Albert Aplin, one of St Sidwell’s earliest players, appeared during the 1901/02 season several years before the club became Exeter City in 1904. 

Having joined the new St Sidwell’s United club, that had been formed largely by a group of 16- and 17-year olds who had attended St Sidwell’s school and lived close to the current St James’ Park, he is first recorded as scoring against Newton Abbot GWR Students on 1 March 1902. With records not being complete for that season, he may have played on other occasions before and after that game. He made further appearances in 1902/03.

The 1901 census records Albert Aplin (16) working as a packer and living in Sidwell Street.

Information received from a descendent: 

"There is an Aplin who made one appearance in the first-ever match and disappeared after that. We had an Alfred and an Albert in the family at that time: Alfred was born in 1872 and was a plasterer by trade; Albert was born in 1885 so would have been 19 around 1904. Whether these are the two Aplins in the club's books I am not entirely sure although they lived in St Sidwell's at the time and were both involved initially with St Sidwell's Football Club."

It is understood that, at one time during the St Sidwell's/early Exeter City years, that a Frederick Aplin was captain of the 2nd XI with Albert as vice-captain.

Albert is believed to have died in Exeter in 1958. He is likely to have been Fred Aplin's cousin with the pair being born within a few months of each other in 1884.