Frederick Ekins

Frederick George Ekins Date of Birth: Sep 27, 1871

Born in New Brompton, Kent in 1871, George was playing on the wing for Chatham when he was asked to join Derby as a professional. He took his time making up his mind but joined in 1891 where he was a reasonable success but more so at Burton Swifts where he came to the attention of the up and coming Luton Town.

In an end of season friendly at Luton in 1895, where he scored one of the goals for Burton in a 3-2 win, he was approached by the Town and agreed to sign.

A classy and intelligent winger with a unique body swerve he won a United League champions medal in his first season and scored the Town’s first goal in the Football League in the next.

He was badly injured in a game against Grimsby in December 1897 and was out for the remainder of that season but on his return he was not quite the same player and decided to retire in 1899.

George worked for Barford Brothers in Luton for 40 years and passed away in the town in 1960.