
Jon Bishop
Wow, a long lost cousin! "Jack" England was my uncle. Originally from Reading, he had 9 brothers and a sister. One of which was my dad John "Jack" Bishop.Would love Kevin to contact me.
Paul Farley
Kevin do you have more details and any documentation that confirms the story? and any more information about your grandad
Paul Farley
Any photo would be good Kevin!
Paul Farley
Can you send to reception@ecfc.co.uk and say for my attention. That would be great!