Ton-up Banks rocks Chester

Report from the Liverpool Echo (24/4/1971) 


Chester, with an interest in both promotion and the Watney Cup had a close call in the first five minutes. Winger Rowan ran 40 yards to take a return pass from Banks, only to see Carling palm away his shot. Then, following a corner, Rowan forced the ball through to Banks who hit a shot towards the top corner and Carling did well to touch the ball over the bar. BANKS put Exeter ahead in the 22nd minute, scoring his 100th goal for the club from close range. Chester were finding it difficult going against the high winds and the rugged Exeter defence. Exeter made the most of the high wind to keep the pressure on Chester but found it difficult to get anywhere in the packed penalty area. Chester made a couple of chances from breakaways, but did not have enough manpower in the box to take advantage of them. Ton-up boy boy Banks wasted the best chance of the match when he shot straight at Carling from a couple of yards.

Half-time-Exeter 1, Chester 0.

Alan Banks, after being carried shoulder high by team mates Barry Rowan and Graham Parker, disappeared to cheers into the dressing room pronouncing he would carry on for about another 3 or 4 years yet, For Banks this match was a milestone in his career, for he scored 2 goals, the first being his 100th for Exeter City, as City went onto to defeat Chester in the last home game of the season,

The match ended Exeter's recent goal drought and if they had taken all their chances it would have been more convincing. In the first half Chester did not have a single shot at goal, but at thestart of the second half they produced their most dangerous spell during which time Bob Wilson showed his class with some fine work. They did beat the City keeper once when Webber scored a 65th minute equaliser but Exeter immediately regained the lead,

Banks 100th goal came after 23 minutes and he scored again 9 minutes from timeFred Binney scored the other City goal after 66 minutes, Mike Balson had an outstanding game covering strongly and then moving forward with confident football. Up  front Binney with his hard chasing and running helped take some of the weight off Banks,

FINAL: EXETER 3, CHESTER 1.

EXETER CITY:
Wilson: Crawford, Morris: Parker, Jimmy Giles, Balson: Rowan. Banks, Binney. Wingate, John Giles.
Sub.: Blain,

CHESTER:
Carling: Edwards. Birks: Bradbury. Turner, Pountney: Webber, Draper, Loyden, McHale. Tarbuck.
Sub.: Kennedy.

Referee: Mr. K. Sweet (Aberdare).

TARR SACKING - THE BOARD WERE FAR TOO QUIET .

TOO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

One of the stock phrases from the Exeter City board of directors is; "The club does not want bad publicity." But surely the manner in which they parted with, and sacked Ian Tarr as secretary is a typical example of how they justifiably receive it? Rightly or wrongly they sacked Tarr, but they went about it in totally the wrong way. Surely they should have written him a letter? Surely they should have given him a prepared notice? Surely they should have given the public the reasons for his dismissal ? To give a secretary instant dismissal leaves a nasty taste. Suddenly out of the blue Tarr is told he is sacked, Full stopNot a word. Not a statement from the directors, Forty eight hours after his dismissal a director stated that Tarr had been replaced because the club felt they needed someone with more experience. If that is so, why has it taken them so long to find out? Three years in fact ! They appointed 21 year old Mike Cosway in July 1968, When he left after 14 months, Tarr was appointed at the age of 21When he was given the job two of the present directors were with the club, Quite honestly, is this the way to carry on in business? Exeter have chalked up quite a reputation for sacking managers and they are not making a bad job of secretaries either!

October 1964 - Keith Honey - Sacked
January 1965 - Patricia Smith - Released from her duties
April 1971 - Ian Tarr - Sacked.

Good, bad, or indifferent, Mr Tarr, or indeed anyone for that matter should be treated with respect and decency even when being sacked,

THE EARLY DAYS OF EXETER CITY.
(written in 1971)

In 1904 Exeter City played in the Plymouth and District League against such teams as Plymouth, Argyle Reserves, Torpoint, Oreston Rovers Woodland Villa, Green Waves, and the RFA. team from Topsham Barracks. The ground was enclosed by a rope in those days and the only building was a small wooden shed in the corner by the railway bank in which the roller and mower were stored. The charge for admission was 3d for adults and id for boys. The ground was smaller in length and finished some yards short of the big bank and sloped slightly towards St James' Road. In 1908 when Exeter City were elected to the Southern League the ground was levelled and a small stand built, This was subsequently destroyed by fire in the 1920's Arthur Chadwick, an old international, was appointed as the first player manager and went North to get together the first team with such players as Daisy Bell, Bob Watson, Alf Ambler, and Jack Robinson among others who will be remembered by older supporters. There was no changing accomodation at the ground and players used the old Red Lion Inn opposite where the Odeon Cinema now stands in Sidwell Street, thanks to the generosity of the Landlord Tommy Oliver. The players walked to the ground and back again after the match had ended. Shock news came in the early seasons when it was discovered that City's pitch was too short by several yards to conform with the rules laid down for the F.A. Cup competition, and although the City were to play Stoke City the match could not be staged at St James Park and would have to go to Stoke by default unless another ground could be found, The Exeter Rugby Club came to City's rescue and allowed the game to be played at the County Ground, Proceedings were then started to buy the small field where the big bank now standsThis was successfully concluded, the pitch extended and the big bank formed, which practically doubled the spectator accomodation, The new pitch was formally opened by the then Mr H. E. Duke (Later Lord Merrivale), who was M.P. for Exeter at the time. To encourage local talent the City started what was known as 'The Gold Medal Competition which was open to teams in local leagues, This was played on a knockout system, Friernhay, Heavitree United, Exeter Argyle, Topsham St Margarets, and similar teams entered and was a popular compettition with teans. It was played at the end of the season in the evenings and drew quite good crowds, In this way quite a number of players were discovered who were up to Football League standard.