Bellotti, Ross
Birth Date
Birthplace
Occupation
Biographical Text
Ross Bellotti, son of a well-known professional goalkeeper of the 1960s and 1970s, became Exeter City’s youngest-ever Football League ‘keeper when he made his debut at the age of sixteen in 1994. After injuries and just two more first-team games for the Grecians, Ross began a long involvement in South Devon football as player, manager and committee member most notably with Newton Abbot Spurs. He also took over the family printing business, long-time publishers of the Exeter City programme.
Son of Derek Belloti (Bedford Town, Gillingham, Southend United, Charlton Athletic, Swansea City and Torquay United), Ross maintained the family tradition when he signed as an apprentice ‘keeper for Exeter City in 1994.
After just a few months, with first-choice Andy Woodman receiving a red card against Scarborough on 26 November 1994, Ross came off the bench to become City’s youngest-ever Football League goalkeeper at the age of 16 years, 6 months and 11 days. Amazingly Woodman was sent off again in the FA Cup against Colchester United the following Saturday so that Ross then became the club’s youngest-ever FA Cup goalkeeper. He kept his place in the side for the following week’s league match at Bury with a clean sheet in a goalless draw.
Ross then suffered a badly broken leg in training which effectively ended his senior career and - predominantly playing in the Western, Devon and SW Peninsula leagues - continued for a variety of clubs including Crediton United, Ilfracombe Town, Elmore, Dartmouth United and Buckland Athletic. He also enjoyed a long association with Newton Abbot Spurs where over time Ross became first-team manager and, as of 2022/23, both joint-manager and chair of the club.
In business Ross was to take over from his father as managing director of Kingfisher Print and Design, based in Totnes, longtime publishers of the Exeter City match programme as well as Aidan Hamilton’s "Have you ever played Brazil?". Former Grecian player Anthony Thirby was also involved in the enterprise for a while.
Appearances
1
Comments