1958 Rackley, Bobby
Birthplace
Teignmouth, Devon 1940
Biographical Text
Bobby Rackley from Teignmouth gave up an engineering apprenticeship to sign professionally for Exeter City in 1958. Never making an official first-team appearance for the Grecians, he later scored against his former club when playing for Oldham Athletic.
Formerly with Teignmouth and Newton Abbot Spurs, he made 'A' team and reserve appearances for City and also played - and scored - in the 6-3 'exhibition game' win over Plymouth Argyle watched by a 3,000 crowd at Falmouth Town in May 1959: https://grecianarchive.exeter.ac.uk/items/show/11968.
Additionally he appeared in both of that season's Devon Professional Championship games against Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United when the competition was contested by reserve teams (with Bobby having the distinction of scoring against Torquay in the final).
After remaining at the club for a couple of seasons, Bobby spent time on Bristol Rovers' books before joining Oldham Athletic where he made nineteen Football League appearances scoring on five occasions (with one of his strikes coming in the 5-2 victory over the Grecians in October 1960). Thereafter he had a spell with Halifax Town, without breaking into the first team, ahead of returning closer to home to see out his career with Bridgwater Town and Trowbridge Town.
Bobby - by now in his mid-eighties and living in Dawlish - paid his first return visit to St James' Park in sixty-five years in September 2025 when he toured the ground and spent time in the museum on the day of the home game against Huddersfield Town (see pictures).
Formerly with Teignmouth and Newton Abbot Spurs, he made 'A' team and reserve appearances for City and also played - and scored - in the 6-3 'exhibition game' win over Plymouth Argyle watched by a 3,000 crowd at Falmouth Town in May 1959: https://grecianarchive.exeter.ac.uk/items/show/11968.
Additionally he appeared in both of that season's Devon Professional Championship games against Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United when the competition was contested by reserve teams (with Bobby having the distinction of scoring against Torquay in the final).
After remaining at the club for a couple of seasons, Bobby spent time on Bristol Rovers' books before joining Oldham Athletic where he made nineteen Football League appearances scoring on five occasions (with one of his strikes coming in the 5-2 victory over the Grecians in October 1960). Thereafter he had a spell with Halifax Town, without breaking into the first team, ahead of returning closer to home to see out his career with Bridgwater Town and Trowbridge Town.
Bobby - by now in his mid-eighties and living in Dawlish - paid his first return visit to St James' Park in sixty-five years in September 2025 when he toured the ground and spent time in the museum on the day of the home game against Huddersfield Town (see pictures).
Collection
Files
Comments
Malcolm Tipper
I have written an article on the history of Bob Rackley's football career. This was published in the Journal of the Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum. If I haven't already sent you a copy would you like one for the archive.
Malcolm
Gemma Elkins
Hi Malcolm,
I am Bob Rackley's daughter Gemma.
My brother Gavin had the booklet that you wrote the article of dad in the museum Journel.
Dad is now residing at Claremont Manor care home in Dawlish, We have searched high and low to find the booklet, but to no avail! It must be here somewhere for safe keeping.
Would you happen to have a spare please even to borrow to show the staff and residents in the care home.
Kind regards
Gemma
Paul Farley
Yes please. Can you send to the Football Club for museum collection
Nick House
Martin Weiler chatted to Bobby when he attended the Huddersfield game in September 2025 and, on hearing that Bobby had scored for Oldham against City in the Football League, investigated the circumstances of that game. Not only was former Grecian Brian Birch appearing for the Lancashire club that day but the Latics were also giving a debut to Bobby Johnstone (Hibernian, Manchester City and Scotland) which explains the remarkable 17,000 crowd. Johnstone, for his part, scored one of the goals and gave something of a 'virtuoso performance' (see Grecian Archive match report)
Also, shortly after Bobby's entry was updated on the archive there was discussion about his time with Oldham on the OAFC Message Board