JOHN BRIMACOMBE

Full Name: John Frederick Brimacombe

Born: 25 November 1958

Came from: Saltash United   Went to: Retired

First game: 18 January 1986   Last game: 07 March 1990

Appearances: 113 (106/7)   Goals: 3

Born in Plymouth, Brimacombe's route to professional football was rare in the modern game: he was plucked from a day job in Devonport Dockyard to make his Football League debut at the relatively late age of 27. However, it was also a case of 'second time lucky'.

He had been a stalwart of the local non-league scene for many years, playing for Saltash United in the Western League while working in the Dockyard. He had originally signed for the Ashes in October 1977 after a spell with Bideford. He had also played for Liskeard Athletic.

He attended school in Whitleigh and played for Plymouth Schools' under-11s at just eight years old, remaining captain for the next three years. He continued to develop through the age groups, from under-13 to under-17, in the Plymouth Youth Committee League.

At the age of 17, he had played for Argyle's youth side in 1975. While playing for the Dockyard Apprentices' team, he was also part of the side that reached a Wembley final in a national five-a-side competition. Into his late teens, he continued to play regularly for Saltash while combining football with his apprenticeship in the Dockyard.

Almost a decade after his earlier association with Argyle, he was signed by the club in 1985 under Dave Smith, moving into the professional ranks relatively late. Initially playing as a defender, his Football League debut against York City was one to remember: he scored a memorable 'corker' in a 2-2 home draw in January 1986, although it proved to be his only appearance that season.

He enjoyed his best spell after succeeding Gordon Nisbet as the club's first-choice right-back, becoming a near ever-present during the 1987-88 campaign. However, the emergence of Kenny Brown the following season saw him move into midfield. He was also troubled by injury, which made his appearances increasingly sporadic.

In total, he spent four years at Home Park, playing under three managers - Smith, Ken Brown and David Kemp - clocking up over a century of appearances. He played 113 times for the club, scoring three goals.

He suffered a nasty ankle ligament injury in an away game against Sunderland at Roker Park in November 1989.

Having apparently recovered, he returned for the home game against Sunderland in March 1990. Still seemingly troubled by the injury, he made one final appearance as a substitute away against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground four days later. Continuing problems meant he missed the start of the following season, having undergone exploratory surgery the previous summer. He subsequently decided to quit the full-time game early in the 1990-91 season, whereupon he was released and effectively retired.

He did, however, play one match for Tavistock in a pre-season friendly against Aldershot, enabling him to face former team-mate Leigh Cooper, who was in the Shots' side.

Returning to working life, he also ran football courses in the mid-1990s under the name 'Soccer Wise', a 12-week programme for local children aged 8-12.

Having remained in the local area, he has maintained some involvement with the club through Forever Green, the former players' association, and has been a match-day guest at Home Park.