EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB IN SEASON 1979-1980.

As Mr Brian Godfrey, who took over the management last February not long after Saxton's sudden and unexpected migration to his old club at Plymouth, does not believe in making changes which are not absolutely necessary, the majority of the old eleven were re-signed at the end of last season.

And considering that the present City team is just about the best to have represented the club since the ending of the last war, and even bears comparison with the great sides of the 1931-1932-1933 period, it would be extremely foolish to contemplate the making of any voluntary alteration to such a splendid combination of players.

The most notable absentees will be Colin Randell, that delicate ball-artist, who was lured back to the Argyle by Bobby Saxton in July, and John Templeman, that most dependable of full-backs, who after moving along the south coast from Portsmouth, to Brighton, and then to Exeter, has now gone further inland to link up with the Swindon Town club, also in July. The third departure is Oshor Williams, who came to Exeter City from Southampton full of hope but failed to measure up to the club's expectations of him.

His early football was played in the north with first Stockton, then Middlesbrough, Gateshead, and Manchester United, and now he will try his luck with Stockport County, whom he joined three weeks ago on a free transfer.

REPLACEMENTS.

To fill the place of Randell David Pullar of Portsmouth has been engaged. This young player, who is not yet 21, had a good time with Pompey last season and only missed a handful of games. He has, nevertheless, a hard man to follow in Randell, and much is expected of him.

The replacement for Templeman will be Martyn Rogers, a brainy and brawny defender from Mr Godfrey's old club, Bath City. Rogers, who is 24, is a Bristolian who learned his football whilst an apprentice professional with Bristol City. Exeter's third new signing is Andy Bell, a young centre-forward from Taunton, who will be new to League football. He is said to be quick off the mark and a goalscorer. He took part in a few matches for the City youth team last season. Two public practice matches have been arranged before hostilities commence in earnest on August 11th with a trip to Hereford in the first of the games for the Football League Cup.

These are against Newcastle United (home) and Bath City (away). Exeter's probable team will be O'Keefe (goal); M.Rogers, Giles, Hore, and P.Roberts (defence); Delve, Pullar, and either Hatch or L. Roberts (midfield); Neville, Bowker, Pearson or Peter Rogers (forwards).

Alan Beer and Malcolm Musgrove will preside over the trainership of the first and second elevens respectively, Mr Peter Wakeham will continue to hold the reins as secretary, and Mr L. Vallance to preside over the Board, consisting, in addition to the chairman, of Messrs W.Rice, C.Hill, and I.Webb. The resources of the City club are, like those of many others, limited, and they have to cut their coat according to their cloth.

EXETER CITY PLAYING STAFF 1979-80.

Nineteen professionals have been engaged for season 1979-80 and three apprentices.

GOALKEEPERS
Ian Main and Vince O'Keefe

DEFENCE

John Hore, Richard Forbes, Jimmy Giles Peter Hatch and Tony Mitchell

MIDFIELD

Ian Pearson, Lee Roberts, Phil Roberts, John Delve,  Martyn Rogers and David Pullar

FORWARDS

Peter Rogers, Roy Ireland, Keith Bowker, John Sims, Andy Bell and Steve Neville.

Apprentices:- Steve Nute, goalkeeper, Paul Clatworthy, defence, Ian Cole, forward.

Pre-Season Friendlies 

Exeter C (Forbes, Neville, Delve) 3
Newcastle U (Withe, Brownlie) 2

Friday August 3rd 1979.

St James's Park, Exeter, attendance 1,829.

City: O'Keefe; M. Rogers, Hore, Giles, P.Roberts; Delve, Forbes, Hatch; Neville, Bowker, Pearson.

Subs: L. Roberts, Bell.

Newcastle:- Carr; Hardwick, Davies, Bird, Brownlie; Barton, Mitchell, Cassidy; Hibbitt, Withe, Shoulder.

Subs:- Wharton, Nicholson.

BATH CITY (Durbin, Powell) 2
EXETER CITY 0

Monday August 6th 1979.

Twerton Park, Bath, attendance 2,000.

Bath:- Book; Ryan, Harrison, Gover, Taverner; Wheeler, Brown, Summers; Powell, Jenkins, Durbin.

Exeter City: O'Keefe; P.Roberts, Hore, Giles, M. Rogers; Delve, Forbes, Hatch; Neville, Bowker, Pearson.