Norman Ngwenya arrived on John Newman's doorstep in 1973 asking for a trial.

Norman from Johannesburg, was a South African 1st division player, who had saved the £220 for the return flight and flew the 8000 miles, to ask to train with Exeter City. It was not just by chance as he turned up clutching a letter of introduction from Mike Balson, who was playing in South Africa at the time.

He was 24 at the time and  stayed five weeks, with the hope of picking up hints to take back to South Africa. He was interviewed at the time by the Express and Echo, at the Club digs, huddled by a gas fire with two sweaters on, enduring the Spring weather in Devon. He commented that "he liked it here but the weather is cold and it is Summer in South Africa. 

Norman who was a clerk, at home, saved for the flight costs in two months and obtained a return ticket with the help of the Lions International Organisation. 

Orginally from Zimbabwe, (formerly known as Rhodesia), Norman and his Parents, with two brothers and three sisters moved to South Africa, the only footballer in the family he played for Morroka Swallows. He returned to South Africa after his trail with a promised present for his girlfriend.