Fred Davey from Crediton was twenty-two when he joined Exeter City as an amateur in 1946. Soon signing professional, he made the first of his 276 league appearances for the Grecians on Boxing Day 1947 and played through until 1956. His career briefly overlapped with Keith Harvey, also from Crediton, who played over 500 league and cup games for the club.  

Fred joined the Grecians on a professional contract in August 1947 having played for the reserves as an amateur during the 1946/47 season. He had previously been a member of the Combined Services team in Germany during the War and it was reported that Nottingham Forest were also keen to sign him.

He made his Football League debut on Boxing Day 1947 against Bristol City and soon became a regular only missing four games in total during the 1950-51 and 1951-52 seasons.

Amongst his FA Cup appearances for City were the FA Cup 4th round defeat at Liverpool in January 1950 and the 4th round replay at Chelsea in January 1951. Later in his Grecians' career, Fred had a joint benefit match with Angus Mackay in April 1953 followed by another in April 1954. 

Often playing alongside Keith Harvey, also from Crediton, during his final two seasons Fred surpassed thirty league appearances in seven consecutive seasons before signing for Bridgwater Town in July 1956. He subsequently played for Crediton United before joining the club’s committee. 

Fred Davey died in 2000 aged seventy-six.