*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Bobby Ford
Appearances: 3 Goals: 0
Date / Year of birth: 27th February 1954
Position: Midfielder
Season of first appearance: 1971/72
Season of last appearance: 1971/72
Also played for: Rye United, Nottingham Forest (0), Bexhill Town, Brisbane Lions (Australia), Grange Thistle (Australia) and Bundaberg (Australia)
Skilful Hastings-born midfielder who began his career with Sussex County League club Rye as a 15 year-old in 1969 and also played for Hastings League side Travaux at that time.
Bobby was then spotted by Nottingham Forest and had extensive trials with the club before being signed as an apprentice. He was released by Forest early in 1972 and returned to Sussex to play for Bexhill.
In March 1972 Bobby's good friend Kevin Barry encouraged him to join Margate on trial as he felt that he should be playing at a higher standard. Bobby made his debut in a 3-0 Kent Floodlight Cup defeat at Folkestone on 15.3.72 and according to the local press made a "favourable impression". He played twice more for Margate, in Floodlight Cup ties away at Canterbury on 21.3.72 and Dover on 12.4.72, but Bobby was then released. He had found the twice-weekly four hour round-trip from Hastings excessive and decided to return to Bexhill.
His next move took him to Australia, Bobby joined Brisbane Lions on a two-year contract and the club won their league in both of the seasons he was with them.
When he returned to England Bobby rejoined Bexhill and played for Sussex three times in 1976. After nine months he decided to return to Brisbane in 1977 and went on to play for Grange Thistle and Bundaberg in the State League.
In later years Bobby had several coaching positions in Australia and in 2005 he was manager of a club called Slacks Creek. Bobby was also still playing for them, despite being over 50, and said that he was still enjoying his football. At that time he was State Sales Manager for a large brick manufacturer called Boral and Bobby had been with the company for 22 years. He was married with two sons and a daughter and Bobby's youngest son Callum was selected for the Australian Under-16 indoor football team that toured Brazil in 2003.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC | |
|
1971/72 (MFC) |
3 (69) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (9TH OF 22) |
1R |
1R |
SF |
2R |
GR |