Jack Rigby

Jack Rigby (1924–1997) was a footballer who played as a centre half in the Football League for Manchester City.

His made a single appearance as a last-minute replacement for Les McDowall in the 1946-47 season, in a two nill loss at home to Newcastle in the Football League Second Division.

He failed to make an appearance in the 1947/48 and 1948/49 seasons.

Rigby played six times in the 1949/50 season, replacing Billy Walsh on several occasions.

With Joe Fagan sustaining an injury he would never recover fully from and Bert Sproston retiring, Rigby used his chance to break into the first team and played 37 league matches. He caused a penalty by handball away against Doncaster, one of the goals that helped Doncaster come back from 3:0 down to win the match 4:3. Fagan had briefly come back from injury, but broke his leg in early 1951.

He also played with the England reserve national team in November 1951, while the first and reserve team where training at Maine Road, and two local players were needed to complete the teams.

In the 1951/52 season Rigby continued to be a starter and even played in the famed friendly against River Plate, the first Argentinian win on British soil. He ended up making 40 appearances that season, 2 of which were in the FA Cup. He also played in the clubs Spanish tour that season.

The 1952/53 season was his final season for the club. He played 18 times.

Supposedly there was a testimonial match held for him, the proceeds of which he used to buy a small shop.