'Ron' Gingell, a Bristolian, was a professional with Exeter City during the first official season after World War Two although he never made a first-team appearance. He later went into non-league management before becoming chief scout and caretaker manager of Bristol Rovers.

Ron, born Claude Samuel Gingell, was twenty-six when he arrived at Exeter City and in his solitary season at St James’ Park played for the reserves in the Southern League. Reported to have turned out for Chelsea, Liverpool and Bury as a wartime guest player, he left City to play for Cheltenham Town before eventually going into management with Minehead between 1959 and 1972. 

After a stint with Taunton Town, who he took to second-place in the Western League each season between 1972/73 and 1975/76, he became chief scout of Bristol Rovers, Subsequently with the departure of future Exeter City boss Terry Cooper, who had been player-manager at Eastville, Ron became Rovers’ caretaker-manager at the age of sixty-one.

He died seven years later.