The latest inductee in our new series of local sporting heroes is the amazing Frank Symington.
Frank arrived in the town in 1941, aged 10, quickly joining and representing Sidmouth Boxing Club as a junior. It wasn't long before Frank was also playing for Sidmouth Tennis Club and as goalkeeper for Sidmouth Town Football Club.
After three years in the RAF, where he took up Judo, Frank returned to Sidmouth and added rugby and cricket to his sporting repertoire, captaining the Sidmouth second eleven during the 1962 and 1963 seasons.
Frank represented the town for over four decades, finally retiring in the 1970s. Not content with hanging up his boots, Frank came out of retirement in the early 1990s, and in his mid 60s, played a few cricket matches alongside his son for Sidbury. Frank played his last match on the Fortfield for a charity event in 2006, aged 75.
In later years he served on the committee of Sidmouth Rugby Football Club and was a keen spectator, whether it was Blackmore, Manstone Lane or at the Fortfield, Frank rarely missed an opportunity and was still attending matches until shortly before he passed away in his 91st year in 2021.
Send your sporting heroes to tim.herbert@newsquest.co.uk
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