EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
The Grecians: Season
1934 1935

Many people regard the start of a football season as an opportune time for fanciful optimism or frightful pessimism. They are wrong to do so. More helpful at the opening of a campaign is a reasoned outlook; a calculated and well founded assessment of the club's, or the player's prospects. A lot of the talk that is heard is utter nonsense. One section glibly discusses promotion and another thoughtlessly forecasts relegation.

RESTRICTED FINANCES

There are several critics who aver that the club with limited financial resources can never hope to win any of professional soccer's prizes. This is not necessarily true. Money, of course, can accomplish a lot, but so, too, can discrimination when it comes to spending, wise management, and a sound policy of team building. It is possible to be economical without being left in the lurch, and that is why a club like Exeter City is well able to maintain a position of respectability in the present sphere of operations. Mere £.s.d. cannot ensure the essential blend, and the vital harmony. Wealth does not guarantee that bright individual stars. will retain their lustre when grouped into a body which has not the will and determination to shine. It is well for football that the honours are not always won by the club with the most in the way of financial assets. Professional football is more commercialised now than it used to be before the war, yet the sporting aspect remains and will, no doubt, continue to do so. The small unfashionable club is still content to battle with the aristocratic organisations with the big bank balances. And sometimes the smaller concern emerges triumphant from the clash. As previously stated, money can accomplish a lot, and good and consistent support is badly needed by Exeter City this season. As far as can be gathered the team will be capable of rendering a good account of themselves in the Southern Section, and that being so a recurrence of the apathy which the Soccer followers of Exeter and East Devon revealed towards the end of the past season is not anticipated. With-holding of patronage was very apparent as soon as the club dropped out of the promotion hunt after Christmas, and because of the falling away of support there was a net loss of £2,000 on the year's working. Obviously no club can continue on these lines. A sporting chance is what the management needs; a guarantee of the supporters' good faith. Consistently good match attendances are necessary if Exeter football is to advance. The standard of the game in the district will not be maintained without them.

ROOM FOR SECOND DIVISION FOOTBALL

The position has to be faced squarely. Unless the budget can be balanced according to ordinary receipts and payments, revenue has to be adjusted in another way, the distasteful process of periodically transferring a good player. And if that does not answer, the following year's team is usually cheap, tawdry, and incompetent. It is therefore up to the sport loving public of the district to rally round and help the club to go forward. There is room for Second Division football in the city if only every one pulls his weight. The prospects were bright twelve months ago, and then the horizon became cloudy through a variety of causes which had not so much to do with inferior playing ability as with rival factions getting at cross purposes. What of the outlook at the moment? There is no reason why Exeter City should not be well up with the leaders. The defence should continue to rank as one of the best in the League; there is a healthy and solid look about the half-back line, and the forward department should be more penetrative.

GOALKEEPERS OF OUTSTANDING MERIT

Practice match displays indicated that there was a very happy "get together" feeling, and there seemed to be a more friendly atmosphere at the Park than was evinced on the dawn of season 1933-34, a campaign which was heralded in on notes of sensation and disquietude. The club is fortunate in being able to choose between two goalkeepers of outstanding merit. The management were wise in retaining the services of Davies and Chesters, as many a Southern Section club would be happy with either one of these men. Davies has the class and Chesters the daring. In the full-back department it is safe to presume that the old firm of Gray and Miller will do duty until either of them happens to fall away from his own admirable standard. Supporters are happy that the partnership is to remain intact, and the retention of the old captain is right and proper. Smith and Lock will prove able deputies in an emergency, and the strength of the rearguard is reassuring. The City are likely to prove difficult to beat.

DEPARTURE OF STAN BARBER

The Grecians have been fortunate in possessing serviceable half backs for a number of seasons. There is no reason to expect a decline in the standard, for tried and trusted servants in the persons of Clarke, Webb, and Angus are again available for duty. Webb demonstrated last winter that he was fit to rank as one of the best pivots in the Third Division, while Clarke has shown himself to be one of the most consistent and loyal players ever to have represented Exeter City. The adaptable Angus is still ready to show his paces on either flank or in the centre, as required. On sentimental grounds the departure of Stanley Barber is to be regretted. He is another link with the City's cup triumphs who has sought pastures new, and all sportsmen in these parts will wish him well in the ranks of Brighton and Hove Albion. To fill Barber's old position the Grecians will be able to call on the experienced Joe McClure or the hard-working Dudley Lewis, while there is also the inside forward Steve Dudley to fall back on. Dudley played left-half in Clapton Orient's team before moving westwards to Chelsea.

WING COMPARISONS

One gratifying feature of the practice matches was the form of the two new outside lefts, Dryden from Newcastle, and Tierney, a name with a familiar ring to old-timers, from Guildford. This flank at any rate will be appreciably well equipped, more so at the present time than the right. Scott is the only professional outside-right signed, although the club management is probing a number of sources. Enquiries have been pursued in England, and Scotland, and players under review for the outside right berth include Crook (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Johnston (Aberdeen), and Connell (Kilmarnock).

The five forwards retained from last season have been augmented by four newcomers. Reference has been made to the two outside left recruits; the other fresh faces are Dudley, a schemer who is able to hold his own in the fiercest exchanges, and who is a master in the art of the close dribble, and Eddie McArthur, who many sound judges regard as the pick of the close season's new captures. On the whole Mr McDevitt has chosen discriminately. He has had to tread warily, and has not been over blessed with money. Summing up, it looks as though the City will be the same as usual in defence, a shade better at half-back, and less fickle in the attack as they were at the end of last season. Regarding the old friends who have left, Childs has returned to Darlington, his first love, Barnes has gone to York City, Welsby to Stockport County, and Whitlow to Cardiff City. Hughes, Gumm, and Hardie have not fixed up anywhere else, while Boundy, whose career has come to an unhappy and untimely end, will not play any more football, although he had signed for Southport. The sad news of his death reached Exeter last week, and caused a shock in the city. Complications which proved fatal followed a chill contracted while bathing in his native Cheshire.

LIST OF EXETER CITY PLAYERS

Goal: A.Davies, A.Chesters.
Right back: W.J.Gray, M.Lock.
Left back: C.Miller, W.Smith.
Right half: R.L.Clarke, J.McClure. Centre half: H. Webb.
Inside left: E.McArthur, S.Dudley.
Left half: J.Angus, D.Lewis.
Outside right: J.Scott.
Inside right: F.L.Wrightson, S.W.Risdon. Centre forward: H. Poulter, S.Hurst.
Outside left: J.Dryden, C.Tierney.
Amateurs: F.Jasper, E.Keefe, F.Smith, S. Barnes.

Saturday, August 11th 1934.
CITY'S BRIGHT OPENING TRIAL

Recruits Shape Well at the Park
ATTACK STRONGER:
DEFENCE AS USUAL

Exeter City, in common with many clubs up and down the country, staged their first public trial of the season this afternoon, and there was a gratifying attendance at St James's Park. The spectators saw a bright and entertaining display between teams. styled Whites and Stripes. The former combination won by two clear goals, both obtained in the first half, and the success was about merited on the run of the play.

Whites: Davies; Gray and Miller; Clarke, Webb, and McClure; F.Smith, Risdon, Hurst, McArthur, and Dryden.
Stripes:- Chesters; Lock, W.Smith; E.Keefe, Angus, and Lewis; Scott, Wrightson, Poulter, Dudley, and Tierney.

Referee:- Mr E.J.Spettigue.
Linesmen:- Messrs F.L.Allen and E.F.Errington.

Captains: Webb and Angus.

The opening goal was obtained by Risdon, who was in an offside position when he received the ball but was allowed to continue unchallenged. He dribbled to within a few yards of Chesters, who parried the first shot, but Risdon, from the rebound tapped the ball into the net. The second goal was obtained just before the interval. Hurst, who was a lively leader for the Whites, whipped the ball across to the left wing, and Dryden closed in and gave Chesters not the slightest chance with a slashing left foot drive which curled into the net just inside the near upright. Both teams had chances subsequently but there was no further scoring. of the six new players on view McArthur pleased the crowd the most with his clever and industrious work in midfield. He took a big part in the game, being frequently in possession and his ideas indicated him to be a thoughtful and clever forward. The match suggested also that Exeter City will be stronger on the left wing than was the case last season. Dryden and Tierney in their varying styles (Dryden is all speed and dash and Tierney is slower but more artistic) had many bright moments. There was little to choose between the two new half backs. McClure took the eye with his long raking passes along the ground, the ball being placed accurately to either wing, while Lewis was well to the fore with some strong defensive play, whilst his powerful shooting could spell trouble for opposing goalkeepers. Dudley showed that he is able to manoeuvre skilfully within a small compass.

FORMER GRECIANS DO WELL IN TRIALS

Features of today's practice games which will be interesting to local followers were a hat-trick by Walters, who played centre forward in one of Torquay United's teams. Other former City players to do well included Doncaster, now at Gillingham, and Whitlow, who played inside right at Cardiff.

EXETER CITY'S NEW CHUMS

Joseph McClure, right or left half, was born at Workington in 1907, and has been associated in turn with Preston North End, Liverpool, Workington, Wallsend, Everton, and Brentford. He won First and Second Division championship medals with Everton, and was "capped" (as was Harold Houghton) for England v Canada, in the summer tour of 1931. He is 5ft.9ins. and weighs 11st.111b.

Jack Dryden, one of the fastest left wingers in the game, was born at Broomhill, Northumberland, in August 1911, and played for Ashington before joining Newcastle United in August 1932. He is 5ft 8ins tall and weighs 11st 61b.

Edward Stanley Smith McArthur is a Scot who plays the typical Scottish game. He was born at Cowdenbeath in 1911, and before coming to England to play for Middlesbrough last season was a regular member of the Raith Rovers forward line, and in his earlier days played for Crossgates Primrose of Kirkcaldy. Of medium height (5 ft 9 ins) and weight (11 stone) McArthur is already a favourite with the Exeter City following.

Dudley Reginald Lewis, one of the few modern footballers to sport a moustache, has the happy knack of being able to assist in any position, although holding a preference for left half. He is a well set up man, being 13 stone in weight and 5ft 9 inches tall, and was born in London in 1909. Lewis has played for Bath City, Queen's Park Rangers, and Bristol Rovers, and has played against Exeter City more than once and in more than one position. Lewis among other attributes packs a really hefty shot, knowing how to put all his weight behind the ball.

Samuel Dudley, who by a strange coincidence hails from Dudley, Staffordshire, is an inside forward of considerable experience who has played for Preston, Bournemouth, Clapton Orient, and Chelsea. Height 5 ft 8 ins; weight 11 st 7 lbs.

Cornelius Tierney was born at Kibbirine, Ayrshire, in 1911, and is a stylish outside left who has had considerable experience in England, Ireland, and Scotland. He first came into prominence in his native country with Glasgow Celtic, afterwards removing to Bo'ness and St Johnstone and thence to Belfast Celtic. While in Ireland gained representative honours, assisting the Irish League versus the English League. Tierney spent the last two seasons at Guildford, and his display in a friendly match with Exeter City Reserves last January impressed itself upon the City management with the result that he was closely watched on several occasions and his signature obtained among keen competition from three or four other interested clubs. Tierney is 5ft 4ins and 11st 41bs.

EXETER CITY'S NEW TRAINER

Few trainers in England have had a more varied experience than Mr E.S.Edwards who was recently appointed to succeed Mr.Reg.Loram at St. James's Park. Mr Edwards, who holds a number of diplomas, is a certified masseur, and has already made himself popular with the players at the City headquarters. Here are a few of the appointments he has held:- Official masseur to the English Test team, the M.C.C., and Middlesex County C.C., trainer to Swansea Town Football Club for sixteen and half years, and before that to the Burnley F.C. His term at Swansea was lengthy and distinguished, and while he was there he became acquainted with Mr McDevitt, the manager of Exeter City, who was then a Swansea Town player. Mr Edwards is known to footballers and cricketers all over the country, and the Exeter City management has done well in enlisting him as their trainer.

Wednesday, August 15th 1934.
DEFENCES DOMINATE
Exeter City's Second Practice a Lukewarm Affair

STRIPES 2 WHITES 1.

Exeter City's second practice match, played at St James's Park on Wednesday evening, was hardly so attractive as the opening trial last Saturday. The Stripes defeated the Whites by two goals to one, and it was a game in which the defences took the principal honours.

Stripes. Davies; Gray and Miller; E. Keefe, Angus, and McClure; F.Smith, Wrightson, Hurst, McArthur, and Tierney.

Whites. Chesters; Lock and W.Smith; Clarke, Webb, and Lewis; Scott, Risdon, Poulter, Dudley, and Dryden.

Referee:- Mr Potter.

It was pleasing to note that Webb settled down into his best form, and that Angus, his opposite number, played a very useful part. Clarke was another strong intermediate, although he had the misfortune to put through his own goal in turning round to attempt to clear a long crossfield pass from Wrightson, who was the cleverest constructive forward on view. Other players who revealed improvement as compared with last Saturday were McClure, Lock, W.Smith, and Dudley. The opening goal has been referred to. The Stripes went further ahead when Hurst netted from Wrightson's pass, and the lead was reduced just before the finish when Poulter headed in a model centre from Dryden.

Saturday, August 18th 1934.
CITY FORWARDS SHINE
Eight Goals in Final Practice
RED & WHITES 6 WHITES 2.

Goals were plentiful in Exeter City's final practice match, on Saturday evening. Eight of them were scored, but the result of the match conveyed no correct indication as to the ability of the respective teams because the two forward lines were reversed after the interval. Of greater importance was the keen and oftimes clever football revealed, and it is no exaggeration to state that the quality of the entertainment surpassed that staged in many an engagement in the Football League. All the men were playing for their places, and the competition was keen.

Red and Whites: 
Davies 
Gray Miller
Clarke Webb McClure
Scott Dudley Poulter McArthur Dryden

Referee:- Mr A.Martin.

Tierney Wrightson Hurst Risdon F.Jasper Lewis Angus E. Keefe
Smith Lock
Chesters
Whites:

The forward lines when reversed give the composition of the two sides after the interval. At outside left Dryden and Tierney were both in excellent form. Their styles were dissimilar, but either player will be a good acquisition to the City first-team on this performance. Dryden relied on the quick burst through. He endeavoured to take the shortest route and his fleetness of foot enabled him to succeed on most occasions. Tierney exploited the traditional Scottish game, and most of his efforts were the embodiment of football craft and subtlety. He excelled at coaxing the past defenders and then delivering the ground pass into the goalmouth. By this means he made more than one gilt-edged chance, and his style of play is based on very similar lines to that of Sammy Black, the Argyle winger. There is no doubt at all that Dryden and Tierney are both ready for the first team, and the pity of it is that there is not room for two outside-lefts. Another recruit to please was McArthur. He was brilliant before the interval, when he scored two cleverly engineered goals for the Stripes by means of hard and sccurate shooting. Although he was not so much in the limelight in the second half, the reason is not far to seek; he was then opposed to the City's probable first-team defence. Several good forwards have discovered that their effectiveness has been curbed when battling against that sound rearguard.

THE WORTH OF MCCLURE.

McClure had his best game in the red and white jersey of Exeter City, and his distribution later in the game was worthy of an intermediate whose football education was developed at Goodison Park, Liverpool. McClure was at Everton for three years, and a club of that standing does not retain for more than one season a professional who is incapable of portraying the finest arts of the game. Other newcomers in Dudley and Lewis contributed well to the all round scheme, the former being a shrewd schemer, and the latter a hard-working half-back who will be at his best, probably, in the autumn when the grounds become softer.

ENTERPRISING LEADERS.

Hurst and Poulter, who were among the goalscorers, both showed themselves to be enterprising leaders, and it is going to be a real battle between these two for the centre-forward position. Last season's defence conceded only two goals, and both Davies and Chesters made a number of excellent clearances. For the Red and White stripes the six goals were shared equally between McArthur, Poulter, and Hurst, the latter's brace coming in the second half following the reversal. Poulter, having got two for the stripes in the first half, followed up with another two for the white team after the interval had been taken.