George Ephgrave

George Arthur Ephgrave (29 April 1918 – 12 December 2004) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Born in Reading, Ephgrave began his professional career with Aston Villa in 1936, and later played for a number of Football League clubs including Southampton and Norwich City before retiring from professional football in 1954.

Born in Reading but brought up in Guernsey, George Ephgrave began his youth football career with local side Guernsey Rangers, and was later signed by Tottenham Hotspur feeder club Northfleet in October 1935. A year later, Ephgrave signed a professional contract with recently relegated Second Division side Aston Villa, although he failed to make a single appearance in his three seasons at the club.

In March 1939, at the end of the last full season before the Second World War, the goalkeeper signed for Swindon Town, where he made his first appearance in the Football League. During the conflicts Ephgrave served his country, resulting in him being captured and held as a prisoner of war in Odessa, Ukraine for four years, but on his return to England he was signed by Southampton, where he was used as the first-choice goalkeeper for the first season after the war. In the 1946–47 season he played in 29 of the 42 Second Division league games, as well as in both of the FA Cup games the Saints played, although in the following season he was second choice to Len Stansbridge and, later, Ian Black, making only seven league appearances in the first half of the campaign.

In July 1948 Ephgrave moved to Norwich City for a transfer fee of £500, where he made just five appearances in three seasons. He was later transferred to Watford in August 1951, playing just four times in his only season at the club, and ended his career with seasons at non-league sides Deal Town and March Town.

After his retirement, Ephgrave moved back to Guernsey, and he died on 12 December 2004 at the age of 86.