EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
The Grecians
Season 1938 - 1939

Away with the controversy over time limitless cricket tests! Of more importance now is the eight months' football test that is close on hand. From the Arsenal to Rochdale, from the Villa to the smallest club, this is a time of high expectation. For in every board-room the view is confidently expressed that this season will be better than the last. Whoever invented the time worn phrase about hope springing eternal ought to have been a football director. Optimism is the easy and perhaps the natural way of approaching a new season. If the coloured prospects of late August fade to a less appealing hue later on, soon enough then to look for the appropriate remedy. Not until clubs are plunged thick into the competitive element will it be possible accurately to weigh up the relative strength and weakness. Practice matches, all very well in their way, serve little useful purpose when it comes to assessing the merits or demerits of a side.
A GUARANTEE AGAINST RE-ELECTION.
How do Exeter City stand? Will the coming season be better and more successful than its immediate predecessors? In endeavouring to analyse the position one helpful point must be that the club has retained all save one of the players who bore the brunt of the Football League campaign last term. The exception is Coulston, who has gone to Barnsley. This tells that strictly on the basis of past happenings Exeter City's nucleus of old players should be a guarantee against an appeal for re-election without being strong enough to be in the front rank of their class. From this point one arrives at the close-season team building activities, and in this connection the questions to be asked are these:- "Will the newcomers individually be superior to the men whose places they have been engaged to fill? And will they settle down collectively?" Blend is of the utmost importance in a team game such as Association football. The opinion of the Management in answer to the first of these questions, must, of  course, be "Yes." In regard to the second they have to hope, as will the supporters, for the best, for there is no certain guarantee as to how newcomers will fit into the general scheme at St James's Park. At this early stage it appears that the City ought to fare no worse than they did last season. The chance is that they will do better. So much depends upon the new men, however, that it is difficult to make a definite prophesy either way.

HALF BACK LINE STRENGTHENED.
The defence, with three backs and a goalkeeper of the 1937-38 season again available looks to be "as you were." The half back line should be strengthened by the presence of Fellowes, a strong, experienced intermediate who, on his form with other teams, seems likely to bring a much needed stiffen ing to this department. Fellowes comes back to Devon with his big reputation for usefulness and consistency, and there is no reason at all why he should not retain it. Exeter's attack is the hardest branch of all to size up. The City club, mindful of flaws which manifest themselves in the second half of last season, have gone in for the most sweeping alterations in this department. Five of the nine recruits are forwards. In the main, they are youngsters who have their mark still to make in the Football League. For the sake of the club, the spectators, and the men themselves, it is to be hoped they succeed.
A CRITICAL SEASON.
The season ahead is a critical one. No longer does sentiment ensure the continuance of any club in membership of the Third Division of the Football League, and those which have been un lucky enough to apply for re-election in the past were forcibly made to realise this by Gillingham's unhappy fate. There is no disguising the fact that Exeter City simply cannot face another bad season with equanimity. The challenge from the outside clubs grows stronger and stronger, yet this in itself may be all to the good if it spurs the Grecians on to do some doughtier deeds. Exeter City was a name respected and feared among all the Third Division teams a few years ago. In the meantime there has been a sharp descent from that exalted position. The slide was, last term, partially arrested. May the club in the season now about to commence traverse more pleasant paths, ultimately to regain the prestige that was once theirs. But it will be an anxious business, and all sections will need to pull together. The plea of poor gates on the one hand, and the clamour for a winning team on the other lead to nowhere unless there is a real and wholehearted endeavour to bring both into actual being. During the summer the City received offers for one or more of their players. There was a board-room discussion on the offers, and an absolute refusal to accept. The state of the finances of the club would have justified the directors realising, but the view was held that they want to improve the team, if possible, and not go back. The player most in demand was Ebdon.
TRANSFER RUMOURS.
Ebdon's advance in the last month or two of 1937-38 (about the most pleasing feature of an otherwise drab back-end) has caused his name to be the subject of discussion beyond the confines of St James's Park. It is always the same whenever a young player starts to hit the headlines. The scouts get busy, and then the transfer rumours start. As recently as three weeks ago a London newspaper reported that Ebdon was the man for whom Tottenham were looking. And it is a fact, that although Tottenham themselves denied all knowledge of an approach to the City for Ebdon, that a London club in the Second Division of the League saw plenty to admire in the play of this young forward on a recent visit to St James's Park. Exeter's manager, Mr Jack English, in an interview expressed a view that the prospects were brighter this season. He referred to the fact that the club has kept the majority of the players who made the most notable contribution last season, and in the summer he has devoted his attention to strengthening existing weaknesses. For the start the City will probably rely on last year's team. It is only right, Mr English said, that those who we know should be given the earliest opportunity, but the new men will be drafted into the side as and when the moment arrives. appropriate
THE EX GRECIANS.
So much for the prospects. A word or two about the departures is also appropriate. Most of the City's unretained staff have fixed up. Tierney has gone to Crystal Palace, Topping to New Brighton, Davies to Walsall, W. Clarke to Southampton, Pope to Torquay, Coulston to Barnsley, Miles to Worcester, and McGill to Belfast Distillery. Ted McArthur has been transferred from Torquay United to Raith Rovers, and last week scored a goal in a Scottish Ist Division match against Partick Thistle.

The New Grecians
Nine new players have been engaged by Exeter City since the end of last season, and five are forwards. The club has also signed Stanley Barnes and Arthur Coles on professional forms, and it is expected that these two local products will develop, as they are now in full-time training. Both have played for Devon County and in F. A. Representative Teams. Barnes, like Bastin and Reg Clarke before him, is an ex Ladysmith Sohoolboy footballer, and has been on the the books of Exeter City for five years. Coles, who made two appearances in the League side last season, signed on as an amateur in October 1936. Brief references to the newcomers are appended: -
VINCENT BLORE (Goalkeeper).
Exeter City had to pay a small transfer fee for Vincent Blore, an experienced 'keeper, who has served Crystal Palace, West Ham United, and Derby County. It was from the Palace that he came to Exeter, and his form in the trials has been such as to indi cate that he will fill the bill. The curious cycle of transfers of goalkeepers between the City and Crystal Palace was completed when Blore signed for the Grecians, because previously a couple of goalkeepers (Chesters and Tierney) had made the move in the opposite direction.
JACK LITTLE (Full-back).
Described by Mr English as a defender who relies mainly upon correctness of method and shrewd positioning rather than dash, Little, who was born at Dunston-on-Tyne, had a couple of years at Northampton, and was an "ever-present" in his first season there. He went to Northampton when Mr Syd Puddefoot was manager of the "Cobblers," having previously played for Southport and Chester. Little was a regular first-team man with both of these Northern Section clubs, and he ought to render useful service to the City.
WILLIAM FELLOWES (Centre-half).
Fellowes, who was born at Bradford in March 1910, is the best known of Exeter's recruits, and his career makes interesting reading. Starting at Plymouth Argyle, he was ultimately given a free transfer. Then Clapton Orient stepped in, and Fellowes at once became a "big noise" among Third Division pivots. With designs on promotion, Luton Town came along, and paid a four figure fee to secure his transfer. At Luton, Fellowes was never out of the first team through loss of form, and he was one of the mainstays of the side. Hearing that he wanted to get back one of again to Devonshire so that he might devote closer attention to his business at Tavistock, Exeter negotiated, and were met with success in signing him in the face of keen competition.
STEVE WALKER (Left-half).
Walker, who was born at Sheffield in October 1914, was one of the outstanding players in the practice match, and is already a favourite with the crowd. This fair-haired, tall half-back has joined the City from Sheffield United, and previously assisted Gainsborough Trinity. Walker is the type to do well in Third Division football, for he is young and he is keen. He played a number of good games in Sheffield United's Central League side last season, and time may show that the Sheffielders acted with undue haste in giving him a free transfer.
LEONARD RICH (Outside-right or left).
Two-footed and fast, Rich has the advantage of being able to fill either wing position. A Westcountryman, he spent two and a half seasons with Luton, to which club he was transferred along with a contingent of Plymouth Argyle players, including Godfrey and Frank Sloan. He was a member of Luton's first team towards the end of the club's successful promotion campaign. Rich, who was born at Camelford on November 3rd 1912, first attracted the attention of the Argyle whilst playing as an amateur in the Plymouth and District League. Exeter sought his signature last season, and again the year before that.
ALEC TURNBULL (Outside or inside-right).
This well built young player is a nephew of Sandy Turnbull, the old Manchester United star, who was killed in the Great War. He was seen by Mr English towards the end of last season playing for Droylesden, the Lancashire Combination club, where he was on loan from Manchester City. Exeter City's manager saw in him the makings of a useful player, so he stepped in and fixed him up with a transfer to the Grecians. Previous to his coming to England Turnbull was with Albion Rovers, the Scottish League team. He is youthful and quick, and eager to learn.
SID GUERAN (Inside-forward).
Gueran is a scheming type of inside-forward who was little more than a boy when the Arsenal spotters got a line on his promise and capabilities. The result was that he was taken to Margate, then the Arsenal's nursery olub. From Margate he was engaged by Mr Tom Parker for Southampton. Gueran, who was born in August 1918, will have every chance to develop and fulfil his undoubted promise at Exeter.
G.GREEN (Inside-left).
An unlucky start has been made by this young forward, he having injured an ankle during the pre-season training. Green showed outstanding skill as a schoolboy footballer, and Bradford City found him a job on the ground staff, as they could not sign him on a professional form at the time because he was under 17. He then made the short journey from Valley Parade to Bradford Park Avenue, where he remained for a couple of seasons, and has now been engaged by Exeter on a month's trial.
R.MILLAR (Outside-left).
Millar was playing in Scottish Junior football with Benburb in season 1937-38, and is reputed to be one of the fastest men in the game. He has many running and sprinting successes to his credit in Scotland. His marksmanship and speed were impressive features of the practice match, and he could turn out to be the "surprise packet" of the new signings.

THE "LINE-UP":
FULL LIST OF CITY PLAYERS

Goalkeepers:- V.Blore, H. B. Church.
Backs:- W. Brown, A. Coles, J.Little, R. Wallace.
Half backs:- J.Angus, H. R. Bamsey, S. Barnes, H.Pollard, W.J.Shadwell, S. Walker. W. J. Fellowes,
Forwards: H. T. W. Bowl, W.Bussey, R.Ebdon, G. Green, S. Gueran, J.F.Liddle, R.Millar, L.T.Rich, A. Turnbull.

Amateurs
Goalkeeper:- Glover (local).
Backs:- W.Gater (local), S. Mellish (Lympstone).
Half backs:- Leach (Woodbury), C.Sutherley (Chudleigh).
Forwards:- R. Beasley (Lympstone), C. Braddon (local), J.Clarke (local), H.Griffiths (Whimple), H.Mewse (Lympstone), R.Southcombe (Bideford), K. Waldron (Paignton).

PUBLIC PRACTICE MATCH
Many Chances Missed
St James's Park, Exeter,
August 13th.

RED AND WHITE STRIPES 2 WHITES 2.

Four goals were shared in Exeter City's public trial, but many good chances were missed. Liddle and Ebdon scored for the Stripes, and Griffiths, a young and promising centre-forward from Whimple, netted twice for the Whites late in the game. The teams in the first half were:

Stripes:- Church; Brown and Wallace;
Shadwell, Fellowes, and Angus; Rich, Bussey, Bowl, Ebdon, and Liddle. Whites:- Blore; Mellish and Little; Coles, Bamsey, and Walker; Turnbull, Gueran, Pollard, Green, and Millar.

Referee:- Mr E.J.Spettigue.

Both teams underwent alteration at the interval. Fellowes, who opened the game out well with first-time passes to each wing in the first half, was replaced by W. Gater, a local who has had a trial with Bolton Wanderers, when the sides changed over. Changes in the Whites involved the substitution of Glover for Blore, and a re-shuffle of the attack, which brought Griffiths in for Pollard, who moved to inside-left in place of Green.
STRIPES SUPERIOR.
As a combination, the Stripes were a shade more impressive than their opponents, and their superiority was more in evidence in the first half. But a player who took the eye as much as anyone on the field was Walker, from Sheffield United. His tackling, judgment, and distribution of the ball were all first-class. The Whites also had a quick go-ahead winger in Turnbull, while Millar, with limited opportunities, showed that he can shoot. These three, with Fellowes, were the pick of the newcomers, and Blore was a safe and sound goalkeeper.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE JUBILEE MATCH
Eight Goals Scored at Home Park
Saturday, August 20th 1938.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 5
EXETER CITY 3.

The match for the Football League Jubilee (1888 to 1938), with the first teams of Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle opposing one another, provided a bright prelude to the season, and there was a spate of goalscoring. Both attacks were in good form, and the fact that the City were able to score three times is a matter for satisfaction in East Devon. The concession of five goals by the City defences does not make such pleasant reading, though in a game of thie sort it is unwise to make any hard and fast judgment concerning either team.

Argyle:- Davies; Kirkwood and Dyer; Gorman, McNeil, and T.Black; Dougan, Mitcheson, Hullett, Thomas, and Fletcher.
City: Church; Brown and Wallace; Shadwell, Fellowes, and Angus; Rich, Bussey, Bowl, Ebdon, and Liddle.

The Argyle led at the interval by 2 to nil (Hullet, Fletcher). Thomas followed with a third, and then Bussey and Bowl each got a goal within a couple of minutes. The subsequent order of scoring was Dougan two for the Argyle and Bowl one for Exeter. Rich should have increased the City's total, but shot over when only a yard or two from the goal. The attendance was 6,807 and the receipts £361. All the 88 clubs of the League were playing today, and the proceeds from the games go to the Jubilee Fund.

EXETER CITY RESERVES 8
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE RESERVES 1.

Nine goals, almost a free fight, the spectacle of an indignant spectator jumping the railings and invading the pitch to be quickly removed by a persuasive policeman, and spectators whose mood varied from enthusiastic appreciation of the City's efforts to the strongest disapproval of the tactics displayed by two members of the opposing side were the highlights of the match at St James's Park today between the reserve elevens of Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle. The fixture was a "friendly" match to supplement the Football League Jubilee Benevolent Fund but the atmosphere smacked of unfriendliness. Two thousand spectators (receipts £40) persistently barracked two members of the Argyle's half back line, and there were many insistent clamourings for one to be sent off the field. Both of these players ought to have exercised more restraint. One, who shall be nameless, was lucky that this was not a League match.

CITY RESERVES IMPRESSED.
The match programme stated that this was not a fullest strength Argyle second eleven. The team's performance confirmed it. The fluent, easy looking moves which are expected from the Argyle were missing. There was next to no culture about the Plymouth side's exhibition, only energy, wildness, and aimlessness. The traditional Plymouth Argyle craft was not there. It was a pity, because Exeter City Reserves played really good football. Had the opposition been up to the same standard this could have been an excellent game. Some of the City's passing and running into position caused the onlookers to sit up and take notice. The speed and precision of Exeter's raids in the first half swept the opposition off its feet. The Argyle were bewildered and overwhelmed by Exeter's storming opening. Within a quarter of an hour Turnbull, Pollard, and Millar all had scored. Before the interval Pollard netted two more and Millar got another. And each goal was a beauty. Brown scored for the Argyle just before the half-time whistle. Exeter continued to hold the mastery in the second half, and a pioture goal was scored by Millar, who took a pass from Turnbull perfectly and then worked his way into the middle to drive past Roberts, an uncertain goalkeeper, from close range. The City's tally was increased to eight when Bamsey converted a penalty awarded for a foul by Clark on Pollard.

City Reserves:- Blore; Mellish and Little; Coles, Bamsey, and Walker; Southcombe, Turnbull, Pollard, Gueran, and Millar.

• MORE EX GRECIANS.
  Further news of ex-Grecians is that Arthur Davies, who played against the City today, has rejoined Plymouth from Southport, and that Tom Holland, another old Exeter City goalkeeper, has left Gillingham for Shrewsbury Town. Fred Smith, given a free transfer by Gillingham, has joined up with Yeovil and Petters, and Fred Urmson has left Stalybridge Celtic for South Liverpool.