Ernest Rixon Phythian (16 July 1942 – 3 August 2020) was an English professional footballer who played as a striker. Active between 1960 and 1968, Phythian made over 250 appearances in the Football League, scoring nearly 100 goals.

Ernie Phythian
Personal information
Full name Ernest Rixon Phythian[1]
Date of birth (1942-07-16)16 July 1942
Place of birth Farnworth, England
Date of death 3 August 2020(2020-08-03) (aged 78)
Place of death Johannesburg, South Africa
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1960–1961 Bolton Wanderers 10 (3)
1962–1965 Wrexham 134 (44)
1965–1968 Hartlepools United 124 (51)
Southern Suburbs
Total 268 (98)
International career
England Youth
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early and personal life

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Born in Farnworth, Phythian was related to footballer Jimmy Seddon and referee Ken Seddon.[2]

Career

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As a child he captained Farnworth Schoolboys and played for Lancashire Schoolboys.[2] He also played cricket for North of England Schools and for various clubs around Bolton.[2]

He began his career with Bolton Wanderers as an amateur at the age of 15, initially combining his football career with work as an apprentice toolmaker.[2] He made his first-team debut in 1960, aged 17.[2]

He later played for Wrexham and Hartlepools United before moving to South Africa to play with Southern Suburbs.[1][3]

He was also an England Youth international.[1]

Later life and death

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He died on 3 August 2020, aged 78, in Johannesburg, South Africa.[2][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ernie Phythian". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Tributes paid to former Wanderer Ernie Phythian who has died aged 78". The Bolton News.
  3. ^ Ernie Phythian at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
  4. ^ "Ernie Phythian: Ex-Wrexham, Hartlepool United and Bolton striker dies". BBC Sport. 12 August 2020.