EXETER CITY STOCKTAKING

The Grecians' Memorable Successes in Season 1927-28

THE STORY OF HOW THEY WERE ACHIEVED

The final Football League tables tell their own story of triumph, of failure, and of steady plodding. And immediately upon the ringing down of the curtain on season 1927-28 for the much needed break which marks the period of summer weather, the football "man-in-the-street" will be found to be seriously and deeply engrossed in the consideration of what season 1928-29 holds in store for his particular favourites and their special rivals. The season just ended will not quickly pass out of memory, as regards Exeter City. In some respects the achievements of the Grecians in this campaign are more interesting and more remarkable than any in the club's history, which extends now over more than two decades.

ROSES ALL THE WAY.

That long spell of successes, unbroken by any defeat, from September 10th to December 3rd, in the course of which the club fielded precisely the same team for two months on end, and that other long spell of successes, from the same date in December till the defeat at Blackburn on February 2nd in the fourth round of the F. A. Cup re-played tie, provided the City and their following with a whole host of joyous experiences. These are experiences such as leave a lasting impression on all the football fraternity of East Devon, and they will be recalled in the years ahead, when the talk turns on the "McDevitt Wonder Team," as feats all the more unique for the fact that they were achieved without a centre forward. Rather a sweeping assertion, some people will say, when Fred Dent can point to twenty-six Football League goals, the highest number ever scored by an Exeter City player in one season, and half a dozen more in the F. A. Cup, all scored from the centre-forward position. Yet the statement holds good, for Dent was moved from inside-right to centre-forward by Stan Charlton as the City skipper during the Southend match at St James's Park on September 17th.

THE MASTER MOVE.

The facts are worth recalling in detail. Exeter City, up to that date, had a record for their first five matches of won none, drawn three, lost two. And at half-time in the Southend match the Grecians were two goals in arrears. Then came the master move, Dent changing places with Phoenix. In the second half the City scored three goals, Dent claiming a brace, and won by 3-2. And from that point onwards they engaged in a run of twenty-three League and Cup matches, taking them right into the month of February, with only the reverse at home to Coventry on December 3rd to strike a jarring note. Fred Dent's genius for position play, his agility, trickiness, and exceptional ball control, proved invaluable to the Exeter club at a time when everything seemed to be going all wrong. Many simple scoring opportunities, it is true, have been missed by Dent, but it is also true that many of those opportunities would never have come the way of another man less gifted in anticipation. It is true, as well, that Dent's outstanding skill has enable him to score some goals which very few forwards in the game could match. As an illustration, the recent home game against Newport comes readily to mind. The Exeter City leader missed two of the simplest openings in the first half, but then with a remarkably clever header he was able to make the experienced Maidment look no better than a novice, and the goal was scored in time to count as Exeter's first in a bunch of five.

CENTRE OR INSIDE LEFT?
Dent is not the robust, thrustful forward that is generally associated with the role of leader, but his elusive, eel-like, insinuating qualities have stood the club for which he plays in very good stead, and these successes, in fairness to him, must be balanced with his occasional failures. He has sacrificed his personal inclinations this season for the good of the club. Inside-left is his true position, and this is where he really wanted to play. Of all the games in the second half of this campaign he enjoyed the most the tussle with Watford on the first Saturday in March, when with Edwards in the centre-forward position Dent partnered Compton on the left wing. Exeter lost the match, but on the run of the play they deserved both points. This particular subject has been dealt with at length both because it has been the outstanding feature of the campaign and because a word of appreciation is due to Dent from the outside public for all he has done in helping to provide Exeter with brighter soccer which has been so marked a development.

CITY'S AWAY TRIUMPHS.

Exeter City's mid-season brilliance was undeniable. For a goodly spell Exeter played championship football, with every favourable result the right reward of the cleverest forward play seen from the Grecians at St James's Park for many years. Nor did the City rest content with home triumphs. Away games, as a matter of fact, brought out the very best that the players had. They were a team of comrades. And so it has come about that on foreign soil they won six times and drew six times. Very few first-class clubs have bettered that away record.

AND THE CUP THRILLS.

In the F. A. Cup the City gave their supporters thrill upon thrill. The third round encounter with Rotherham United and the fourth round struggles with the great Blackburn Rovers team, the eventual winners of the competition, rank as very high up among the big joys of the campaign. More than 90,000 people watched the City in their half a dozen F.A.Cup games, and as much as £6,419 was paid in gate money on these red-letter days. And in the sporting north-country circles, at Rotherham, and at Blackburn, Exeter's exceptional skill, sportsmanship, and grit won warm admiration. Once out of the Cup the Grecians fell away somewhat, as many teams do after a long run in that competition. In the six League games which followed the Cup re-play with the Rovers, the City secured two points only. Then they steadied themselves up again. But after the wonderful Christmastide, yielding maximum points from one match with Merthyr and two with Plymouth Argyle, the Easter whirligig, producing only one point from the Saturday match with Gillingham, seemed too tame for words. Tom Edwards, secured from Aberdare Athletic, to lead the Exeter forwards in the later games, was unable to fit into the line in the way that had been hoped, and receiving a thigh injury in a Reserves match was kept out of the game for the remainder of the season.

ENTER CLIFFORD BASTIN.

Latterly, all the talk has been of the genius of Clifford Sydney Bastin, the sixteen years old local inside-left, who, after one or two brilliant games in the Reserves, has stepped into the first team, has scored three goals in his three League games, and has proved himself over and over again to be a born footballer. Behind him, at left half-back, there has been Reg "Nobby" Clarke, another ex-"Ladybird," who promises to make his mark in big football. So although the Grecians have not broken any records in the way of League or Cup success, but the Chiefs' season has been nevertheless a remarkable one, and the Reserves have distinguished themselves greatly in both the Southern and Western Leagues. Runners-up in both competitions, they probably would by now be the champions of the Western League but for some cruel luck in their match with Bristol City Reserves at Ashton Gate on April 25th.

GEE'S INJURY MENDING.

Exeter City have been especially strong at full-back in both teams; very well and loyally served at half-back with Alec Pool and Sam Mason shouldering in turn, and highly creditably, the very responsible centre-half duties, and with Harry Gee an unqualified success at left-half till the match at Bristol, on St. Patrick's Day, when he had the misfortune to break his left leg. It is a matter of pleasure that Gee's injured limb is mending splendidly, and that in the capable hands of Eddie Jones he expects to make a full recovery. In the forward line, as has been stated already, the City have shown clever football and skill much above the average, under McDevitt's inspiring and able captaincy. Purcell has been as consistently successful as any man in the line, while the left-wing pair, Compton and Vaughan, have not been behindhand in contributing to the effectiveness of the attack.

The Exeter City club's list of professional players this season is a very long one, and many men have not had much scope, some none at all, in the ranks of the first team.

Like the Chiefs, the Reserves have had a wonderful run of successes. Some of the scoring feats by Andrews and company have been phenomenal, and have been well backed up by the sound and solid defensive work of Lowton and others. Wilfred Lowton's captaincy of the Reserves has been another happy feature of the season.

LOOKING TO "DAVE."

Last but not least is the reference to a development of the utmost importance to the Exeter City club, and that is the change of managers which has taken place in the course of the season. Mr Fred Mavin, appointed to succeed the one and only Mr Arthur Chadwick in the middle of season 1922-23, left Exeter for Crystal Palace on November 21st last, and after an interval of rather more than four months his successor, Mr Dave Wilson, took up duty. Now, April (even the earliest days of it) is rather late in the season for the appointment of an official with such important responsibilities in the way of searching out the talent capable of strengthening a team engaged in top class football, especially when economy is a big consideration to the club. The new manager may find himself somewhat handicapped, therefore, in his immediate and later efforts. All the same, Mr Wilson must be reckoned one of the shrewdest men in football, and this is further exemplified by the mere fact that he is a Scotchman, and without expecting too much of him the supporters no doubt are justified in hoping quite a lot. Some very good and very reliable footballers who have been associated withExeter City for more than one season have not been offered terms this time. This can only mean one thing, that Mr Wilson believes it is not to difficult to secure even better men for the positions in question. The City following will look to him to work the oracle, although as a fact, of course, the ultimate responsibility is the Directors'.

EXETER CITY S CUP FIGHT

Features of the Games With Blackburn Rovers.
Memorable Tussles.

"Our men fought like heroes but were beaten by the icy wind and rain after the interval. It was a tremendously hard game." Mr M.J.McGahey, the Exeter City Chairman.

"It was a good hard game and the better side won." of Exeter City. Billy McDevitt, captain

"The City put up a hard clean fight and their goalkeeper gave wonderful a exhibition." H.Healless, captain of Blackburn Rovers.

So some of the leading personalities in the Cup tie, which was decided at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on Thursday, February 2nd, summed up the situation at approximately 4.15 o'clock, when the exhausted players reached their dressing rooms after the most thrilling match seen on the Blackburn ground during this season. Undoubtedly the Rovers deserved their success in the replay, even though for an hour there was nothing to choose between the teams, and for another thirty five minutes the heroic City defence prevented Blackburn from taking the lead. The changing weather conditions exercised a big influence on the game. It was a cold day with a strong wind blowing direct from goal to goal. And for three quarters of an hour there was a tremendous downpour of icy rain and sleet, and the storm, started during the match interval, ended with the close of the second half. As luck would have it the City players had to face this whipping blast, and it was an ordeal which the Blackburn men escaped entirely. The sun broke through as the referee restarted the play for the period of extra time.

Splendid Exeter City Defenders.

Chilled to the marrow, up against a powerfully built defence, and handicapped by the very heavy going, the City attack broke down. Vaughan and Compton only continued to show any real fight, and the late play resolved itself into the most desperate struggle between the Rovers attack and the City defence. This great duel was the outstanding feature of the game. Holland had been at fault along with Miller when Roscamp got Blackburn's equaliser three minutes after Compton had secured the lead for Exeter direct from a corner-kick, but the City goalkeeper made all possible amends by a magnificent display between the posts all through the second half and during the extra time. In the defence of the Exeter goal Pollard played such wonderful fine football that he was generally acclaimed the best back on the field.

SCOT VERSUS SCOT.

Another Exeter player who distinguished himself beyond the ordinary was Mason at centre half, whose determined tackling and amazing stamina will not soon be forgotten in the Blackburn district. One incident, late in the game, caused special joy to the crowd of nearly thirty thousand onlookers. Hutton, the Blackburn right back and Scottish International, took it into his head to emulate Puddefoot, and attempt a dribble through the City team. He eluded man after man in glorious style and was rapidly nearing the City goal when - crash! - Sam Mason was in the way and Hutton had to pick himself up off the ground as best he could. These little courtesies between brother Scots are always illuminating.

THE MATCH WINNER.

Puddefoot, whom older followers of Exeter City have seen at St James's Park in the old Southern League days, was the match winner. He held a roving commiss ion, somewhat after the McDevitt fashion, but showing more speed, more craft, and more decision near goal. He was held in check for a long time, but in the end settled into his stride with great effect. He made the opening whereby the Rovers took the lead after 95 minutes of play and he himself scored the last goal after 115 minutes of play. Exeter City were the last of the Third Division clubs in the Cup competition, and right well did they represent their class. They only barely missed the securing of lasting Soccer fame as the sensation Cup side of this season. With a shade more confidence in front of goal the City forwards would have beaten Blackburn at St James's Park on the Saturday. That was Exeter's great opportunity.

TWO ROVERS WHO WOULDN'T.

People who saw the Cup replay at Blackburn wondered if there would be an echo to the match in the shape of a report to the Football Association about the conduct of two Blackburn players at the end of the ninety minutes' play. Mr Gray, the referee, signalled for the players to cross over at once for the commencement of the extra time, but some of the Exeter players who were under duress and suffering severely from the weather requested a brief interval, and were joined in this appeal by men of the home team. A five minutes' respite to enable the players to change their soaked jerseys seemed really desirable from all points of view, but Mr Gray refused to allow any delay. He whistled for the teams to take up their positions, but Rigby, followed by Pudde foot, ran off the field, and the rest of the Rovers would not start without them. The delay was seized upon by the trainers as a good opportunity to give the players a hot drink, and they ran on to the playing field, bottles in hand, and slaked the men's thirst. Mr Gray made impatient
repeated signals for the game to proceed, and presently the two missing Rovers reappeared, struggling in frantic haste to get clean dry shirts over their shoulders. And the game was. restarted. It is a safe assumption that the two men were the only players on the field who felt comfortable during extra time. It is a small matter, perhaps, to make a fuss about, but they certainly snatched an unfair advantage in defiance of the referee. A player has no right to leave the field without permission, unless in the case of an injury, and a veteran north country writer with an experience of first-class football going back over many years declared that he had not seen a similar occurrence on any football ground. As nothing further has come of the incident it is presumed that Mr Gray took no subsequent action.

GEORGE PURCELL'S RETIREMENT.

The player who appeared to be suffering the most from the conditions was the City outside-right, George Purcell. His face was blue with the bitter cold, and after being distressed for some time and barely able to kick the ball he attempted to leave the field, but was ordered back by the City trainer. Sohrtly afterwards, however, Purcell was hurt, and he limped off, to take no further part in the contest.

RECORD GATES.

While the attendance for the Cup match with Blackburn Rovers at Exeter fell below the ground record to the extent of nearly 2,200 people, the receipts reached a new high level. The previous best, both in regard to the size of the crowd and the amount paid, was reached on December 27th 1926, when the number of people who paid for admission was 19,518, and the sum realised at the gate was £1,201. 17s.ld. For the Blackburn match the figures were 17,330 and £1,781 respectively.

In the list of sixteen Cup matches in round four, Exeter City's attendance was thirteenth, the figures ranging from 41,328 at the Arsenal ground, where the visitors were Everton, to 10,513 at Port Vale to see the contest against New Brighton. As regards the match receipts, however, Exeter took tenth place, for the 1/6d ground admission price in effect caused the Exonians to pay more for their sport than any other Cup crowd except that at Wrexham, where a 2/- charge was made for the match with Birmingham, and 12,283 people paid a sum of £1,371 to see the play.

MORE ROOM AT THE PARK.

While the capacity at St James's Park is stated to be somewhere about 20,000 as things are at present, there is no question that the ground accommodation can be developed to a much greater extent when funds permit. Particularly is this the case in regard to the "flower pot" terracing running the length of the field opposite the grandstand. If this bank were carried right down to the level of the field, as is the case with the big bank at the far end, there is room, or rather there would be, for several thousands more people, and also, the spectators would have a better view of the play close to the touch-line. Similarly, the cart-way behind this bank might be utilised. If this were done the accommodation would be at least equally as accessible providing that the projected entrance-way from Old Tiverton Road were developed. Moreover, this entrance would be very convenient for the large number of supporters who come in from the higher part of the city.

Speaking of supporters, Exeter City and their supporters have made a host of new acquaintances in their Cup excursions. Rotherham people, it is remembered, paid very high tributes both at Millmoor and St James's Park to the splendid sportsmanship of the Grecians and their following, and in the case of their opponents the Exeter players and people reciprocated the feeling right to the limit.

And Blackburn. The excursionists from the East Lancashire town who visited the "Ever Faithful" in January carried away with them three big impressions, that is if the story told by one of them may be taken as typical of the lot. Seen after the match, he declared that he was very very glad that he had made the long journey, because otherwise it would have been impossible to appreciate what a splendid sporting crowd turned up for a Soccer game in Devon.

FIRST AND THIRD.

This Blackburn enthusiast stated also that he had been a keen follower of the Rovers all his life (he is now middle-aged) and he had seen them lose many a match, but in all his experience he had never seen them run through as they were by Exeter City in the second half of the game. Another point which impressed this visitor very much was the fact that there was such a very little difference in the standard of play in the First and Third Divisions as shown in this match. Exeter City, of course, are quite an exceptional Third Division team this season, as their record proves, but it can be well appreciated that a man who lives in a centre where something like £20,000 has been spent by his club in the way of transfer fees in the past two or three years to build up a team of stars would be astonished at the degree of success which can be achieved in the way of team building without money.

WHAT BLACKBURN THOUGHT.

"Gallant Fight by Exeter," was the headline to the report of the Cup replay at Blackburn on February 2nd, and the comments of the Blackburn critic "Argus," were: The Rovers were for the greater part of the game far below the form we normally see from them, and totally unrecognisable as the team which defeated Newcastle United so thoroughly. Not one department did itself full justice, and even the usually sound defence, Crawford included, frequently gave cause for anxiety.

Though they certainly enjoyed the greater share of the play, the Rovers did a lot of purposeless attacking. The moves of the Exeter men were fewer, but more dangerous looking, for they had more method than the Rovers, and showed much better understanding of each other's ways. Their defensive work was specially good. Blackburn were the superior side during extra time, but all the same it was a hard fight for them."

Stanley Charlton, the Exeter City left back and vice-captain, has joined the former Exeter manager's Club, Crystal Palace, Mr Mavin having gone there to take up a managerial appointment last November. Charlton has been with Exeter City for five years and has rendered brilliant service to the Grecians in the left back position and as captain. He will be the Palace's regular right back, a position he filled with distinction while playing for the English F. A. XI in the tour of Australia three years ago. Stan Charlton will carry with him from Exeter and East Devon the hearty good wishes of thousands of admirers, for he is the perfect example of the modern footballer, and a man who invariably plays the game in the true spirit of sport. The transfer was effected on May 11th.

Exeter City Team-Building.

Richard Arthur Doncaster, a native of Barry Dock, Wales, was transferred to Exeter City from Bolton Wanderers on May 10th. Doncaster was two seasons at Bolton, but with the forward talent available there received few chances. They are somewhat conservative in such matters at Burnden Park. At the same time, they said when he was signed on two years ago: "Richard Doncaster, who is a Welsh schoolboy international, is only 18 years of age. He can play at centre-forward as well as inside-left, and it is in his favour that he was recommended by the same schoolmaster that sent Vizard and Jennings to Bolton Wanderers."

Tom Smelt, who was on Exeter City's books four years ago has been transferred from Manchester City to Oldham Athletic.

Cameron Signs for Exeter City.

Exeter's second close season capture is Edward Cameron, a sturdy Scot from Stafford Rangers (fee to Nelson) who served Nelson for two seasons. He is 25 years of age and can play either on the left wing or centre forward. Exeter completed this transfer on May 26th.

On the same day Alex Christie of Paisley was signed by the City from Rochdale. Christie is an experienced right or left half-back who has been at Rochdale for the last four seasons, and was formerly with Reading and Southampton.

Former Grecian Married.

Alf Matthews, the popular ex-Grecian who was transferred to Plymouth Argyle in the 1925-26 season, was married on May 26th at St Sidwell's Parish Church to Miss Maude Reed, daughter of Mr H.Reed, a former Exeter and Devon County rugger player.

"Darkie" Potter, now captain of Wigan Borough, was unable to attend as "best man" owing to the sudden death of his father on the previous day.

More Signings and News From Torquay.

On June 14th the clever inside left of Everton, Harold Houghton, the fourth new player to join Exeter City, arrived in the "Ever Faithful," and seemed very pleased at the prospect of settling in at St James's Park.

Torquay United are also busy in the transfer market, and have secured Fowler, a back, from Bradford City, Harold Gough, a former English International goal keeper who was reserve to Dick Pym at Bolton, and Cyril Hemingway, the centre forward who played for Rotherham United in the cup-tie against Exeter City.