Connections and contributions
One of the most exciting things about this project has been to meet people who have a family connection to those who went on the 1914 tour, either as players or directors of Exeter City FC. We were extremely fortunate to be contacted in the early stages of the project by Alison Styles, a relative of Jimmy Rigby. She had got in touch with the club to find out whether they had any information which could help her with her genealogical research, and her nephew Christopher with a school project. While we had a few team images, we didn’t know nearly as much information as Alison was able to tell us! Using her fantastic history-detective skills, she’s also been able to track down information about the other players who went on the tour, with lots of interesting stories and contextual information.
This selection of images from Alison’s research show Jimmy Rigby at different stages of his life. After his playing career was over, Jimmy became a director of Exeter City as well as running a shop near St James’ Park.
Thanks to Alison’s research we know that the players who went on the tour were: Dick ‘Pincher’ Pym, Reg Loram, Jack Fort, Sam Strettle, Gus Harding, Jimmy Rigby, Charlie Pratt, Jimmy Lagan, Fred Marshall, Billy Smith, Harry Holt, Fred Whittaker, William Hunter, William Lovett, and Fred Goodwin. They were accompanied by directors George Middleweek and his wife Florence, Fred Parkhouse and his wife Annie and Michael McGahey.
Martin McGahey with photos of his great-grandfather, Michael John McGahey, former director of Exeter City FC.
This week I also had the opportunity to meet with Martin McGahey, the current owner of McGahey’s Tobacconists on Exeter High Street, and the great-grandson of Michael John McGahey, former director of Exeter City and a well-known solicitor with the firm of Dunn & Baker. Martin was kind enough to share stories and documents related to his great-grandfather’s history with the club, which will be excellent material for the exhibition and the accompanying website.
Michael John McGahey, former director of Exeter City FC
Michael McGahey accompanied the Exeter City players to South America as their manager, Arthur Chadwick, was unwell and not able to take on the journey. As the Brazil games were not planned before the tour began, it would have been McGahey and the other directors who were responsible for agreeing to play extra matches in Rio de Janeiro on the return leg of the trip.
Do you have a connection to the Exeter City team of 1914? I’m currently starting to work on organising the photographs and objects which will appear in the exhibition. If any readers know of any pictures, documents, personal letters or mementoes from South America that we might not be aware of I’d love to hear from you.
Exeter City FC HLF Exhibition Progress Blog 