GoS: Player Details

JOHN LEIPER

Born: 26 June 1938

Came from: Aberdeen East End Went to: Chelmsford City

First game: 15 April 1961 Last game: 27 March 1967

Appearances: 82 (82/0) Goals: 0

Aberdeen-born Leiper was a goalkeeper, signed by Argyle from a junior side in his home town, Aberdeen East End, for whom he played between 1957 and 1961.

Reputedly, he suffered pre-match nerves quite badly, but nevertheless, he signed at Home Park under the joint stewardship of Neil Dougall and George Taylor in the summer of 1961, and went on to spend seven seasons at the club, primarily as a back-up.

He did become first choice during the 1965-66 campaign, but was involuntarily involved in a real impasse at the club when his non-selection by Malcolm Allison in Easter 1965 was overruled by the board. Leiper played over Noel Dwyer, but ultimately the fiasco sparked manager Malcolm Allison's resignation. By the next match, Dwyer was back in goal, but it was not enough for Allison and the Board's relationship to be reconciled and Allison left the club.

Leiper remained and continued to be selected under Derek Ufton. In total, he played 82 times in green across his seven seasons. In April 1965, in a South Western League match for Argyle reserves against Truro City, he took a penalty when Argyle were leading Truro 8-0 and shot 'shockingly wide', as was reported. However, it must have started something, as in the reserve team's next home game five days later, another Argyle goalkeeper, Frank Shipley, did score!

He left Argyle at the end of the 1966-67 season and moved to Southern League side Chelmsford City, winning the championship in his first season. He stayed for three seasons until 1969-70.

Despite his Aberdeen roots, it was to Plymouth he returned after his footballing days were over. He first played locally for Plymouth City in the Western League before moving to Bodmin Town in the South Western League.

Having retired from the game by the mid-1970s, he went to university and became a Probation Officer. He remained living and working in his adopted city, even becoming a season-ticket holder at Home Park, and has been a matchday guest of Forever Green's as he embraces life in Devon as an octogenarian.

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From Stan Gordon in Orpington, Kent on 12/12/2014 ...

Dear Sir,

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss John.

We were school friends in the 40s/50s. He lived in Causeway End above "The Stags Head" bar where his father worked.

We lost touch when he moved to Plymouth and I joined the Merchant Navy.

I did hear that he worked for Plymouth Council but I'm not sure.

I do hope that John and his family are well.

Many thanks,

Stan Gordon

APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]

The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.