EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB

The Grecians: Season 1933 - 1934

Twenty-two starters will soon have broken the tapes and will be in the throes of a gripping race intriguingly styled - The Southern Section Championship Stakes. Unlike most contests in which an abundance of staying power is demanded, there will be a frantic scramble for position right from the "off." This particular event is contested at helter-skelter pace from the end of August to the beginning of May, and ground lost in the early stages of the long and offtimes desperate trial to the Second Division winning post cannot be made up unless rivals falter. A good start is more than half the battle in such a gruelling test.

It engenders confidence, ensures harmony, and there is inclined to be less tendency to waver as the competition increases in its intensity. A team which has had to wage frenzied battles to over haul opponents better placed always has to run the risk of cracking up, because the limits of physical endurance will not permit such efforts being sustained. It has happened so often, as everybody knows. Did not last season's promotion struggle hinge largely on the failures and successes of August and September? And were not Brentford successful because of a sensational run of triumphs in their opening games? Would not Exeter City have pipped the "Bees" but for disappointments in the early autumn?

LESSON FROM THE PAST.

Last season Exeter City were the best football side in the Third Division South. There was more craft in their ranks than in those of other teams in the tournament, but ability was not rewarded as it should have been because of a slowness to settle down. Inferior teams were garnering points from an Exeter City which had the skill but not the confidence. When the hesitancy vanished the Grecians made remarkable progress. By this time, unhappily, the damage had been done. The sequel was one of acute disappointment, alleviated, it is true, by admiration of a gallant fight, but at the same time, galling. Recent experience must convince everyone who has the welfare of the club at heart that Exeter City have to run into winning form right away. The salient lesson of 1932-1933, if properly assimilated, can have beneficial repercussions. So the advent of another campaign brings renewed hopes, and in the case of Exeter City, a justifiable optimism. The future is one of immense possibilities and may mean the dawning of a new era for the club. Practice games have indicated prospects of bright times ahead. It is, however, often unwise to assess the value of players with too much certainty on the form shown in such trials. It is easy to condemn a man, and easier still to overrate him on practice match performance. The acid test is found when the friendly atmosphere is removed. It is possible to accomplish in practice games what would not be attempted in League warfare, and Exeter City's outlook is based on the rock-like foundations of competitive achievement and not on the comparatively flimsy structure of trial match display.

PROMOTION PROS AND CONS.

There is no Brentford to contend with this season, and whether or not Charlton Athletic, relegated from the Second Division, will be potential promotion candidates is problematical, in spite of their financial backing and undoubted individual talent. The changed composition of the Southern Section would appear to be in favour of the City, but on the reverse side of the medal the die is not cast so brightly. Houghton's absence from the ranks, it is presumed, must be regarded as permanent, and the news that Barber is unable to play for a while is disquieting. It is everybody's wish that Stanley Barber enjoys a speedy return to health. The task of following Houghton will probably fall on Jack Kennedy or Walters, both useful players, the one a schemer, who likes to deliberate very keenly before deciding on his mode of advance, and the other a dashing raider who epitomises a spirit of youthful exhuberance. The seasoned campaigner on the one side and the bold adventurer on the other. There is every prospect of Kennedy having a successful season at Exeter, although he may have a difficult task to find his way into the first team. Sprightlier now than he was twelve months ago, he will be better able to justify his undoubted football craft and shrewd footballing brain. Maybe his is yet another example of a Northern born player taking a season to acclimatise himself to the more relaxing Southern air.

Poulter, too, seems better equipped for the exacting duties of the leadership of the forward line than he was last August. It would be idle to pretend that he is as clever a footballer as Whitlow, but he has the capacity to learn, and to develop into a good centre forward. Whitlow has been a consistent goalscorer for a number of seasons, and there is a polish about his methods which appeals to those capable of appreciating the game's finer points. Poulter, of a different type, has the advantage of a more robust frame, and if he continues to pay the same attention to positional play as he showed in the practice matches, his turn will come. Last season he was prone to keep too close to the opposing centre half, but he is beginning to realise the futility of such tactics. Experience is the corrective agency in football as in most other spheres. Turning now to the left half position, Webb must be regarded as the automatic successor to the unlucky Barber. He has the attributes of an attacking intermediate, and his flair for exploiting the low and accurately directed through pass is his strongest credential. Webb is likely to develop into a top-class half back, provided he can find another yard or so in a hundred. No-one could fault his ball control in the practice matches, and he could be very strong in the tackle. He will have the advantage of playing in front of as good a defence as any in the League, and there is no reason why he should not fill the bill, for increased pace can be acquired, where other good qualities in the footballer's equipment are more difficult of development.

BENEFIT FOR CLARKE.

Another who is almost certain to be seen wending his purposeful way through the rigours of the coming Third Division campaign is the local product, Reg. Clarke, otherwise "Nobby." Clarke has no real challenger for the right half back berth, and no-one minds that, for he is a trusted servant, and popular among all sections of the spectators, who admire a hard working, as distinctly apart from the flashily brilliant type. His six years of unrelenting endeavour in the cause of Exeter City will no doubt be remembered in the matter of a few weeks, to be precise, on the evening of September 20th. For he will then take his benefit, and the classy Leicester City side will provide the opposition to Exeter City.

ON THE WINGS.

Reverting to more immediate matters, the displays of the extreme wingers will be watched with interest at Reading in the opening match of the new season. These positions gave rise to anxiety in the close season, and the directorate had to spend money to secure the transfer of Barnes from Watford. He should strengthen one of the positions if past records go for anything, because he was a consistently useful member of the Hertfordshire club's attack for a couple of seasons. In fact, he did not miss more than half-a-dozen first team matches, and he was never relegated to the second team. On the other flank Welsby will be operating in a place more suited to his natural ability. Although he played at outside left during the greater part of last season he is more at home on the right. In fact he was regarded as an outside right till Sunderland tried to convert him into Connor's understudy.

THE DEPARTURES.

There have been remarkably few departures from the City Club, and the number must be the smallest on record. Ince, a very promising goalkeeper, but lacking in height, has gone to Darlington, where he is joined by Connaboy, a tantalising player if ever there was one, clever as the best in the game but just failing to achieve the fame he deserves because of his slowness to get off the mark. Robinson, never the luckiest of players with the City, might find the changed environment at Gillingham more favourable. He will not be a stranger there, because he will be joining Purcell, Holland, and Mr Fred Mavin, all formerly associated with the Grecians, the first two as players and the last as manager.

The only other players not retained are Higgins and McJennett. The former has migrated to Newport County, where he created a sound impression in a recent practice match. He promised well with the City, but fell away as the season advanced. McJennett, of course, was the victim of a serious injury last season, and has now had to retire from the game.

EXETER CITY: 1933-1934

Headquarters and ground: St James's Park.
Club colours: Red and white stripes.
Directors: Messrs M.J.McGahey (chairman), E.Head, F. P. Nichols, J.Lake, Captain Hunter.
Secretary: Mr S.H.Thomas. Manager: Mr W.McDevitt.
Trainer: Mr R.Loram.
Assistant trainer: Mr A.Staunton. Captain: Arthur Davies.
Vice-captain: Charlie Miller.

The Houghton Deadlock

BENEFIT DIFFICULTY FACING SMALLER CLUBS

One of the most acute difficulties with which the smaller and not very wealthy professional clubs are faced is that relating to a player's benefit. The difficulties are many sided, and they strike at all clubs except those situated in the thickly populated areas. Exeter City have now experienced the full force of the benefit storm, and may be in danger of losing the services of Houghton, one of their star players, as a consequence. Houghton, according to rule, qualifies for a benefit by virtue of his having completed five years' service with the City. He should receive that award this season, and would do so if he re - signed for the club.

AMOUNT UNCERTAIN.

The Third Division player's benefit is usually uncertain as to actual amount, for clubs in this category cannot afford to promise or guarantee a fixed sum. Exeter City, Norwich City,Bournemouth, Torquay United, Reading, and the others cannot write out cheques for £650 every time a player becomes eligible for a benefit, for financial stringency prevents this from being done; stability must be the first consideration and sentiment a secondary matter in these cases. The big guns of the First Division, and a few of the wealthiest Second Division Clubs can afford to treat such matters easily and as mere formalities, trifling items in a balance sheet of colossal revenue and expenditure. Here then is one of football's greatest anomalies. The point is well illustrated by the Houghton case. A player of outstanding ability, and a loyal one, he finds himself due for a reward commensurate with his skill over the five years period. He has stated quite definitely that he will not re sign for Exeter City unless he were guaranteed a definite sum. The City Directors have done all they might reasonably have been expected to do. Their offer happens to fall short of the player's expectations, hence the deadlock. Is there a way out? From the player's point of view a transfer to a bigger club would end the difficulty. The club could also adopt this easy course, but what then of the supporters, who naturally resent the periodical transfer of a star man.

HAPPY ENDING?

Perhaps the Houghton affair will end in the manner most Exonians would most desire, namely his return to the side. His football artistry would be of incalcuable value, and this is well appreciated by those in control at St James's Park. An offer has been made by the Directorate, and that offer remains whenever Houghton chooses to accept. Meanwhile he will be out of the game, for as an Exeter City player on the retained list he is debarred from signing for any other British club, whether Football League or outside the pale. So a return to Exeter, a team abroad, or out of the game altogether are the only alternatives open to him at the moment.

EXETER CITY'S NEW PLAYERS.

So far the City have signed only two new players for the coming season. These are John Benjamin Barnes, an outside Watford, and Thomas Walters, an inside forward, left from from Crystal Palace. In addition Arthur Chesters, a goalkeeper who has spent four seasons with Manchester United, and Peter Kenyon, a junior right half back from Atherton Colleries, Lancashire, have been engaged on a month's trial.
Jack Barnes, who is expected to strengthen the attack, played over eighty games in his two seasons at Watford, and is reputed to be a fast and very clever player. In his earlier days he spent one and a half seasons with Coventry City and two with Walsall. Barnes is a native of Atherstone and was born in June 1908.

Tom Walters, the powerfully built inside forward, who bears rather a striking resemblance to Jack Doyle, the boxer, was at one time a member of the Merthyr Town team in his native Wales. He received his early training in a prolific nursery, and it was not a matter for surprise when the big clubs began to interest themselves. In the end Bolton came along with the necessary inducement, Walters going off to Burnden Park, where he remained for two seasons, and during that time played in nine First Division matches. Crystal Palace would not have parted with Walters but for the reasons of economy.

ARTHUR DAVIES THE NEW CAPTAIN.

Seven years ago an unknown in the football world walked on to the Everton ground and asked for a trial. He was a goalkeeper, and in quite an informal and preliminary kick about showed such aptitude that he was again asked to display his prowess. The goalkeeper was Arthur Davies from Wallasey, which is just across the River Mersey from the Everton ground.

So began the football career of Exeter City's new captain. He was signed on by the "Blues," with whom he won a First Division League Championship medal, and for whom he played 89 matches, all in the First Division. Whilst at Goodison Park he gained representative match honours, keeping goal for the League against the Irish League in the early part of 1930. In May 1930 he was listed at £2,000. That figure was reduced very considerably as the summer advanced, and Exeter City were able to tempt him south-west on the eve of the opening of season 1930-31. No club could wish for a better servant. Exeter City never wished for a better goalkeeper. Davies has now played over a hundred matches for the City, and he has yet to play a really bad one. His work is always immaculate, under the severest of pressure he is cool and unflurried, and his positioning and anticipation impossible to fault. It is not usual these days to appoint a goalkeeper as captain, but in the case of such men as Davies objections are readily swept on one side. He is a man of character, a one hundred per cent. club player, and as such commands the respect of his colleagues. He follows another illustrious goalkeeper in the captaincy of the Grecians in Dick Pym, and like "Pincher" Pym has the confidence of directors, manager, players, and supporters alike. It is to be hoped that he will enjoy a successful term in the role of skipper, and that he will make a worthy successor to Charlie Miller, the late captain.

THE GRECIANS.

The following players are the "Grecians" of season 1933-34.

Goal:- A.Chesters, A.L. Davies.
Backs:- J.Ditchburn, W.J.Gray, R.G.Hughes, C.Miller.
Halves:- J.Angus, S.Barber, J.A. Childs, R.L.Clarke, H. Webb.
Forwards:- J.B. Barnes, A.J.Gumm, S.C.Hurst, J.Kennedy, H.Poulter, J.Scott, T.C. Walters, A.Welsby, F.Whitlow, F.L.Wrightson.
On trial:- P.Kenyon, half-back. Amateurs :- S. Barnes, M. W. Lock,
S.Risdon, E.H.Tappin.

Exeter City's Practice 

NEW PLAYERS SHAPE WELL IN OPENING TRIAL

Saturday, August 12th 1933.
STRIPES 3 WHITES 3.

It is apparent that the Grecians will be able to start the season of 1933-34 on a more settled note than in former years, despite the refusal of Houghton to re-sign and the relinquishment of the captaincy and the request to be placed on the open-to-transfer list by Miller. The majority of the players have the advantage of their previous acquaintance with one another's methods, and this factor ought to contribute to a happy start during a period when several Southern Section clubs will be passing through the transitional stage. The teams on Saturday evening were:

Stripes:- Davies; Hughes, M.Lock;
Clarke, Angus, E. Tappin; Welsby, Wrightson, Poulter, Kennedy, J.Barnes.
Whites: P.Carpenter; Gray, Miller; Webb, Childs, S.Barnes; Scott, S.Risdon, Whitlow, Walters, Hurst.
Referee:- Mr E.J.Spettigue.

Jack Barnes, the new outside left from Watford, came through this game with credit, and it was noticed that he favoured the modern and effective idea of coming in towards the goalmouth when play was on the other side of the field. Walters, the recruit from Crystal Palace, scored the first of the six goals altogether obtained, and he did much else that was very useful. A finely built inside forward, he seemed to thrive on hard work, and like Kennedy, saw plenty of the ball. The other scorers were Hurst (2), Kennedy, J.Barnes, and Wrightson.

Poulter's Power
FOUR GOALS IN CITY PRACTICE MATCH An Early Casualty

Wednesday, August 16th 1933.
Stripes 5 Whites 4.

Exeter City's centre-forwards drew blank in the first of the new season's trials, but in the second practice match, on Wednesday evening, the pendulum swung completely. Poulter in particular had the goal lust, but although scoring four times he finished on the losing side. He led the Whites' attack in his usual dashing style, and his methods were in advance of those he used twelve months ago. Smarter to run into position he has no doubt benefitted from experience in Southern Section circles. Whitlow, who scored two goals, was not so prominent, but his fine record of consistent goalscoring speaks more eloquently than a comparatively quiet evening in a practice match.

Stripes:- Davies; Gray, M.Lock; Clarke, Webb, E. Tappin; Scott, Wrightson, Whitlow, Kennedy, Hurst. Whites:- P.Carpenter; Hughes, Miller; Ditchburn, Childs, S.Barnes; Welsby, S.Risdon, Poulter, Walters, J.Barnes.

Poulter opened the scoring early on when he steered a shot well into the corner, out of Davies's reach. He repeated the feat in another few minutes, with assistance from Childs and J.Barnes. of the two sides at this stage the Whites were the more energetic, with Walters, Hughes, Miller and Childs their shining lights. Indeed, it looked as though the Stripes were in for a bad beating when a lofty centre from Welsby enabled Poulter to head the third goal of the match. The Stripes then woke up, and Whitlow scored for them, only for Poulter to net his fourth goal. An early casualty was Stan Barnes, who twisted his knee before the interval and did not turn out afterwards, and playing against ten men the Stripes scored four goals through Kennedy (2), Scott, and Whitlow. 

BRIGHTER EXETER CITY
Clever Football in Last Practice Match
GOALS GALORE

Saturday, August 19th 1933.
WHITES 5 STRIPES 4.

Three goalkeepers were tried in Exeter City's final practice, on Saturday evening. One of them was Davies, and he was, well, just Davies, and until he plays a bad game there is nothing new to tell about him. Another was Leonard Cann, a brother of the well known Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper. He took Davies's place in the second half and created a good impression, though lacking experience. The third was Chesters, the most critically observed of the trio, because he had been definitely signed on from Manchester United on the previous day, after coming to Exeter on a month's trial. Chesters, who was opposed to a line of sharpshooters, had plenty of chances to shine. He had not one but several amazing clearances, and long before the end the spectators ceased to marvel at his daring. They took it all as a matter of course.

Stripes:- Davies (Cann); Gray, Miller;
Clarke, Angus, Webb; Welsby, Wrightson, Poulter, Kennedy, J. Barnes.

Whites:- Chesters; Hughes, M.Lock; Ditchburn, Childs, Kenyon; Scott, S.Risdon, Whitlow, Walters, Hurst.

Chesters was in fact one of the big successes of the trial. He is especially good at dealing with straight full blooded drives, and he should prove an able deputy for Davies. A casual visitor to the ground might have been pardoned if he had mistaken this trial for a serious League match. The earnestness of the play would have warranted such an error. The form shown by all the players was convincing and far in advance of that of earlier trials. The goals were scored by the following players in the order named: Kennedy, Welsby, Wrightson, Walters, Walters, Whitlow, Poulter, Hurst, and Walters.