Former Chester forward Eric Davis, died recently at the age of 75. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

A powerfully built centre forward Eric Davis was born in Stonehouse, Devon and joined Plymouth Argyle from non-league Tavistock.

After five years at Home Park, Eric signed for Scunthorpe United for £2,000 and played a major role in their promotion to Division Two with an impressive 17 goals in 23 games. Among these goals was a late headed winner against Chester in April that clinched Scunthorpe’s first ever Championship.

Eric found goals harder to come by in the higher division and in February 1959 was allowed to join Chester where he proved to be John Harris’ final signing. Despite only arriving at the ground ten minutes before kick, off Eric made an instant impact at Sealand Road by scoring a perfect last minute header in a 2-0 victory over Bradford Park Avenue.

In 1959/60 he found the back of the net in three of the first four games but lost his place in the side when Stan Pearson signed Walter Kelly from Stockport County in late September. Eric was released in the summer and joined Oldham Athletic on a one months trial but turned down the opportunity of signing for them because of business commitments.

Football League record

August 1952 – July 1957 Plymouth Argyle 63 appearances, 29 goals
July 1957 – Feb 1959 Scunthorpe United 40 appearances, 20 goals
February 1959 – September 1960 Chester 31 appearances, 11 goals
September 1960 – October 1960 Oldham Athletic 2 appearances, 1 goal

First Chester game – v Bradford Park Avenue (h) Feb 14 1959
Last Chester game – v Rochdale (h) Mar 19 1960

Chas Sumner [24/7/07]