ADVANCEMENT OF SOCCER IN EAST DEVON

Although nothing wonderful is to be noticed in this season's record of the East Devon clubs, except perhaps in the example of Friernhay, who have finished their junior days with a remarkable Junior League success, there have been many features for gratif ication and renewed hope for the future. For one thing, the progress of the Association game has been more sure than ever before, and the season has closed with any number of ambitious schemes on hand. It has not been a case of any one club making a sudden leap forward, but rather a case of progress all round. It is true that East Devon has lost the old Brigade at Tops ham Barracks, but its place has been taken by a new and just as enthusiastic Brigade of Batteries, and it may be that next season the newcomers will be fighting in the Plymouth League as well as in the East Devon League.

FORMATION OF TWO SECTIONS.

Both these organisations will have a widened scope of influ ence next year. There is talk of enough new clubs entering the Plymouth League to justify the formation of two sections, while in regard to the East Devon League, it can easily be seen that an era of sound management is being entered on, with some more new clubs taking part when the fray begins again in September next. This is just as it should be; it will enable clubs such as Exmouth United, St Luke's College, and Torquay United to play through their season almost exclusively with League matches and not have to rely for a full fixture list upon such a big number of friendlies. It is League matches which alone draw any gates at all for these struggling clubs, and it is gates alone which will ensure their future. The more that is seen of young talent in East Devon the more it is realised that the right raw material is there. The players are here; they only need nurturing by well managed clubs to give the highest credit to the amateur game in Devon. Amateur clubs which exist in centres where professional teams draw their thousands every Saturday are fortunate in that their players have the opportunity of studying the methods of all the greatest players of the day. It stands to reason that if some of East Devon's young players had similar opportunities of studying first-class football and learning there from, there would be, for certain, several of them soon approached with the tempting bait of a professional wage. If Devon can produce her great exponents of the Rugby game, there cannot be a real absence of talent for Soccer either, for after all the matter of what Code the young player attaches himself to is largely a question of environment, so to speak, rather than of predilection. He is a born player of football first, and the player of one Code or the other second.

CONCERNING EXETER CITY.

Exeter City ought to do exceptionally well next season. More old players, some of them Exonians and some from more important Soccer centres than this, are beginning to take a big interest in the workings of the Club, and are becoming subscribers. A more healthy sign still is the number of young players full of promise, such as Singlehurst, who will be available in the next campaign. It is these young players whom the City must have a care for. In their development lies the future strength of the club on the field. Twelve months hence ought to see Exeter City occupying a far higher place in the Plymouth League than it does now, and with this looked for progress there ought to come a better view and consequent recognition by the Devon County selectors of players like Dick Fenwick, Aspey, and Vibart.

Forty-two men have this season at one time or other done duty for the City in the Plymouth League, and this constant shifting and changing has no doubt done a lot to keep the Club in their comparatively low position in the table. It is true, of course, that the team has suffered from many most unfortunate accidents, notably to Sid Andrews and W.Morgan, which permanently put the seal on the playing careers of these two former captains, and, again, from such departures as that of Alec Davidson, soon after the latter had been appointed captain in place of Andrews. But even such happenings as these would hardly justify quite so many changes taking place.

GROUND IMPROVEMENTS.

The constant introduction of Battery element into the first team has given rise to much criticism, and whether this, in itself has been correct policy or not, the truth remains that there has been absolutely assurance of combination, seeing that never, any two weeks in succession, have the forwards remained the same in composition. With Jimmy Sellick, a thoroughly good captain, now being in command, there may be a reform in this direction next season, and it is hoped by that time some of the youngsters available will thoroughly justify their inclusion. With their programme now completed the City have secured an aggregate of 22 points in the League this season. Their record is: Played 24, won 10, drew 2, lost 12, goals for 42, against 53. One other things calls for mention in connection with the City, and that is the question of ground improvements.

The grand-stand scheme at St James's Park was abandoned in October as impracticable, but more than likely it will be "on the agenda" once more in the near future. Then, again, there have been rumours about the laying out of a new ground in a more central part of the town.

The scheme, it is admitted, does not emanate from the Exeter City Club, but they would do well to keep their eye upon it in case it fructifies. St James's is not a model ground, and never will be without the entailment of a big expenditure. If, then, a new ground, more central in regard to site, and with greater natural advantages, is available, the City have every reason to seek pastures new.