1st May 1942

Belfast

Winger

Irish international Eric Welsh signed from Distillery in 1959 and remained with the club until 1965 although he missed all of the 1963/64 promotion season because of injury. Playing just over a hundred league games during his six year stay, he then enjoyed four seasons at Carlisle United and two years with Torquay United. 

One of a number of players that Exeter City signed from Irish League clubs in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he had been playing for Distillery when he moved to St James’ Park in September 1959.

Playing in the last four league matches of the 1959-60 season, he made his debut against Crystal Palace on 18n April 1960. This was the start of a successful time with the Grecians with his best seasons being 1964-65 and 1965-66. Unfortunately he missed the promotion season of 1963-64 due to injury.

He moved to Carlisle United for a fee of £7,500, with Jimmy Blain moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal. Showing good form for the Cumbrians he became a Northern Ireland international winning four caps as well as playing once for the under-23s.

Having made a total of 77 league appearances for Carlisle, scoring 20 goals, he returned to Devon to sign for Torquay United in June 1969 and in two seasons added a  further 39 league games (scoring 11 goals). His final Football League club was Hartlepool United in July 1971 where he featured in 15 league games netting two goals. He then played for a number of clubs in South Africa before having another spell in Belfast with Distillery then managed by his brother Ray.

On his return visits to St James' Park, Eric attended the supporters' trust former players reunion in January 2019 as well as several Senior Reds events.

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