SATURDAY 21st AUGUST 1965.

BANKS SETS CITY HOPES SOARING.

EXETER CITY 4
Shearing; Smyth, Peapell; Mitchell, Harvey, Fulton; Welsh, Banks, McLean, Carter, Ley,

OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Swann; Ledger, McGinn; Holden, Holt, Bowie; Pennington, Frizzell, Jackson, Dearden, Bartley,

Scorers
Exeter City Welsh, Banks 2, McLean

Attendance 7,271.

A great start for Exeter, and an even greater start for inside forward Alan Banks, the Liverpool lad has been adopted by the Devon crowd as one of their own. He hit two goals in his first League game since breaking his leg midway through last season. The first in 20 minutes was a bit lucky, his shot with a geasy ball slid through Swann's hands. There was no luck about his second though just before half time. He beat two men, drew Swann and cracked the ball into an empty net. This put City two up at half time and more or less clinched the game Oldham fielding three newcomers never looked strong enough to do any real damageTheir defence was too easily split and their attacks were a series of solo efforts, with little finishing power, Frizzell had the two best chances, the first shot was brilliantly saved by Shearing, the second he miskicked in front of goal, ban Playing fast open football, Exeter swept on to take charge in the second half, within two minutes McLean headed in from Ley's corner kick. Then McLean and Banks worked a 66th minute chance which Welsh took with a low shot, City's other new man Peapell, showed up well at left back,

Jeff Tolchard was City's first ever sub, but not used,

Match Report 2
Saturday 21st August 1965
Third Division
Exeter City 4 Oldham Athletic 0

Attendance: 7,271

A great start to the season for Exeter City and an even greater start for inside-forward Alan Banks, as the Liverpool lad has been adopted by the St James' Park crowd as one of their own.

Banks hit two goals in his first League game since breaking his leg midway through the previous season. His first after 20 minutes, was a bit lucky, it has to be said his shot, with a greasy balls slipped through the hands of Oldham keeper Swann. There was no such luck about his second goal though just before half-timeBanks beat two men and drew Swann before cracking the ball into an empty netThis put City 2-0 in front at the interval and more or less clinched the game.

Oldham, fielding three newcomers, never looked strong enough to do any real damage. Their defence was too easily split and their attacks were a series of solo efforts with little finishing power. Frizzell had the two best chances, his first shot being brilliantly saved by Peter Shearing, and the second when he miskicked in front of goal.

Playing fast open football Exeter swept on to take charge in the second halfWithin two minutes George McLean headed home George Ley's corner kick. Then McLean and Banks worked a 66th minute chance which Eric Welsh took with a low shot to make it 4-0.

The Grecians' other new summer signings, Dennis Peapell showed up well at left-back, whilst winger Jeff Tolchard was City's first ever substitute but not used.

City team:
Peter Shearing, Cecil Smyth, Dennis Peapell, Arnold Mitchell, Keith Harvey, Bryce Fulton, Eric Welsh, Alan Banks, George McLean, Wilf Carter, George Ley.

Western League 

SALISBURY CITY 4
Stevens; Waters, Fitch; Gilbert, Rutter, Davidson; Pask, Ambrose, Harley, Knight, Cranmer.

EXETER CITY RESERVES 0
Davis; Taylor, Arbury; Rice, Balson, Rees; Stuckey, Riding, House, Richardson, Copp.

Scorers
Salisbury Rutter, Knight, Harley, Pask,

Exeter City took a gamble when they fielded ten teenagers with an average age of just under 18 at Salisbury. The score sheet and the game itself say that the gamble failed, But this large dose of young blood which was injected into the Exeter ranks held forth a great deal of promise for the future, the City youngsters losing no honour in their effort to hold a determined Salisbury outfit whose average age was probably six years higher, The Salisbury goals came from Rutter (23 minutes) from the penalty spot, Knight (30), Harley (39) and Pask (74), Mike Balson, 17 year old former Bridport centre half had an excellent game for City, as did 16 year old goalkeeper Peter Davis. Main driving force behind the Exeter attack was Graham Rees, the only non teenager in the side, who at 26 was the most energetic player on the field.

CITY'S SPRINGBOARD SEASON.

"This is our springboard season" is the promise from Chairman Mr Reg Rose and his board of directors to every Exeter City supporter and it is a promise that cannot be lightly brokenFor the St James's Park fans have now got faith in the men who told them "We shall consolidate in the Third Division" and did it, and "Our financial position has never been so good" and produced a £9,000 profit. Everything that happens at Exeter this season will be governed by the wants and the neccessities of the first team. HAP Mr Rose said today "We want to make progress s from all angled, but everything we do will be governed by what happens out there on the pitch, if the team clicks almost right away, then we can use our resources to expand in other directions, if manager Ellis Stuttard comes along to us and says that the team needs strengthening we shall back him up. We must make progress, we have no intention of
sliding,"

MONDAY 23rd AUGUST 1965. 

AMALGAMATION OF SUPPORTERS CLUBS.

Exeter City's two supporters bodies, The Grecians association and the Supporters club have amalgamated. The Grecians were formed over 21 years ago whilst the supporters club is just 13 months old. The new body is to be known as the Exeter City Supporters club incorporating the Grecian association, which will mean a total membership of 7,500. The committees of both will continue to work seperately but three members of each will sit on the others committee, The amalgamation was decribed by the Grecians chairman as one that will be beneficial to all supporters and the future of Exeter City. Supporters club chairman commented he was extremely pleased with the amalgamtion.