Ernest Sebborn

Ernest Sebborn started playing water polo for Southampton Amateur Swimming Club in 1927, and after making his Hampshire début two years later, became a regular in the County side. A free-scoring forward, he helped Southampton beat HMS Victory to win the 1930 Hampshire title for the first time since 1919. They retained the title in 1931 and 1932 but the following year, when Sebborn had been appointed club captain, their successful run ended in the semi-final when beaten by the HMS Victory naval men.

A schoolteacher, Sebborn later played with Southampton County Borough and won another Hampshire title in 1936. He became honorary secretary of the Borough club and in 1948 was elected president of the Hampshire County ASA, and was later the Association’s treasurer. Also in 1948, Sebborn officiated as a goal judge in one game (Argentina v. Greece) at the London Olympics.