SEASON 1959-1960:

MONDAY 1st JUNE 1959.

CITY F. C. SPECIAL MEETING.

The City board of directors have issued the following statement:-"With reference to the statement on Saturday issued by the chairman of Exeter City F,C, regarding the financial status of the club, a special meeting of the board of directors was held yesterday morning to consider several innacuracies in this report, In order to clarify the matter the chairman was asked to meet two members of the board at his Falmouth residence but this he has declined to do." Mr Line today commented that he has been requested to meet the rest of the City board, but he is still confined to bed with a chest illness, It was unfair to expect him to make hasty decisions or even discuss the matter until he is up, fit and well again. He went on to say that he thought his two year record with the club should be sufficient for him to gain some respect in his illness, especially as the illness was brought on through his anxiety for the club's well being last season.

BID FAILS.

Exeter City's bid to get their reserves into the Football Combination next season has failed. Shrewsbury who pipped City for promotion to Division Three also just pipped them to the combination, Shrewsbury polled 19 votes to City's 15. The club will try again next year,

TUESDAY 2nd JUNE 1959.

CITY F.C. CHAIRMAN TO RESIGN.

From his sick bed in his Falmouth Hotel where he is suffering from chronic bronchitis and asthma, Mr A.S.Line, chairman of Exeter City F.C, has announced his intention to resign, Acting on medical advice, he has consulted with Exeter City president Mr S.H. Thomas and told him he is prepared to resign as the club chairman subject to certain conditions. Tonight Exeter City's board will hold their second meeting in three days from which they will issue a full statement on the situation within Exeter City F.C. Mr Line will not attend the meeting on doctors advice who said that the chairman's health must come first and it was essential that Mr Line had a complete rest.

WEDNESDAY 3rd JUNE 1959.

NO PRICE RISES SAY CITY BOARD.

The Exeter City board of directors met a few hours after Mr Line made his shock announcement to resign from the chairmanship of the club. Their intention had been to investigate certain things and issue a full statement on the alleged inaccuracies in one of Mr Line's statements regarding club finances, but their statement after a meeting lasting nearly three hours was:- "The board of directors of Exeter City F.C, state that in view of Mr Line's statement announcing his intention to resign the chairmanship of the club, they consider no good purpose will be served by further commentWith reference to the statements regarding the probability of increased prices for next season, the board were unaminous in deciding that all prices will remain the same as for last season," Mr Line is not quitting the club, he hopes to stay on as a director depending on his health. He has not resigned as chairman yet, but the club expect to recieve this in writing for tomorrow's board meeting when they will officially accept or reject it

FRIDAY 5th JUNE 1959.
GEORGE GILLIN NEW CITY CHAIRMAN.

At their fourth meeting in eight days the Exeter City board of directors elected Torquay Hotelier Mr George Gillin as their new chaiman, They accepted Mr A.S.Line's resignation as chairman with thanks for his past services to Exeter City F.C, and sent good wishes for his speedy recovery to health, Mr Gillin said that the future policy of the club would always be governed by finance and during the past few weeks it had been necessary for himself and other directors to make substantial loans to the club to meet commitments during the close season, The club's aim was still to win promotion and supporters could be rest assured that no effort would be spared to reach this objectiveThe club needs gound improvements and new players, but while there is no major ground improvement scheme under way, the directors will do what they can. The ground will be generally cleaned and smartened up, there will be 300 new railway sleepers for the popular bank where there was little or no terracing, Mr Gillin said that the team will be strengthened although obviously there is not going to be much, if any money available for buying players until the start of the season, it looks as if Exeter City will have to sell or rely on the men that Mr Gillin and the board can bring here by their own contacts,

FRIDAY 19th JUNE 1959.

CITY PLAYERS TERMS ADJUSTED.

After last night's meeting of the Exeter City board of directors it was confirmed that they have adjusted the sliding incentive wage scale for the okayers contracts next season. They have improved on the proposed £5 drop from First to Second team which most of the first team men were not perpared to acceptThe board state that the wages scale now compares with most god clubs and are far better than some, City have lost one of their promising youngsters, Alan Willey has signed for Bridgwater Town, but three players have re-signed, Brian Lightly who is due to finish National service in September, and so has Jack Gilchrist who came to City on loan from Portsmouth, he has been posted aboad on his Army service, but is due for demob soon. The third player to re-sign is Peter Rapley,

TUESDAY 23rd JUNE 1959.
BIDEFORD SIGN SWORD.

Bideford F.C today announced the signing of Alan Sword the former Exeter City forward who has for several seasons played for Bridgwater Town where he was top scorer two seasons ago.

THURSDAY 25th JUNE 1959. TRIBUTES TO SID THOMAS.

"Few men in the world of soccer can pass through this vast experience" that was how Exeter City chairman Mr George Gillin paid tribute to the President Mr Sydney Thomas who was guest of honour at a special club dinner last night, Mr Gillin described Mr Thomas's 51 years of soccer career from amateur player to club president and said he always found hm a true and fair sportsman in every way. The dinner was attended by all available directors and ex directors, Mr. Gillin presented the president with a solid gold wrist watch and bracelet on their and the club's behalf. In reply Mr Thomas gave something of the history of the club from its beginning as St Sidwells Weslyan United in 1901.

FRIDAY 26th JUNE 1959. OLDHAM WANT ROBERTSON.

Ex-Exeter City manager Norman Dodgin has been back in the City in the last few days after City's free transfer player David Robinson. He has made an offer to the player to join Oldham.

CITY SIGN TWO IRISH LEAGUE PLAYERS.

Exeter City have signed two 19 year old Irish lads both recommended by the same scout that sent Theo Foley over here from Home Farm, James Emery is an inside right from Distillery and City beat four other clubs including Derby County for his signature because they have given him the chance to sign on as a professional, With him comes Brendon McLoughlin, a centre half or left back from Coelraine, This 6ft, 11st, 121b. lad is signed on amateur forms but he will be given the chance to sign professional after a short trial. Both will be arriving just before the City players report back for training on July 28th,

NICHOLLS GOES TO WORCESTER.

Exeter City have agreed to transfer ex-England inside forward Johnny Nicholls, whom they brought from Cardiff City for £5,000 two seasons ago. The man who has signed him is ex City manager Bill Thompson now at Worcester City. The fee has been described as satisfactory to Exeter City" by the Exeter City board,

WEDNESDAY 1st JULY 1959.

Free transfer listed City winger, David Robinson signed for Oldham Athletic today to rejoin Exeter City manager Norman Dodgin,

FRIDAY 3rd JULY 1959.
FOLEY OFFER REJECTED.

Exeter City have turned down an offer from a First Division club for rightback Theo Foley, It is understood that the interested club, Birmingham City may make a further bidMr George Gillin said although that the club does not wish to stand in the players way, it is Exeter City's policy to retain their youth players if they can, Ground improvements at St James's Park are under way. Estimates have been asked for several jobs and a new "Stretcher" entrance has already been built for the dressing rooms


FRIDAY 10th JULY 1959.

CITY PAY OUT £4,000.

Things are moving fast at St James's Park with Exeter City laying out £4,000 and still looking for new players £2000 will go to pay outside creditors in the City and the other £2,000 will be spent on more improvements to the ground and stands, Negotiations are proceeding for the signing of an experienced inside forward with a Third Division club, Manager Frank Broome has fancied him for some time. Other signings to strengthen the City forward line are expected, The ground improvements will be re-seating for the three sections of the enclosure, complete re-roofing where necessary on the popu;lar side, new partitions between the scholl and popular side and 300 new railway sleepers for the popular terracing. All this would be carried out by an independant firm, while City's own groundstaff are busily working on their own repairs all over the ground

MONDAY 13th JULY 1959.

CITY AND SWINDON AGREE TERMS.

Exeter City and Swindon Town have agreed terms for the Robins experienced inside forward Andy Micklewright and the player is expected to arrive in Exeter today to look the City over, Micklewright product of Birmingham Works League football has been with Bristol Rovers and joined Swindon Town from Bristol City in 1955. The player is 5ft 8in and weighs 12st. He can play in any of the inside forward positions. A small fee has been agreed for his transfer.

TUESDAY 14th JULY 1959.

Andy Micklewright signed last night for Exeter City. The Swindon Town inside forward will be back in Exeter in a few weeks time to move house,

FRIDAY 24th JULY 1959.
CARDIFF KEEPER FOR CITY.

Cardiff City reserve goalkeeper John Allan Jones will play for Exeter City next season, Jones, 20, has joined City on a free transfer. Signed from the Wrexham area he joined Cardiff straight from school and has four Welsh Youth International caps.

SATURDAY 25th JULY 1959.
CITY SIGN ARGYLE HALF BACK.

Exeter City today signed 20 year old Peter Williams from Plymouth Argyle a right or left half back, He is the brother of Argyle's first team winger Johnnny Williams and is at present serving in the forces. He played for Plymouth in the South Western League and also made a number of appearances in the reserves
side,

MONDAY 27th JULY 1959.
OLIVER WANTED.

Burton Albion have made a tentative offer for Exeter City centre half Ken Oliver, but it is unlikely that City will let him go. Burton did not mention any fee that they were prepared to pay for Oliver,

FRIDAY 31st JULY 1959.
CITYS MISSING IRISH PLAYERS.

Exeter City's two lost Irishmen have been found, Manager Frank Broome spent two days searching for the two 19 year old Irish League signings James Emery and Brendon McLoughlin who were expected in Exeter last Sunday. Yesterday they had still failed to appear when other City players reported at St James's Park for training. A cable was sent to Belfast in the hope of tracing them from the Irish end, then last night in walked the two new signings. The explanation today from Mr Broome was that there had been a mix up in the dates.

SWEDNESDAY 29th JULY 1959. CITY PLAYERS DAY OUT.

Confidence in Exeter City's chances in the next season were expressed by the chairman George Gillin at a dinner which wound up the club's pre-season day out yesterday. City skipper Arnold Mitchell said that everyone pulling together would give the club a wonderful chance of winning promotion. The players, directors and a number of other people connected with the running of the club had lunch at Moretonhampstead, Heavy rain after lunch prevented most from taking advantage of the local golf course, the City's star golfers Mitchell and Oliver being the only two to complete 18 holes. The day ended with dinner at Torquay,

FRIDAY 31st JULY 1959.

IRISH AMATEUR CAP NOT FOR CITY.

One possible signing which Exeter City will now make is that of 21 year old Irish Amateur International Robin Traynor, the Coleraine right winger, yesterday he signed for Southern league club Corby Town in preference to Exeter City.

At last night's board meeting, Exeter City directors handed out praise to the groundsman Sonny Clarke. In the chairman's opinion, he had never seen the St James's Park pitch looking so good, Ground improvements are now well under way, new seating for the enclosure has been completed,

EXETER CITY TO VISIT RENNES NEXT YEAR?

There will be no trip to France for Exeter City before this season opens, Manager Frank Broome has heard from Rennes F.C, that it would not be possible in the time availabe to arrange pre-season matches between the clubs. The City hope to fix up two pre-season matches next year, Mr Broome isn ot in favour of pre-season practice matches and is much more enthusiastic for games against other clubs, to give the players a true test.

SATURDAY 1st AUGUST 1959.
BERT HOYLE TO WATCH AND ADVISE.

Bert Hoyle, former Exeter City goalkeeper and now Bristol Rovers West Country scout is taking an interest in the fecently formed Exmouth Amateur F.CHe is to watch them throughout the season and give advice to the players. Any promising player will be considered for a trial with Bristol Rovers,

SUNDAY 2nd AUGUST 1959.

Annual Cricket match 

EXETER C.C, 215-5
EXETER CITY F,C 177 

FRIDAY 7th AUGUST 1959.
CITY FANS IN FOR A SURPRISE.

Exeter City supporters are in for quite a pleasant surprise when he takes his place on the terraces in a couple of weeks time. At least there will be a non leaking roof over his head and under the popular cover some new sleepers and firm banking to stand on, Around the rest of the ground, things have generally been painted, polished and cleaned up, there will be new seats in front of the stand proper. The club is doing all that it can to look after the supporters comfort,

MONDAY 10th AUGUST 1959.
PLYMSTOCK YOUTH JOINS CITY.

Exeter City signed 19 year old Peter Bennett from Plymstock on professional forms this morning. A 6'2" centre forward he is not a newcomer to St James's Park, he had several useful South Western League games there last season.

TUESDAY 11th AUGUST 1959. BIDEFORD RELEASE SAMMY BOOTH.

Former Exeter City player and currently player/manager of Bideford has been released from his contract so he can return to Londonderry with his family to live, Booth left Exeter City in March 1955 to succeed former Exeter City man Ray Goddard as player/manager of Bideford. It is likely that Booth vill take over as manager at Derry City, the club he joined Exeter City from.

FRIDAY 14th AUGUST 1959.
CITY PRACTICE GAME IS OFF.

There will be no public trial game for Exeter City fans tomorrow. The heavy rain of the last few days has forced the club to call it off. The ground is in such good condition it would be a tragedy to play on it after all this rain and ruin it before the season had started. It is possible that a trial game will be arranged during next week. 26 year old Mr Brian King who lives at 47 Rosebery Road, Exmouth has been an Exeter City supporter for years but it was only this week that he met any of the players or manager Frank BroomeFor Mr Broome heard that Brian is in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital with his right leg amputated just above the knee after a motor cycle accident on the Exeter by pass while on his honeymoon a few weeks ago. Back at St James's Park the City manager told the players about their bed ridden fan and an immediate whip round produced a large basket of fruit which Brian received yesterday when the manager and his players visited him.

EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB THIS COULD BE A VITAL SEASON FOR THE CITY

This season could be just about the most vital in the history of the City club. This year can decide whether they continue the pursuit of their progressive programme or slide back to become a Fourth Division nonentity and maybe even disappear from football entirely. For it is a fact that clubs continually at the bottom of the Fourth Division in the next few years will eventually be thrown out to make way for the enterprising clubs outside it, such as Peterborough, to name only one, or be forced out by financial collapse. At the moment Exeter City's future looks very bright, and their new progressive programme started when Mr A.S.Line took over. It has been carried on to the pitch by the manager, Mr F.Broome, and the trainers, Messrs E.Nash and D.Pryde. And in a matter of eighteen months these men took the side from a place almost at the bottom of the division to a spot just one away from promotion.

THE SECOND CHANCE
But this is the season which decides whether or not Exeter's effort has reached its peak. The club must not slide back. Everyone at St. James's Park is determined that it won't. On or off the Off the field, the new board, under its chairman, Mr George Gillin, has spent £5,000 this summer in ground improvements, and in paying off local creditors. And they have plans to make the grandstand and terraces even more comfortable for the City's supporters. On the field they admit that they have much the same team as last year. But last year they only just failed to make the grade. So the same side could do as well, or even better, this year. But if they don't theclub is ready to buy. Mr Gillin and the board have stated that they are optimistic that the club can go one better this season and bring Third Division football to Exeter. While the personnel has not been changed very much they feel that the side which did so well last season should be given another chance this season. And it is a fact that a little more bite in the forward line towards the close of last season could have resulted in a successful conclusion. The board assures the club's supporters that if the same thing were to happen again this year they will not hesitate to go into the market, if necessary.

SPORT AND BUSINESS

Football may be a sport, but at the same time business acumen must play a large part. Exeter City's wages bill is roughly £500 per week, and it is obvious that without aid the club would be struggling, and they wish to avoid the sort of financial crisis they passed through in the past few months. The first (Northampton) hurdle is tough. The next (Stockport, away) may be tougher. It is the opinion of the board that if they can get over these then they can face the future with confidence.

PRACTICE GAME FORM
Those who saw the practice game should have a pretty good idea of the City's close-season acquisitions. Andy Micklewright is obviously a potential first-team inside forward and a goal poacher. Alan Jones is a goalkeeper in the John Lobbett style who looked very competent. Brendon McLaughlin is a young centre half whose positional sense is very sound. He is a very good header of the ball. Jim Emery, the Irish inside forward, created a great impression and seemed untiring. His enthusiasm for the game was infectious, and he appears to be a very fine prospect. Peter Bennett is a tall centre or inside forward of promise. His idea of constructive play was excellent, and he packs a hefty shot. The rest are old faces with known ability, but the manager thinks they will be stronger this season than last.

Three players have left Exeter for other clubs. David Robinson will be seen in the colours of Oldham Athletic this season, John Nicholls has returned to his native west midlands as a Worcester City player, and Eddie Holehouse, a promising young goalkeeper, has joined Bristol City.

PLAYERS SIGNED ON

George Hunter John Lobbett Charles Rutter Allan Jones Theo Foley Les MacDonald Brian Whitnall Arnold Mitchell David Butterworth Ken Oliver Keith Harvey Norman Packer Jimmy Thompson Peter Rapley Mike Cleverly Ray Cragg Nelson Stiffle Graham Rees Barry Pulman Ted Calland Dilwyn Hill Peter Bennett Andy Micklewright Trevor Atkins Brian Birch Gordon Dale Bobby Rackley 

Practice match at St James's Park, Exeter. Tuesday August 18th 1959.
WHITES (Stiffle, Rees) 2 BLUES 0.

Whites:- Lobbett; Foley, Whitnall; Mitchell, Oliver, Thompson; Stiffle, Rees, Calland, Micklewright, Dale.

Blues:- Jones; Rutter, MacDonald; Butterworth, McLaughlin, Cleverly; Atkins, Emery, Hill, Birch, Rackley.

Teams in the second half

Whites: Jones; Rutter, MacDonald; Mitchell, Packer, Thompson; Stiffle, Birch, Calland, Micklewright, Dale.

Blues:- Lobbett; Foley, Whitnall; Cragg, Harvey, Cleverly; Atkins, Emery, Bennett, Rees, Rackley.