Jepson, Arthur – Grantham keeper played for Forest

Arthur Jepson (1915-1997)

BORN in Selston, Nottinghamshire, the former Newark Town and Mansfield Town goalkeeper made his debut fir Grantham FC in the first match of the 1935/36 season at Burton Town.

He then played in every game, bar two Lincolnshire League fixtures, in his first season.

Highlights from that campaign included an FA Cup First Round tie against Notts County, a County Cup Final against Boston United, plus victories in the Grantham Hospital Cup and the Wilson Cup.

The following season Arthur played in another Lincolnshire Senior Cup Final and was then a huge asset to the 1937/38 side that finished as runners-up in the Midland League to Shrewsbury Town.

His last two games for the club came in the Spalding Victory Cup and the traditional Champions versus Runners-Up game at the end of the season.

During his time at London Road Arthur was lodging at The Maltshovels public house in Westgate and for many of his games at least one scout would be watching him from the terraces.

Serious offers came from Notts County and Burnley, but he eventually moved to Port Vale on a free transfer in June 1938.

After serving in the RAF during The War and making guest appearances for Nottingham Forest, a move to First Division Stoke City followed, Stanley Matthews’ side, for a £3,750 fee, £50 of which was sent back to Grantham.

He finished his Football League career at Lincoln City, with a total of 148 senior appearances to his name and went on play for Northwich Victoria, Gloucester City and Hinckley United, where he became their Player/Manager.

Arthur’s career then took him into scouting positions with Coventry City and Middlesbrough, before he returned to management, taking over the helm at Hinckley Athletic in 1963. Other than football, he was a successful member of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and in his later life was also one of the country’s top cricketing umpires, officiating in many top games, including Test Matches between 1960 and 1969.

By all accounts he was considered to be somewhat of a character. In 1971 Arthur was officiating the Gillette Cup semi-final between Lancashire and Gloucestershire, a match which carried on until 8:50pm. A worried Lancashire Captain commented, “It’s getting dark ‘Ump’, there’s the moon”, to which Arthur retorted, “You can see the moon…how bloody far do you want to see!”.

He died at Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Compiled with the assistance of Jon Barnes