EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB  
The Grecians  Season 1929 - 1930

Lots of the big clubs which had successful teams last season and which have re-engaged those teams and recruited additional talent, just to be on the safe side, are able to regard the new season with every confidence, feeling sure that even if the championships and cups do not come their way they are certain, with ordinary luck, to be in the first flight. For lots of other clubs, however, last season did not go as well as they had wished, and since the first Saturday in May financial considerations have been the cause of them having to part with outstanding men. For the same reason the ventures of such clubs in the matter of new players have been of a modest description. To them the question "Where shall we be next May?" is an anxious one and for a clue as to the answer they will be looking to the opening of the new season and the results on the first day, August 31st. Exeter City are in the latter category. It is hoped that the unhappy experience of 1928-29 will not come the way Exeter City this season, and that on the contrary the local club will model its results rather on the lines of 1927-28, when only one game was lost in the period from mid-September to the beginning of February. of

GRECIANS NO MORE.

Exeter City have transferred during the summer a brilliant young local inside forward in Clifford Bastin, who has removed to the Arsenal, where he should soon make as big an impression as he did in Devon, and also a couple of tried and trusted full-backs, Wilf Lowton of exceptional physique and the most de pendable reliability, and Bob Pollard of the stocky build, dazzling good looks and aggressive spirit to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Queen's Park Rangers respectively. These players carry with them the hearty good wishes of all followers of the soccer code in Exeter and East Devon, and none will be more delighted at their success in the case of Bastin and Lowton with clubs in higher divisions of the League and in the case of Pollard with an ambitious club that is this season "all out" for the promition so narrowly missed in the last one, than the host of their friends and admirers they have left behind. The transfers are very regrettable in the sporting sense, just as were the departures of Dick Pym and Harold Blackmore to Bolton, and other removals of the same sort. Team-building is a very exacting science, and no club can hope to reach and hold a high place in competitive football unless it retains its best playing material from season to season and makes it the basis of new side. the Other clubs besides Exeter, low in the Southern Section last spring, have felt the necessity of parting with good men in return for hard cash, and so have to start the new season full of hope rather than confidence. Now and again, of course, such a club strikes really lucky, and springs a big surprise on the Soccer world in general and its own supporters in particular. But it is becoming increasingly true that the Third Division clubs in each of the two sections, North and South, are falling into two classes, one being the financially strong organisations which continue to build for playing success all the time, and the others, the "also rans." Last season's thrilling race for the championship of the Southern Section and the equally tight squeeze at the other end of the competition, twenty points or so behind, support this view.

GOOD OLD FANNY WALDEN.

Fanny Walden, who has had an illustrious career both at football and County cricket, is possibly best remembered here as the "midget" outside right of Northampton, who regularly tormented the life out of various Exeter defenders in the old Southern League days. Now, for some reason or other, he fails to see eye to eye with the rest of the famous footballers who, for a consideration, supply football forecasts to the Press. It is to be earnestly hoped that Mr Walden is right and that the rest are wrong in so far as the issue of Exeter City's opening match of the season with Luton Town is concerned. For Mr Walden alone tips the City to win. The last time Exeter City won the opening match of the season was in 1926-27, when Merthyr Town visited the Park and were beaten by three clear goals, and that was also the last time Exeter City had the felicity of opening up the campaign on their own ground. Last year the Grecians commenced serious work at Brentford, and the year before that they visited Torquay United.

CONCERNING THE GRECIANS.

Exeter City have signed on thirteen of last season's players and a dozen new men, the latter comprising a goalkeeper, three full backs, two half backs, and six forwards, and under the guidance of the players' manager, W.McDevitt, a purposeful line was followed in the practice games, so that in the final match, on August 24th, the Stripes XI had very much the appearance, although it was not accorded the title, of the "Probables." The Grecians with whom the spectators are already well acquainted, all looked. exceedingly fit and ready for the fray, and the smartness and soundness of their work in all departments was impressive. It may be that the complete and absolute harmony which prevails behind the scenes is a helpful factor; it may be that the men realise that the competition for places is likely to be keen. Whatever the cause, it looks as though those of last season's Grecians, who have been re-engaged, will improve on their last season's form. Most notable among the newcomers, as matters have developed so far, is David McMullan, the Irish International wing-half-back, with Liverpool experience, (and a fellow townsman of McDevitt) who is a very sturdily built player, and plays with method all the time. Gurkin, the ex-Stalybridge pivot, is the other new half-back engaged. Much is expected of Alderson, the goalkeeper from Sheffield United, and who is remembered in this part of the country for his fine 'keeping when a Crystal Palace player. Howson and Baugh, from Bath City and West Bromwich Albion, in that order, along with Shanks, from Huddersfield Town, are the new backs. It is a fact that many of the City following who can recall "Peggy" Evans have been heard to declare that Howson is just such another; the same black curly hair and the same bow legs.

SIX NEW FORWARDS.

Guyan,the new leader from Connah's Quay, has made a good impression in the practice games. He has something of the quickness on the ball, opportunism, and deadly shooting of a Morris. Henderson, the six-footer from Torquay, and Corrigan, a youth from Hurst, Lancashire, are also in the running for the job of centre-forward. In Hemingway and Thomas, from Torquay United, the club has secured two clever and useful inside forwards. Hemingway is remembered as the star forward of the Rotherham line when the City met that club in the Cupties of season 1927-28, and his shooting powers as well as his cleverness on the field should prove very helpful. Finally, there is an exceptionally quick moving new outside-right in William Armfield from Aston Villa. Exeter City are able to place in the field a hefty team in which there is a nice blend of youth and experience, and if the players knit together quickly in the spirit shown in the last practice match the club should improve very considerably on its showing of the last campaign, when so many points conceded to visiting teams at St. James's Park. were Further, the City look like being represented in the Southern and Western Leagues by a very strong second team.

LUTON'S EXPECTATION.

The "Strawplai ters," or Luton Town, to be more precise, expect to exceedingly strong team in the field this season. place an The club spent quite a long time at the top of the Southern Section last year, and although they lost ground unexpectedly as the campaign neared its close, they finished seventh and were always a formidable side, as their success in April by 3-0 against Charlton Athletic, the Southern Section champions, and their 8-0 victory over Gillingham clearly demonstrates. Rennie, the Luton Town centre-forward, who used to be a centre-half, topped the list of Football League scorers with 43 goals to his credit. Luton believe they are stronger now than then, and they expect big things of Peploe, the far-famed Ilford amateur outside-left, and Morgan, the Irish International centre-half from Notts Forest, who has been made captain. Exeter City Reserves will commence the season with a Western League match at Aston Gate against Bristol City Reserves.

EXETER CITY PLAYERS 

Exeter City commence the new season with a list of twenty five professionals, of whom twelve are newcomers, and twelve are members who were re-engaged at the end of the last campaign. In addition Percy Noble of Exmouth, the full back who gave valuable assistance to Exeter City Reserves as an amateur last season, signed professional forms on July 17th. The detailed list is:
T.Holland J.T.Alderson R.Baugh G.S.Howson C.Miller R.Shanks P.Noble J.H.Ditchburn A.Sheffield S.Mason J.Gurkin L.A.Dennington R.L.Clarke D.McMullan G.W.Purcell W.C.Armfield W.McDevitt G.W.Guyan W.Henderson
R.Corrigan H.Houghton C.F.Hemingway A. Thomas R.A.Doncaster W.G.Death

The New Grecians

ALFRED THOMAS, the clever inside-left of Torquay United, signed for Exeter City on May8th, and is anxious to show what he can do in his new colours. He is twenty years of age and of medium build. He played in a Newport League two years ago and was signed on amateur forms by Newport County, his stay there being of very brief duration before removing to Torquay. Thomas is a native of Tonypandy.

DAVID MCMULLAN. A sturdy, stocky wing half-back who joined the Grecians from Belfast United with the consent of Liverpool, who held his registration. He was "capped" for Ireland v. England and Wales in 1925-6 and v Scotland the following season, whilst a Liverpool player, and altogether played 21 matches in the First League for the Anfield brigade before going to America. His best position is at left half, but Liverpool used him as an outside-left upon his signing for them in 1925. Signed forms for Exeter on May 9th.

ROBERT CORRIGAN. Seven years' foreign service with the Royal North Lancashire Regiment, including long spells in India and China, have given Corrigan, one of Exeter City's new centre forwards, a whole lot of interesting experiences. A native of Manchester, his first club on leaving the Army was Patricroft in the South-East Lancashire League, from whence he removed to Eccles United, a Manchester League club. With Eccles he stayed till Hurst, the Cheshire League club, transferred their centre-forward, Cheetham, to Swansea Town. Corrigan then signed for Hurst, and in their last five games he scored nine goals from the centre-forward position. While in the Army he played regularly as a full back, but is now a fully experienced centre forward. His transfer to Exeter City was effected on May 9th.

RICHARD BAUGH. When the Football League was in its infancy forty years ago, one of eight English Internationals who constituted the greater part of the Wolverhampton Wanderers' eleven was Richard Baugh, the right back, who not only represented his country, but also figured in three F.A.Cup finals. This Richard Baugh's son is the man who was secured from West Bromwich Albion on May 27th to stabilise the City rearguard for next campaign. He has been aptly described as a "trinket edition of Robert Crompton." Exeter spectators will be impressed by the accurate timing of his clearances, his all-round efficiency, and his absolute fearlessness. "Dickie" Baugh, who pronounces his name as "Buff," is always a conspicuous figure, for he has the sort of hair that in polite circles is called auburn. Never was the saying of "ginger for pluck" truer than in his case. When Baugh was demobilised after the war and returned to Wolverhampton he was engaged as a professional "Wanderer" immediately after appearing in the club's trial matches in August 1919. His early games for the Wolves stamped him as a fearless and resolute defender with just a suspicion of recklessness, but with experience he developed into a safe yet dashing player, and in the season of 1920-21 he suffered his greatest disappointment when he had to drop out of the Cup final team (versus Tottenham Hotspur) through a knee injury. Baugh's only other club has been West Bromwich Albion, to which he became attached in the early days of July 1924.

J.T.ALDERSON. Sixteen and a half years ago, on Saturday, January 25th 1913, to be precise, there was introduced to First Division football, in the ranks of Newcastle United against the Arsenal, a young giant of a goalkeeper named John Thomas Alderson, who was born on November 23rd 1891 at Crook, a Durham mining village, and who had kept goal successively for Crook Juniors, Crook Town, and Shildon Athletic, before becoming an amateur with Middlesbrough. Newcastle United induced the Yorkshire club to cancel his registration, and gave Alderson his first chance in senior company. During the war, when Alderson was playing for the Royal Garrison Artillery, he came under the notice of Mr Edmund Goodman, the manager of Crystal Palace, who, after his demobilsation on January 1st 1919 secured his transfer from Newcastle United for £35. Alderson proved a wonderful bargain. He, and Little and Rhodes, backs, formed a rearguard which operated together in more than 100 consecutive League and Cup games for the Palace, a record to which there is no parallel. The played together in all the club's matches when the championship of the Third Division was won in 1920-21, and it was after Alderson had appeared in trio 193 League games during five seasons with the Glaziers that a disagreement arose concerning his benefit, with the result that he went to South Wales and joined Pontypridd, in July 1924. In his only season there Alderson appeared in 84 Southern League and Welsh League games, yet had only 40 goals scored against him. Sheffield United "resurrected" him in May 1925, and he has figured in 122 First Division contests during these last four seasons, a fact which speaks eloquently for his soundness, freedom from injury, and consistency. He is an International, having kept goal for England v France in 1923. Whilst with the Palace he gained a reputation for saving penalty kicks, repelling eleven out of twelve, including two in one game. John Alderson is a man gifted with rare and rich humour, and was a "turn" on the music halls at one time. He is also a giant who does not know his own strength, and he once tackled Georges Hackenschmidt, the famous wrestler, in a challenge match before the War; he also has a positive passion for quoits and has excelled at sprinting and rowing. He greatly amused the spectators at St James's Park in the City trials by throwing the ball up and punching it nearly as far as the half-way line on several occasions. Alderson signed his Exeter City forms on May 28th.

JOHN GURKIN is 26 years old and a centre half of strapping physique. He is a native of Durham, and in four seasons with the "City" was hardly ever absent from duty, his figures being 36 League appearances in 1924-5, 42 in 1925-6, 41 in 1926-7 and 41 in 1927-8. He had one season with West Ham before returning North to play for the club of his birthplace, and last year was in Wales with Connah's Quay. He is a steady rather than spectacular type of player who has a thoroughly sound knowledge of the game.

GEORGE WOOD GUYAN of Aberdeen is a strong bustling centre forward of the Dave Morris type, whose first senior club was Dundee. He came "over the border" in August 1923 to sign on for South Shields, and in three seasons there scored eleven goals in 30 Second Division League appearances. Hull City paid their record transfer fee for him on December 23rd 1926, and in twelve League games for the "Tigers" Guyan found the net eight times. In 1927-28 he took part in seven Second Division matches, scoring twice. He spent last season in the Welsh National League with Connah's Quay, and signed for Exeter on June 7th.

ROBERT SHANKS of Cowpen Bewley, is 23 years of age, and joined Huddersfield Town two years ago after a season with York City, but his opportunities were few and far between at Huddersfield with Barkas, Wadsworth, and Goodall the regular backs. Signed for Exeter on the same day as Guyan, June 7th.

CYRIL HEMINGWAY. It has been Cyril Hemingway's curious fate to play against Exeter City in a Cup-tie in each of the last two seasons, and each time to be on the losing side. Hemingway, who will be first choice for the inside left position at Exeter, has had a considerable acquaintance also with the outside left position, so that he should know very well how to knit together the left wing and centre positions. A native of Rotherham, he developed his football talent in his home town while serving his apprenticeship as a steel-turner, and after he joined Rotherham United in the summer of 1925 he continued to work at his trade for a year and a half so as to finish his apprenticeship. For three seasons Hemingway played for Rotherham, and it was in the third campaign that he led their attack in the F. A. Cup-tie against Exeter City, a match that will long be remembered by all who witnessed it. The teams met first at Rotherham, and the United twice led by two goals, but each time were compelled to give ground, so that Exeter in the end forced a draw of three all. In the replay at St James's Park the City won by 3 goals to 1. A quick, clever, and dangerous forward, Hemingway made a big impression in the two Cup games, and the Torquay United representatives who had seen his display were proud of their capture when they secured his signature at the end of the season. Last winter Hemingway was therefore at Plainmoor. He had been top of the Rotherham scoring list in two of his three seasons there, and he now went on to top the Torquay list with eleven goals in thirty-eight League matches. As a "Magpie" he took part in the second round F.A.Cup match at Plainmoor, in December, when the Grecians won by a goal to nil. Hemingway, who signed forms for Exeter City on June 10th, is in his early twenties, and looks like having a very successful career.

WILLIAM HENDERSON is the third Torquay United player to make the short journey from Plainmoor to St James's Park this summer, his transfer to Exeter being completed on June 15th. A centre-forward of formidable proportions, being of six feet in height and thirteen stone in weight, Henderson is renowned for his bustle and speed rather than for any particular football finesse. Edinburgh is his native city, and his football career began in earnest in 1920 when he was snapped up by the Heart of Midlothian club, leading their attack with great success throughout the 1920-21 season. In the summer of 1921 Manchester United paid £2,000 for his transfer. Unfortunately for the United the season which followed saw the club relegated from the First Division and only 41 goals were scored, Henderson's contribution to this modest total being two, obtained in ten appearances. During the next two seasons Henderson mainly languished in the Reserves, leading the forwards in Central League games but only twice in the League eleven, scoring one goal. In the season of 1924-25, however, which was the one in which the Old Trafford club regained their place in the "upper
circle," Henderson was reinstated to the centre-forward position, and much of the success of that season was due to the big Scotchman's forcing play allied to hard shooting for goal. Although he did not remain with the United to the end of the season, being transferred to Preston North End for another large fee in March 1925, he was still Manchester's top scorer for the campaign, his figures being fourteen goals in 22 League appearances for the United, and one goal in nine games for Preston. Henderson did not settle at Deepdale, however, and before the start of the 1925-26 campaign was again transferred, this time to Clapton Orient, for whom he obtained seven goals in thirty Second Division appearances in his one season there. He then returned to Scotland, playing in turn for Airdrieonians, Heart of Midlothian, and Greenock Morton. Last season, with the "Magpies," Henderson scored eight goals in 15 Southern Section appearances.

GEORGE SHERPLE HOWSON of Bath City had been under the close scrutiny of Billy McDevitt on behalf of the Grecians for quite some time before he was finally brought to St James's Park, on July 17th, and with the departure of Pollard and Lowton he is the new right back who will be Charlie Miller's partner in the 1929-30 season. Howson was born at Bolton, and his first junior club was Little Hulton United of the Bolton and District League. This was the club with which Stan Charlton, the ex-Grecian now captaining Crystal Palace, was associated in his earlier days, and Howson, recalling the fact, states that when he joined the club Stanley had just left for Oldham Athletic. Howson came into prominence with Little Hulton United, and Bristol City came along in the summer of 1924 and persuaded him to sign professional forms for them. From that time onwards to the end of season 1926-27 Howson was with the "Babes" at Ashton Gate, a matter of three seasons. Then he went to New Brighton for a season, having as an associate there Eddy Wade, the centre-forward. The season ended, Wade removed to Exeter and Howson to Bath City, and now, after another twelve months, Howson has come along to Exeter, where, because of a remarkable and unmistakable likeness in build and looks to an old-time City full-back (Norman Evans) he has already been dubbed "Peggy."

WILLIAM ARMFIELD is the last of the new Grecians in order of recruitment, yet the first alphabetically, for the football season of 1929-30 was almost upon us when this spry and sprightly outside right arrived in the Ever Faithful. Armfield, who was born at Handsworth, Birmingham, signed professional forms for Aston Villa in February 1922 when eighteen years of age, and has studied the science of "Soccer" at that celebrated "football university" ever since, till the recent past, when he became a Grecian. Despite the fact that owing to the presence at Villa Park of Dickie York, the International, his chances of First Division football were limited, Armfield carries the stamp of class associated with Aston Villa wingers, being extremely fast and a master of the art of confident ball control and sending in accurate centres. He also likes to cut in and have a shot at goal himself, when opportunity arises. During the course of his sojourn with the Villa, Armfield was associated at one time or other with Phoenix and Dennington.

EXETER CITY'S FIELD DAY.
ATTRACTIVE SPORTS AND BRIGHT SOCCER GAME.

Saturday, August 17th 1929.

Some very good foot and cycle racing was seen at St James's Park on Saturday afternoon, at the Exeter City Football and Athletic Club's annual sports, and a crowd of nearly 4,000 people thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment. Following the sports the prizes were presented to the successful competitors by Mrs Head, the wife of Mr Ernest Head, the Exeter City director. The Exeter City Military Band was in attendance, under Mr G. Newman's conductorship, and contributed to the pleasure of the afternoon.

GRECIANS' OPENING PRACTICE.

Directly the prize-giving ceremony ended the teams took the field for Exeter City's opening practice match, and it was noticed that the attendance had now increased to fully five thousand.

Ten of the newcomers were on view, six in the Red and White team and four in the team billed as the "Whites," but which in fact turned out in jerseys of deep blue with broad red collars and shoulders, and white knickers, looking very distinguished in that uniform. Baugh was absent on the melancholy errand of attending his father's funeral, the elder Baugh being in his day a famous English International footballer.

Red and Whites. Holland; Howson (Bath City), Shanks (Huddersfield Town); Sheffield, Gurkin (Stalybridge Celtic), Dennington; Armfield (Aston Villa), McDevitt, Henderson (Torquay United), Hemingway (Tor quay United), Doncaster.
Blue and Red. Alderson (Sheffield United); Noble, Miller; Ditchburn, Mason, McMullan (Belfast stillery); Purcell, Thomas (Torquay United), Guyan (Connah's Quay), Houghton, Death.
Referee:- Mr. Webb.
Linesmen:- R.L.Clarke and R.Corrigan (Hurst). Captains:- Henderson and Ditchburn.

Two players needed the attention of Eddie Jones because of injuries. Gurkin was crippled, but resumed, but Dennington's was the more serious, and he had to retire to the dressing room before the finish. Two goals were scored, McDevitt netting for the Red and Whites with a fierce cross shot shortly before the interval, and Purcell equalising afterwards. of the newcomers, Armfield, Thomas, and Hemingway made the most favourable impression among the forwards, while Alderson shaped as well as the rather small amount of work that fell to his lot would allow.

SECOND PRACTICE MATCH.
THREE GOOD GOALS AT ST JAMES'S PARK.

Wednesday, August 21st 1929.

Exeter City's second practice game on Wednesday evening attracted a crowd of two and a half thousand spectators. Baugh (West Bromwich Albion) and Corrigan (Hurst) made their first local appearance, in this game, while Rounsevell, the left back of Plymouth St.Thomas's, appeared in the red and white team in place of Miller.

Red and Whites:- Holland; Howson, Rounsevell; Sheffield, Mason, Clarke; Armfield, Thomas, Guyan, Hemingway, Death.
Blue and Reds:- Alderson; Baugh, Shanks; Ditchburn, Gurkin, McMullan;
Purcell, McDevitt, Corrigan, Houghton, Doncaster.
Referee:- Mr C.W. Goad.

Play opened easily, but after a few minutes Doncaster appropriately wound up a neat movement by shooting low past Holland to the corner of the net. The reds were not long in equalising. Thomas brought the ball up swiftly and slipped out a well-judged pass to Death. Baugh had run forward and appealed for offside, but in vain. Death crossed the ball strongly, and Armfield very promptly returned it to the front of the goal for Guyan to crash it into the net, high up, with a drive which gave Alderson no chance.

GUYAN'S SECOND GOAL.

Soon afterwards the Reds took the lead and again Guyan was the scorer. This time Death profited by a slack backward pass by Baugh intended for Ditchburn, and the old Sunderland outside left passed to Guyan, who shot a nice goal. McMullan came to the rescue of the Blues with some admirable defensive play, and he now cleared capably a dangerous movement which Sheffield originated. At the other end Purcell delighted the crowd with some tricky approach work and a beautifully judged centre, but Houghton's hook shot went outside. Then Corrigan shot hard, but well wide of the mark. Good combination by Guyan, Death, and Armfield for the Reds ended with Death firing a powerful shot just wide, and Mason was playing a powerful game for this team at centre half.
HALF-TIME:
Reds 2 Blues 1.
The second half was not very old when two excellent scoring chances came the way of Guyan, but each time he shot outside. Hemingway tested Alderson with a tremendous drive from outside the penalty area, the goalkee per clearing with a hefty punch which sent the ball flying over the bar. The corner was negative.
Result:
Reds 2 Blues 1.

EXETER CITY PRACTICE MATCH.
CLEVER PLAY IN FINAL TRIAL AT ST JAMES'S PARK.
Saturday, August 24th 1929.

Between three and four thousand spectators attended Exeter City's third and final practice match on Saturday evening, when the teams lined up in charge of Referee A.W.Martin as follows:

Red and White: Alderson; Howson and Miller (captain); Ditchburn, Mason, and McMullan; Purcell, McDevitt, Guyan, Hemingway, and Death.

Blue and red: Holland; Baugh and Shanks; Sheffield, Gurkin, and Clarke;
Armfield, Thomas, Henderson-captain, Houghton, and Doncaster.

Holland was soon in action, for the Stripes' attack made ground at speed from the half-way line, and the Blues' goalkeeper put paid to a smart move when he jumpe to tip a strong shot from Hemingway over the bar. A moment later Death centred to Hemingway, and another hard drive was stopped by Holland. Three minutes later the Stripes took the lead, for Hemingway cleverly drew the Blues' defence before putting Guyan clear of the backs, and the centre-forward shot with such force that although Holland got his hands to the ball he could not keep it from going into the net. Purcell scored a second goal for the stripes, and Thomas replied on behalf of the blues, this goal coming about through hesitation on the part of Howson and Miller.
Half-time: Stripes 2 Blues 1.

HEMINGWAY'S FINE GOAL.

Near the finish the Stripes increased their lead, Hemingway sending in a low drive which Holland parried with his foot. The ball was recaptured by the old Rotherham and Torquay forward, and he banged it hard into the net in the most approved style.
Result: Stripes 3 Blues 1.

The game was by far the brightest of the practice series, the football of the Stripes often being highly attractive, and especially the work of their half backs and forwards, while Alderson was cool and competent between the sticks. As regards the Blues, the outstanding player undoubtedly was Holland, and his second-half display was especially praise worthy. Houghton also gave a splendid account of himself.

GRECIANS ON THE MOVE.

Apart from the transfers of Bastin, Lowton, and Pollard, already mentioned, the following City players have found themselves new clubs: Phoenix (Wigan Borough), Hick (Grays Thurrock), and Pool (Stalybridge Celtic).