Wrexham City v Exeter City 

August 20th 1966

SATURDAY 20th AUGUST 1966.

WREXHAM 0
Schofield; Mason, Stacey, Oldfield, Mielczarek, Towell; Griffiths, McMillan, McLoughlin, Evans, Carrick.

EXETER CITY 0.
Jones; Smyth, Ley; Wilkinson, Harford, Thompson; Godfrey, Keeley, McLean, Kennedy, McNeil,

Attendance: 7,133,

With five new players in the side, City opened the season at Wrexham with a goalless draw which was uninspiring but for which they worked hard, Some of the forward line movement was a big improvement on last season, but at the moment City still lack finish. The  two star men were newcomers, Ken Jones, who played magnificently in spite of a leg injury which handicapped him for most of the game, and Ken Thompson, who was by far, the most cultured player in the Exeter team, There are still one or two improvements that could be made, but on this showing Jock Basford appears to have built the basis of a young and useful City side, Exeter pushed forward from the start but Wrexham pulling eight men back in defence, were going to be difficult to penetrate, McLoughlin almost scored for Wrexham but his header hit the underside of the crossbar, In the second half Jones, while his leg was being strapped was severely handicapped in going for high crosses. City were under pressure for most of the half, with Dixie McNeil making an occasional break. He was unlucky with a 25 yard shot that hit a post, Neither side could penetrate each others defence resulting in á stalemate,

UNINSPIRING OPENING TO SEASON.

With five new players in the side Exeter City opened the new season at Wrexham with a goalless draw that was not very inspiring, but for which they had at least worked hard. Some of the play in the forward line, despite the absence of goals was a big improvement on last season's, but at the moment the City lack finish. Exeter's two best men were two of the newcomers, the goalkeeper,
Ken Jones, and the left half, Ken Thompson. The latter, by far the most cultured footballer in the City team, was strong in defence and constructive in attack. There are still one or two positions in the team which could do with improvement, but judged from this game Exeter seem to have built up a young and useful side.

Team:- Jones; Smyth, Ley; Wilkinson, Harford, Thompson; Godfrey, Keeley, McLean, Kennedy, and McNeil.

Result Wrexham 0 Exeter City 0.

WESTERN LEAGUE.

At St James's Park Exeter City Reserves beat Taunton by two goals to nil.

EXETER CITY 2 TAUNTON TOWN 0,

City Res:- Smout; Embury, Goad; Mustard, Balson, Buckingham; Stuckey, Evans, Elliott, West, and Smith.
Taunton 
Parkhill; Davis, Parsons; Payne, Cunningham, Sage; Edwards, Sells, Watts, Rackley, Thorne,

Scorers:
Exeter; Embery, Smyth,
Attendance: 389,

City played some neat football and well deserved this victory. Both goals came in the second half, Ben Embery following up a corner kick headed in the first after 70 minutes, and ten ainutes later Cecil Smyth got the second.

THE GRECIANS ASSOCIATION.

In 1945 eight ardent supporters of Exeter City got together and each put five shillings in the
kitty to start the Grecians Association, They called themselves the Grecians because the Football Club had been known by that name since 1908. The good work started by these supporters is still being carried out by new members, although three of the founder members are still active. During the 10 years of it's existence, the Association has raised nearly £25,000, most of which was passed onto the club directly in cash, The balance was spent on ground improvements in the shape of the Norman Kendall and Grecian Gates,, and the original floodlighting system. In addition a medical room was equipped with apparatus for the treatment of injured players and more recently the installation of a completely new treating and hot water system for the dressing rooms was provided. The money was raised in many and varied ways, dances, 2d on the ball, jackpot, highest score cards, xmas draws, and bingo (still a money spinner even after nearly 10 years), The Red and White Club was managed from it's inception by a committee composed of Grecian members but when the club was firmly established it was mutally agreed that it should be distinctly separate organisation and it has remained so ever since, The aim of the Grecians is still to help the football club and in view of their past record, it is felt that they are held in high esteem by the followers of Exeter CityIn May 1965it was decided to join forces with the supporters club so that fund raising activities and services to the public on the ground could be more effectively co-ordinated,

CITY ARE RARING TO GO.

In the past ten weeks Exeter City have somehow managed to bridge the most dangerous gap in football, the Summer slump that casts it's shadow over every relegation sideEverybody has been itching for today's startThe directors have enough faith in their staff and this must surely mean manager Jock Basford, to believe that if anything their investments are safer now, Mr Basford just confirmed as manager can concentrate all his energies on the players, As for a lower standard of football, the players believe that it will be better and as most of the nine newcomers are youngsters, from higher grade clubs, this should be so, The supporters, after so many years of promise and failures fro about the new set up and new the new wave of enthusiasm throughout the team, Most seem pretty optimistic new ideas. Mr Basford has siad that supporters must bear with the team in it's early days, most of the players are youngsters who are city are going to shoot back into the down. The whole business requires Patience, No one Imagines that City ar, effort, and enthusika