Ernie Duncan

Spotted by Ernie Gault, the ex-Everton forward and Southport scout, keeping goal for Orrell in the I Zingari League, Duncan first turned out for Southport Reserves at the end of 1934—35. Starting the 1935—36 season as the regular Reserve goalkeeper, he displaced Ted Adams for the Northern Section Cup-tie against New Brighton and kept his place for the next six League games, though the experienced Adams was recalled for the Chesterfield F.A. Cup-tie. Duncan finally lost his place following a slipshod performance against Stockport County — when it was reported that he ought to have saved at least two of County’s three goals — although he also appeared in two Lancashire Senior Cup-ties and one Liverpool Senior Cup-tie. An unorthodox loose-limbed and rangy ‘keeper, he had huge hands and kept up a running commentary with the spectators behind the goal when not otherwise involved. A stevedore all his working life and a heavy smoker, he died of chest cancer while living on a caravan site in Pembrokeshire. He was a bachelor all his life.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9