City's Glorious Season

CUP ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH WILL LIVE IN HISTORY

RESERVES' SPLENDID DOUBLE

Exeter City do not occupy a very exalted position in the Football League at the close of play, but for all that the season of 1930-1931 will go down in history as the most splendid in the story of the club, to date. The Grecians have done so well and have provided such marvellous entertainment as to make everyone in the district regret that the season is over. But at the same time, the players have not done so well as to prevent for ever the possibility of their doing better. There is the chance of even bigger and more sustained thrills next season, and in those that will follow. The Exeter City public will hope for another exhillarating season in 1931-32, and there is no apparent reason why this hope should not be realised, if the team of today is kept together, and the Directors, as has been suggested in the City club's official programme, make every effort to so improve any weak spots that the club shall have a fighting chance of promotion.

THE CITY RESERVES.
Never in the history of the club has there been such complete harmony among all the players in the Exeter City camp as exists today. Under the very able managership of Mr Billy McDevitt the Grecians have given of their absolute best, whether in the first eleven, in hopes of being selected for the first eleven, or definitely regarded as second eleven players. In this connection a word of appreciation is specially due to the City Reserves. Many a time it is seen all too clearly when a second eleven is being watched in action that certain members of the side are disappointed and disillusioned men who feel they should be in better company. There has been no suspicion of any such spirit in the City Reserves this season. Except for one inexplicable defeat by twelve goals to nil at Yeovil, and of all things, on the "day of days" when the first team vanquished Bury at Gigg Lane in the fourth round of the Cup, in January, the reserve team has played with the same determination and ability in away engagements as on their own ground. And with the result that the City Reserves have accomplished a very splendid "double" by winning both the Western Section of the Southern League and the Western League in face of some very keen competition. And always, the "Stiffs," as they style themselves, have relied on team work rather than on individual methods, and it has paid.

THE CUP SUCCESSES.
Team work, too, has been the secret of the glorious success of Exeter City's first team in the F. A. Cup and the League. The League is included in this summing-up because, although the Grecians have no climbed so high as in some other campaigns, their football has been remarkably good in many matches and has won for the club a very good name all along the South. But those eight wonderful Cup-ties! What a campaign it has been! How nearly the City got to the semi-final stage only those people can know who saw the match at Roker Park on February 28th, when, after Houghton had equalised a goal by Connor, the City dominated the closing play and had one reallt good chance (it fell to Varco) of scoring. It does seem strange now, looking back on the memorable successes at Exeter against Derby County and Leeds United, with the victory at Bury sandwiched in between, when Exeter broke the Shakers' unbeaten ground record, that at the end of November, the City club was quite nervous about their visit to Northfleet United in Round One, and that Coventry gave them a rare struggle in the replay of the second round tie in the Midlands, such a struggle it was, indeed, that it was touch-and-go as to which of the rivals on that day would survive to receive the Derby brigade.

SOME RECORDS.

Exeter City played eight Cup games, spread over half a dozen rounds between November and March, were watched by 144,077 people, who paid £12,499 for the privilege. It is to be wondered for how long this new double high record be maintained in Exeter City's history.

Included amongst the "gates" was one which set up a new and double record for St James's Park. The Sunderland replay in round six drew a crowd of 21,015, and the receipts, with a 2/- charge for the adults instead of the usual one shilling, were £2,564.

THE SEASON'S TURNING POINT.

Then, in the League, there were probably a very few people amongst the club's following, watching the team in the first month of the season, who anticipated anything exceptional from the Grecians in this campaign. The captaincy the centre half position rested first with Bill Inglis, and then with Jock Ditchburn, and later still with Leslie Dennington, and it was not till Dennington took up the duties that the Grecians eventually realised their power. It was then that Notts County, who have simply walked away with the Southern Section championship, came to St James's Park and were staggered by Exeter's amazing come-back after the County had established a three goals lead. The City in the second half fought back brilliantly and equalised amid the most deafening din imaginable through a penalty kick driven into the net by the deadly right foot of Dicky Baugh right on time. Immediately the ball struck the back of the Notts County net the referee's whistle blew (although nobody could hear it!) to signify the end of the match. And to prove that this was no fluke the Grecians, when they visited the Notts County ground on March 7th, served the Southern Section champions precisely as they had served Bury in the Cup on January 24th, beating them by 2 to 1 and so spoiling the County's unbeaten home record.

ANGUS STEPS INTO THE BREACH.

By his splendid centre half play Dennington made possible Exeter City's Cup triumph over Derby County, a feat which staggered the football world. Then the unlucky Exeter skipper twisted his knee at Plainmoor in a League match, and it seemed that Exeter City's chances against Bury in the next round had been reduced to nil. But this was where young Jack Angus stepped right into the breach. And Angus, a splendidly well set up lad of barely 21 years, but with all the makings of a future star, settled down wonderfully well in the pivotal position. Called upon all unexpectedly to take part in some of the most notable and most unnerving matches of the campaign, Angus showed himself to be a man of strength and character, his calm and unruffled style being an inspiration and an example to players older than himself, and he has had a full share indeed in the City's successes. This has been a grand season for several of the Grecians. "Happy" Houghton, that genius among inside forwards, has caught the eye of the F.A.Selection Committee, and is to go to Canada very shortly with the F. A. party for the summer tour of the Dominion. He will win big fame if his luck holds and he escapes hurt. George Purcell is less spectacular than Houghton, but he is a rare artist at inside-right, and it seems quaint now to think that in the autumn and before Purcell settled down in his new position the City were regularly advertising for an inside-right.

CHARLIE MILLER'S BEST.

On the wings Doncaster and Armfield have had some very fine afternoons, and the stocky little left-winger, profiting no end by his association with the gifted Houghton, has attracted a good deal of attention, and deservedly so. Clarke and Barber have given yeoman service at wing half-back. The Exeter Loco man has had many splendid days, while the ex-Bristol City player fits into the team perfectly at left-half. Charlie Miller, on whom the captaincy devolved again when Dennington had to take a long rest, has never played so finely as during this season. He has been seen in match after match showing rare skill and care, playing with a degree of confidence and anticipation almost uncanny. Dicky Baugh, Miller's partner, is an amazing player, tough as nails and small, yet great. He has learned much about football in his long experience and he forgets nothing. In goal there is Arthur Davies, the ex-Evertonian. He took a little time to settle down, but when once he had played himself into form he proved just the right man for the job. His 'keeping in the Cup ties, and in match after match in the League, has been one of the happiest features of the campaign.

VARCO ON THE TARGET.

Percy Varco in the last match of the season equalled the City club's scoring record of 25 League goals. As thorough a team player as could be found from Land's End to John o'Groats, the big Cornishman's unselfish leadership of the City attack has been another pleasing phase of the season's work, and it is surely a satisfaction to him that here in the West country he has returned to prominence as a goal-getter after travelling as far as Birmingham, London and East Anglia in search of football fame

APPEARANCES IN LEAGUE MATCHES:- POSITIONS.

Goal: Davies 37, Jones 5.
Right back: Baugh 30, Gray 12.
Left back: Miller 37, Shanks 5.
Right half: Clarke 28, Inglis 9, Ditchburn 4, Barber 1.
Centre half: Angus 15, Dennington 11, Ditchburn 10, Inglis 6.
Left half: Barber 34, Dennington 5, Clarke 3.
Outside right: Armfield 34, Purcell 7, Gumm 1.
Inside right: Purcell 35, Houghton 6, McCosh 1.
Centre forward: Varco 39, Parsons 3.
Inside left: Houghton 36, Halliday 6.
Outside left: Doncaster 32, Lister 8, Courtney 2.

Southern League & Western League Goalscorers 
34-Parsons 34 
19- Halliday
14- Allison
12- McCosh
8-   Lister
4-   Gumm
1-   Baugh
1-   Ditchburn

NEXT SEASON.

Exeter City have re-engaged fifteen professionals and have signed two amateur players for next season.

They are:- Davies and Jones, goal; Baugh, Miller, and Bright, backs; Clarke, Angus, Barber, Hill, Ditchburn, and E.Keefe, half-backs; Purcell, Houghton, Varco, Doncaster, Courtney, and J.Gumm, forwards.