EXETER CITY RIDE THE UPSETS AND BLOWS.

BUT STAY IN THE THIRD DIVISION.


The last week of the football season was a busy one for Exeter City, who beat Swindon in a friendly, lost to Bournemouth in the League, beat Plymouth Argyle for the Devon Bowl, and finally rounded it off with a friendly at Ladymead-road, Tiverton, where they defeated the local side by 7 goals to 2.

The only thing now remaining is the retained and transfer list, to be published early next week. The list might contain a couple of mild shocks, but with none of the impact of some of the events at St James's Park in the 1964-65 season.

SATISFACTION.

It started with satisfaction at being a step up, in Division Three for the first time, interest and speculation about some of the new opposition that would be met, and anxiety in case the team should not be strong enough to hold what had been won. Signings in the summer were neither numerous nor expensive. Peter Shearing came from Portsmouth on a free transfer, and Bryce Fulton and Wilf Carter came from Plymouth Argyle for small fees.

It did not seem too strong an injection considering the club's new status. But the manager at that time, Mr Jack Edwards, was rightly determined to give the promotion winning side a chance to prove their worth again. It looked as if they had done it with a tremendous 4-2 home win over Peterborough in the first game and an away draw in the next, at Bournemouth. But form turned out to be patchy and unpredictable, and goals were harder to get than ever. So hard, that at one stage, centre-half Keith Harvey was the club's joint second highest scorer.

ONLY HALF AN ATTACK.

A lot of this was due to the injuries to the top goal-getter, Alan Banks. Without him the City only had half an attack, sometimes not even that.

Internally things suddenly erupted with the dismissal of Mr Keith Honey from the secretaryship, the hiring of the League's only lady secretary, Mrs Patricia Smith, and then her dismissal as well. In February Mr Richard Miller, the son of the old City favourite of prewar days, Charlie Miller, was appointed secretary, he having for some time been the driving force of the Grecians' Association. Things had hardly settled down when another bombshell fell. It was the resignation of the manager, Mr Edwards. This was followed in double quick time by the placing on the transfer list of the City's star player, Alan Banks, at his own request, who stated that he was not happy at the club because things there were not very good. Then came the speculation, rumours, and arguments which did not end until Mr Ellis Stuttard, a former Plymouth Argyle and Torquay full back and the nephew of Ellis Crompton, another old City favourite of bygone days, was given the job. And just after Mr Stuttard had taken over Alan Banks broke his leg, and the City really had problems then, on the field as well as off.

CONFIDENCE.

The new manager (Exeter's tenth since the war) was confident and of the opinion that the club would stay in the Third Division probably without any additions to the playing staff. As it turned out he was right on both counts, although the City had tried to sign Reg Blore from Blackburn Rovers, Don Reby from Derby County, and George McLean from Grimsby Town amongst others. A bigger personal tragedy than Banks's broken leg, of course, was the injury which has caused Barry Redwood to give up the game. One of the City's really promising young forwards, highly rated by everyone, Redwood was told either to quit football or risk permanent eyesight damage. Off the field things still were not too quiet. The Board called a special shareholders' meeting to float a new company, to which the shareholders agreed, but there is still no defenite answer yet from either the League or the Football Association.

STILL IN CONTENTION.

And through all this ran the thread of dissention over the position regarding the Supporters' Clubhouse which was to have been built in Old Tiverton Road behind the club property, and this is still in contention. That just about brings the affairs of Exeter City up to date. Exeter have escaped relegation fairly comfortably. And the chairman, Reg Rose, has already promised that Mr Stuttard will have more backing than any manager has previously had from any City board in the past in his efforts at team strengthening during the summer. Looking over the part of the season in which he has been in charge Mr Stuttard conceded the bad luck of Banks's injury because Banks is a match-winner and that it is a cruel blow to any club to lose that sort of a man. But he is still puzzled by one feature of the team's performances, the gap in home and away form, which this season had run in reverse to that of most sides. Lately the City have been playing better and doing better away than they have at home, getting just as many points. In the last five away matches they have been unbeaten. But from the last five home games only two points have been taken, both as the result of draws. The last three matches at St James's Park have all been lost. It is difficult, or more truthfully impossible, to come up with a ready answer. But if it is any consolation Bristol Rovers at least are in the same boat. For they played twice as well here on Easter Monday as they did on their own ground on Good Friday. There will be plenty of searching for new talent during the summer months, and the primary target will be wing halves and inside men. The City's priority is to have at least three new players in the first team next season, and that all the men who come here will be potential first teamers or very young players. There will be no more "half and half" men who might "make it," but who in reality spend almost all their footballing time playing in the reserves.

End of season diary 

SATURDAY 1st MAY 1965.

CITY RELEASE SEVEN PLAYERS.

Exeter City are releasing seven of their twenty full time professionals, and five of those are defenders and five of the seven released are on the open to offers list, Derek Grace, David Hancock, Roy Patrick, Peter Rutley, and Adrian Thorne. The other two players released are on free transfers, Les MacDonald and Barry Redwood. The release of Barry Redwood is merely a formality having already been advised to give up the game, City have retained thirteen professioanls, two part-time professionals (Graham Rees, and Alan Riding), plus five apprentices. Retained are Barnett, Shearing, Fulton, Smyth, Anderson, Harvey, Mitchell, Banks, Carter, Curtis, Ley, Rees, Riding, Stuckey, and Welsh,

TUESDAY 4th MAY 1965.

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS.

Mr Reg Rose, chairman of Exeter City Football Club has summarised the season as follows: "Another year has passed with it's full quota of troubles, trials, and tribulations, another year of effort, of varied fortune, What has been achieved ? Our Football Club has done what it promised to do. Our finances are better, our assets more substantial. We have made friends, and our supporters club has already carved a niche in the fortunes of Exeter City F.CNext season could well be our season, We could add too our strength and quite conceivably be knocking at the door of a higher divisionAll this, even if wishful thinking means work, more cash for the club, more cash for the players if necessary. More cash from every source that we can possibly tap. Let us make the 1965-66 season an epic one of endeavour and success,"

WEDNESDAY 5th MAY 1965.

CITY SIGN SEVEN AMATEURS, Following a private trail game at St James' Park last night, Exeter City manager Ellis Stuttard signed seven players on amateur forms, They were goalkeeper Allen Trump from Exeter, a 16 year old. Defender Alan Goad, 16, also from Exeter, 17 year old Mike Balson from Bridport, a wing half, Peter Hammacott from Tiverton, a 16 year old left winger, Robert Ring,15 year old inside forward from Exeter, Brian Dickinson, 15 year old inside forward also from Exeter, and a Sidmouth 15 year old, Derek Cody, a right winger.

MONDAY 10th MAY 1965.

PORTALS WINGER SIGNS FOR CITY

Exeter City manager Ellis Stuttard travelled to Newton Abbot on Saturday for a Devon Senior Cup Final tie. He signed Portals Atheltic winger, John Copp, a Plymouth born lad on amateur forms, He works as an apprentice in Devonport DockyardMr Stuttard said that he was one of the best amateur prospects he had seen for some time, The City manager also signed three other amateurs, David Cleave, 16 year old inside forward from Moretonhampstead, who played for Bovey Tracey last season, 15 year old Plymouth wing half Michael White, and his team mate from the Ford Youth Club, centre half, Barry Popplestone.

WEDNESDAY 12th MAY 1965.

NEW VICE CHAIRMAN FOR EXETER CITY.

At a twenty minute meeting last night, the directors of Exeter City voted for a new Vice Chairman, Mr John Rodgers, one of the youngest members of the board and former Totnes businessman, He replaces Torquay hotelier Mr George Gillin who has held the office since his election in 1959, and has now reverted to an ordinary director.

SATURDAY 15th MAY 1965.

CITY AFTER WELSH INTERNATIONAL.

Former Welsh International inside forward Derek Tapscott is Exeter City's first close season target. He may take some persuading to sign for both he and his wife are more or less settled in Wales, Tapscott, born in Barry, made his league debut for Arsenal in 1954, he joined Cardiff City in 1958 and is now on their transfer list.

MONDAY 17th MAY 1965

GILLIN FOR PLYMOUTH ARGYLE ?

For the second time in eleven months Mr George Gillin, Exeter City director, has had his name linked with Plymouth Argyle, Last July he was approached by Argyle to join their board of directors but he turned the offer downRecently he has had further talks with Plymouth, a fact that City chairman Reg Rose confirmed today.

THURSDAY 21st MAY 1965.

Former Exeter City full back Geoff Hudson who was recently given a free transfer by Gillingham has joined Lincoln. 

MONDAY 24th MAY 1965.

CITY PLAYERS LINKED WITH MANAGERS VACANCY.

Exeter City's two transfer listed full backs Les MacDonald and Roy Patrick have both been recommended for the vacant Player-manager's job at Southern League Weymouth, The Dorset club circularised clubs asking for recommendations and Exeter City boss Ellis Stuttard has put forward the names of both his listed backs. Although both players said they would like to stay in the Football League, they were definitely interested in the Weymouth post,

WEDNESDAY 2nd JUNE 1965:

Dave Hancock, the 26 year old transfer listed utility player has had to turn down a £30 per week part time soccer offer from Canada for the Summer because Exeter City will not waive his fee. The offer Came from the Inter Roma club of Toronto, but they were only prepared to take him on a free transfer.

NO CANADIAN TRIP FOR DAVE.

SATURDAY 5th JUNE 1965.

CITY F.C. TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING,

Exeter City chairman Reg Rose has answered rumours that some dissatisfied shareholders want to call a special meeting, by announcing that the board are already preparing to call an extraordinary general meeting of their ownA story has been circulating that shareholders wanted to call a meeting so that they could get a report of the club's financial position.

WEDNESDAY 9th JUNE 1965.

CITY SHAREHOLDERS GROUP PLAN MEETING.

Exeter City secretary Dick Miller would make no comment today when faced with a statement from director George Gillin that a group of disatisfied shareholders are to call a special extraordinary meeting. From his Torquay hotel, Mr Gillin, said today that the club have received notice from a group of shareholders who hold the necessary five per cent of club shares entitling them to call such a meeting.

THURSDAY 10th JUNE 1965.

GILLIN WANTS TALKS.

Exeter City director George Gillin is writing to the chairman of the supporters club to ask for a special meeting with his organisation, Mr Gillin has already met the executive committee of the other supporters association - The GreciansThey have given him their support, A meeting is to be held on 5th July when the future of Mr Gillin as a director is to be discussed by the board,

SATURDAY 12th JUNE 1965.

FRED DAVEY HANGS UP HIS BOOTS.

Fred Davey, former Exeter City half back, who has been Crediton United's captain for several seasons has said he intends to retire from playing he has however been elected to the Exeter and District League club's committee. He led Crediton United to finish in sixth position last season,

MONDAY 21st JUNE 1965.

SMYTH NOW OFF CITY TRANSFER LIST.

After nine months on the transfer list, Exeter City full back Cecil Smyth, has now withdrawn his request and has told City manager Ellis Stuttard that he is quite happy to stay at the club. He was put on the list last October and Interested several clubs including Bolton Wanderers. One Irish newspaper even mentioned him as being a future Irish International cap, Newly married, his wife could not settle down in Exeter, but circumstances have now changed and the player will be moving into a brand new club at

TUESDAY 22nd JUNE 1965.

THREE EXTRA TEAMS NEXT SEASON.

Exeter City will be putting out three extra teams next seasons to cover three grades of soccer from under 18 to senior professional standardThe top new attraction at St James' Fark next season will be the Western Counties Floodlit League side. All the fixtures will be played in midweek and will be against Plymouth Argyle, Torquay United, and top Southern and Western League sides in the area, An unusual points system is to be introduced, Two points are to be awarded for a home draw, one for an away draw, three for a home win, and four for an away win. The idea behind this is to encourage better performances from the away sides and less of a play for a draw' attitude, Also midweek under floodlights will be the Wessex Youth League matchesThis si a valuable under could not afford to ignore any longer, OD DO Clubs in the West Country and which City 18 competition which has brought all the The third new team will be a colts side. In addition to the one already playing in the Exeter and District LeagueThe new colts team will play in Senior 2A division and will include any promising amateurs from the area,

FRIDAY 25th JUNE 1965.

CITY F. C. SUPPORTERS HARD AT IT.

There has been no close season rest for the Exeter City supporters club members and officials,Some of them have even given up holidays to work at the Park, they have been repainting their two existing refreshment huts and erecting a third brand new one. The new hut has already had the concrete foundations laid in a corner of the enclosure behind the St James Road goal,

KIRKMAN TO NORTHWICH VICTORIA. Northwich Victoria have appointed 45 year old Norman Kirkman as managerhe joined Exeter City as player manager from Southampton in 1952, moving onto Bradford Park Avenue as their manager. He started his playing career with Burnely as a left back in 1937, and left nine years later to join Rochdale, Chesterfield and Leicester City before being transferred to SouthamptonSince 1956 he has been the Northern Scout for Southampton,

MONDAY 28th JUNE 1965.

TORQUAY WINGER TO SIGN FOR CITY.

Exeter City manager Ellis Stuttard announced today that he is to sign 21 year old winger Jeff Tolchard from Torquay United, he spent one season as a professional at Plainmoor scoring four goals in eleven appearances last seasonA former public schoolboy, Tolchard was on Torquay's books as an amateur, then a part-timer before becoming a full time professional at the start of last season. An all round sportsman, he has had trials with Leicestershire County Cricket Club where his brother Roger is a wicketkeeper, Born in Torquay, Tolchard is 5' 7" tall, and weighs 10st 71b.

THURSDAY 1st JULY 1965.

CITY FANS DECIDE ON MEETING.

An meeting of Exeter City supporters is to be held at the Imperial Hotel, Exeter, on Saturday night, Two days before the shareholders meeting which will consider a resolution to rescind Mr George Gillings appointment as a director. The meeting has not been called by the club or any supporters associations, but by a group of private individualsMr Gillin is to attend the gathering and possibly an official from the Exeter City club,

FRIDAY 2nd JULY 1965.

THAT MEETING IS NOW OFF !

There will be no meeting of Exeter City supporters at the Imperial Hotel tomorrow night. A notice asking supporters interested in the welfare of the club was carried in yesterday's edition of the Express and Echo, but today the booking of the room at the hotel was cancelled,

SATURDAY 3rd JULY 1965.

CITY OFFICIALS AWAIT Mr. GILLIN'S RESIGNATION.

Exeter City officials were today waiting for official confirmation of the resignation of senior director Mr George Gillin, 73 years old. Gillin announced his resignation through his Torquay solicitors late yesterday afternoon, In a statement issued he said: shap "With great regret I have decided to resign as a director of Exeter City Football Club, I have been influenced in this decision by the advice of my doctors following my recent operation, but I would like to make it clear that the views I have expressed with regard to the affairs of the club are completely unchanged. I have always acted in what I consider to be in the best interests of the club, as so many people who really have the welfare of the club at heart will already know. 

TUESDAY 6th JULY 1965.

RESIGNED BUT TOO LATE TO STOP MEETING.

There were only twelve people in the hall at yesterday's special meeting of Exeter City Football Club shareholderswhen a motion to rescind the directorship of Mr. George Gillin was passed by 8,877 votes to 204 in ballot, Mr Gillin had already announced his resignation to the Press but City chairman Reg Rose said the club did not receive official notification until the morning of this meeting and by then it was far too late to cancel it,mercat Mr Rose said there had been a lot of comment in

nt in the Press which the board have not replied too, It was their intention to ask Mr Gillin to be present at this meeting and make public his remarks he has made to the PressPeople have asked what is wrong at Exeter City, but he could not understandit, for the club have just had their best financial year in their history. He added that he was upset at the way the shareholders have been writing to the Press and not directly to the club, Mr LSeward, a shareholder, said he was sorry if Reg Rose had found it necessary to move the resolution after receiving George Gillin's resignation, for he had been a good supporter of the club for a number of years and he thought his resignation should have been accepted with good grace rather than pass a resolution which would be a vote of censure, Mr Seward then referred to an open letter from the chairman to shareholders published in June, Had there been no dissension on the board as Reg Rose had then claimed, there would have been no need for the present meeting. There  was an awful lot of rumour going about in Exeter which may or may not be true. If the board took the public into it's confidence it would not have this sort of upheaval, Reg Rose replied that he did not want to enter into a slanging match in the PressThe intention of calling this meeting had been to have the matter thrashed out and not to keep the shareholders at a disadvantage. Later Reg Rose referred to a letter from a group of shareholdrs who had wished to call a special meeting, but said no one seemed to want to be the groups spokesman, If the board were approached in the porper manner a meeting would be most welcomed. Mr Seward then spoke of the special meeting at which a new holding company had been formed. He said it was felt that the proposals had been carried through because the directors held the majority of the shares. Mr Rose replied that even without the directors votes it was passed easily and angrily said "No!", when Mr Seward suggested that the holding company had been turned down by the Football Association as not being in the best interests of the Football Club, Mr Rose ended by saying that he believed that the main body of supporters are behind the board. they were doing their best for the club and cannot afford to have anybody against them if they are to have better football at Exeter City. Messrs Hutchings and Plumb, solicitors of Torquay, acting for Mr Gillin informed the Express and Echp that they telephoned Exeter City Football Club last Friday afternoon informing them of Mr Gillin's resignation and saying that a letter would be posted on the same evening. It was posted in Torquay on the Friday to arrive at the club on Saturday morning.

WEDNESDAY 7th JULY 1965.

SUPPORTERS SUBS TO BE WAIVED.

Exeter City Supporters Club members will have their first annual meeting at the Rougemont Hotel on July 30th, and they will be told that they will be getting their membership free for a while, Club official Dick Miller said that evryone has to pay an initial membership fee when they join and this will still apply, but an annual sub which had been intended will not now be required, The Supporters club feel that until such time that they have a clubhouse, whether it takes weeks or months, it would not be right to take an annual sub from members. 

SATURDAY 10th JULY 1965.

CRICKET KNOCKOUT JEFF.

Jeff Tolchard, newly signed Exeter City footballer, was detained in Torbay Hospital overnight after being struck in the eye and knocked out by a ball while playing for Paignton cricket club against Barnes yesterday,

MONDAY 12th JULY 1965.

CITY GIVE FREE TRANSFERS TO THE FIVE.

Exeter City have now given free tranfers to five men who were put on the open to transfer list at the end of last season, Dave Hancock, Adrian Thorne, Derek Grace, Roy Patrick, and Peter Rutley have all now been given frees. Grace has been linked with Gillingham, and Hancock is believed to be considering an offer to play abroad,

SUPPORTERS CLUB £461 PROFIT.

Exeter City Supporters Club have made a profit of £461 6s 11d, for the year ended 30th June 1965. On the income side subscriptions brought in £289 5s 6d, refreshments £213 17s 4d, dances £155 4s 3d, various draws £184 12s 11d, and coach trips £67 11s 9d. These fund raising activities plus other schemes amounted to a total of £977 3s 7d, Expenditure totalled £515 16s 8d, with the cost of equipping refreshment huts £124 45 1ld, and the Old Age Pensioners Fund £114 4s being the most expensive

items.

SATURDAY 17th JULY 1965.

EXETER CITY SIGN A DEFENDER.

Eexter City have signed utility defender, 19 year old Dennis Peapell, from Swindon TownA strong and solid player he was not on the transfer list and the City have had to pay a substantial fee for his transfer. City manager Ellis Stuttard signed Peapell five years ago when he himself was at Swindon Town, Peapell has played for the Swindon Schools side and was signed as an apprentice on leaving schoolHe has appeared mainly in the Swindon Town Combination League team, but has made a few first team appearancesHe is 511" tall, and weighs 11st 61b, and played in the 1964 F.A, Youth Cup Final when Swindon were beaten by Manchester United,