Eric Gill was born in Camden in 1930. He joined Charlton Athletic in 1948 at the age of 17, but was unable to dislodge Sam Bertram from the first team, and appeared only once.
During his National Service with the Royal Army Ordnance Corp, Eric played Army football, and was spotted by Brighton & Hove Albion manager Billy Lane, who signed him for a £400 fee. He soon established himself in the team, and set a club record of 247 consecutive senior appearances between February 1953 and February 1958. The run, equalling the Football League record for goalkeeping appearances set by Tottenham Hotspur’s Ted Ditchburn, was only ended by an attack of influenza.
Eric kept goal for the Brighton team that won the 1957-58 Third Division South title and remained with the club for another two seasons, by which time Dave Hollins had taken over first-team duties.
He then made another 225 appearances in the Southern League for Guildford City.
Eric made 296 appearances for the Seagulls between 1952 and 1960.