MONDAY 29th JUNE 1970.

ROWAN SIGNS FOR EXETER.

Barry Rowan, 26, signed for Exeter City this afternoon on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle. He joined Argyle in the middle of last season and made 10 appearances, scoring one goal, Plymouth used Rowan as an orthodox wingerHis previous clubs are Brentford and Millwall, He has also played football in America and South Africa

WEDNESDAY 1st JULY 1970.

EXETER CITY SUPPORTERS CLUB NOW.

The new title of the supporters organisation of Exeter City is "The Exeter City Supporters Club (The Grecians) The respective committee members of the two former organisations which recently amalgamated have been co-opted to form the complete committee of the new organisation.

MONDAY 6th JULY 1970.

BACK TO WORK FOR THE CITY.

It was really back to work for Exeter City's playing staff today, when they began their basic pre- season training, During the week there will be cross country running at Wyvern Barracksweight training, and ball work.

MONDAY 13th JULY 1970.

REG ROSE TAKEOVER MOVE ?

Former Exeter City chairman Reg Rose has confirmed that approaches have been made to him about a possible bid to take over control of Exeter City Football ClubRose, who retired as Chairman of Exeter City a few years ago because of illness said today at the family hotel in Ilfracombe that he has been approached during the last six months by a number of people including ex directors, asking him if he would be interested in taking over the club again, They expressed certain reasons why they thought there should be changes, but he is not prepared to state those reasonsHe did say however that if it is true what he had been told, then it was indeed time for changesHe would be prepared to go back as Chairman of Exeter City and form a board, Exeter City's present chairman Les Kerslake said he knew nothing about the move. Speaking personall, he would be prepared to meet Reg Rose and discuss anything. Kerslake took over as Chairman When Rose resigned in 1967 He still holds many shares in the club, but when he left the board he stated that it would be doubtful even after a prolonged convalescence leave, that he would be able to take up the hurly burly of a football directorship which was incompatible with his heart condition."

FRIDAY 17th JULY 1970.

NO APPROACHES MADE TO EXETER CITY BOARD

The board of directors of Exeter City issued a statement last night concerning the offer from Reg Rose to takeover the clubThe statement read: "The board wish to emphasise that no approaches have been made to them. They feel that the best interests of the club would have been served if the correct procedure had been followed, particularly with a new season so close to handThe board are completely united in their efforts to build a successful team at St James' Park. While we have never made rash promises, we feel that we have established the foundations for success within the club's income which is vitally importantThe board are unaminous in their objectivesbut are prepared to listen to any proposals made in the best interests of the club,"

SATURDAY 25th JULY 1970.

GRECIANS PLANS.

Exeter City Supporters Club (The Grecians) are preparing for the coming season, Supporters are now reminded that subscriptions are now due, all members are guaranteed tickets for any all ticket matches and can vote for the player of the year 15th August competition will be taking place for the first Fourth Division match at St James' fation available to sun cash prizes of £50 £25, £15, and £10. There will be additional facilities available to supporters with normal refreshments and drinks available at all huts, but it is hoped that this will enable supporters to obtain their refreshments, quicker than in previous seasons with more selling points being available. A new fund raising scheme will be started whereby supporters will be rquested to pledge themselves to pay is for each goal scored by Exeter in the League and Cup, The amount due will be payable monthly, quarterly, or at the end of the season, Several new items will also be available for next season, including cloth jockey, caps in club colours, T shirts with an attractive design on the front, red and white scarves, rossettes, and many assorted League club badges and programmes, these will be available from the souvenir hut on matchdays, Plans are already in hand for a bigger souvenir shop this season using the large beer hut under the covered bank at the St James' Road end of the ground. This will also give better facilities for the Souvenir hunters. The respective committee members of the two former supporters organisations have been co-opted to for the complete committee of the new organisation, City Chairman Las Kerslake said the board were delighted at the way in which the merger had taken place and they were sure it would be beneficial for the club and it's supporters,

MONDAY 27th JULY 1970.

GRAHAM PARKER INJURED IN CAR SMASH. Graham Parker,

Exeter City's talented wing half is recovering at his Exeter home from injuries received in a car accident, Parker was involved in a collision with a caravan at Shepton Mallet on his way home to Coventry for the weekend. His car turned over three times, but Parker miraculously escaped with cuts, bruises, and a wrenched shoulder.

THURSDAY 30th JULY 1970.

FRIENDLY.

EXETER CITY 3 TORQUAY UNITED 1

CITY WIN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
Scorers
Exeter Rowan, Mitten, Corr.
Torquay Rudge,

Exeter City have won their first match of the season, although it was played behind closed doors at St James' Park. Torquay fielded their full first team except for Cliff Jackson and Alan Welsh, Fred Binney did not play for City because of a sprained ankle.

SATURDAY 1st AUGUST 1970.
USEFUL WORKOUT FOR CITY.

FRIENDLY.

HEREFORD UNITED 1
Davies; Griffiths, Bird; Carson, McLaughlin, Charles; Rodgerson, Tyler, meadows, Shepherd, Walker,

EXETER CITY 1.
Wilson (Shearing 45); Crawford, Blain; Giles, Sharples (Newman 45), Balson; Corr, Banks,(Binney 45), Gadston, Mitten, Morris (Wingate 45),

Scorers
Hereford Carson,
Exeter Wingate.

Attendance 2,502.

Pre season matches are not the cue to make predictions on a teams chances in the coming season, but as far as Exeter City are concerned it looks as if their tough training programme is having the desired effect, From a fitness aspect City came through their first public workout well in the heavy and humid conditions at HerefordThey finished the game fitter and faster than the home side, although this was perhaps not surprising against a Southern League team, Hereford led for just over an hour. In the 15th minute Carson put them in front after Brian Sharples was beaten to a cross, Indeed they looked quite dangerous until the interval. Three times Bob Wilson showed his class with good saves Although Exeter played good possession football they did not manage to break down the Hereford defence. Exeter looked a much better side in the second half when they made half time changes, They were tighter in midfield and there was more running up frontCity equalised in the 76th minute when Joe Gadston beat two men and crossed for John Wingate to score easily, Overall a draw was a fair result as Hereford, who included Bruce Walker their new signing from Exeter in their side,

MONDAY 3rd AUGUST 1970.

CITY BOARD MAY ELECT A NEW DIRECTOR.

Exeter City's three man board of directors are expected to hold a special meeting to elect former Chairman Reg Rose, who resigned in 1967, back onto the board, Another possibility is that John Richards, one of the promotors of the Exeter Falcons Speedway team may also join the board, Richards said today that he would be prepared to invest a substantial sum of money into the club.

TUESDAY 4th AUGUST 1970.

GOAL PUNCH THAT'S THE PATTERN CITY. FRIENDLY.

EXETER CITY 3,
Shearing; Crawford, Blain; Parker, Sharples, Baison; Corr, Banks, Binney, Giles, Mitten,

ORIENT 0
Bowtell; JonesRofe; Taylor, Mancini, Harper; Lazarus, Bullock, Allen, Dyson, Brabrook,

Scorers Exeter Mitten 2, Binney,

Attendance 2,895,

Exeter certainly gave a promising and encouraging display against the Orient, last season's Third Division Champions. It was an entertaining game in which City kept going throughoutThere was plenty of good running and generally, the covering in defence was good when needed, Exeter played some neat football especially in the first half and were always prepared to have a shot at goal, Orient goalkeeper Bowtell produced three fine saves to keep his side in the game, City went ahead in the 29th minute, Campbell Crawford pushed a good pass out to John Mitten who hit a powerful sound drive into the net, After 63 minutes Exeter went two up. This followed an excellent two man move involving Alan Banks, and John Carr, which ended with Mitten calmly slotting a shot in the net. The third goal came just before the end, a terrific 25 yard drive from Fred Binney, Orient sade changes at half time but they never manager to open up the City defence in which Grahan Parker stood out as an industrious player. After 180 minutes of pre-season practice football City manager John Newman aust now have a sound foundation on which to work and overall he must be happy with the way things are going.

FRIDAY 7th AUGUST 1970.

TAME CITY FOUND IT ALL DOUBLE DUTCH.

FRIENDLY.

EXETER CITY 0
Wilson; Crawford, Morris, Parker, Newman, Baison; Corr, Wingate, Gadston, Giles, Mitten

GO AHEAD DEVENTER 4,
Houdkoper'; Veenstra, Warhas; Somer, Koenders, Knoet; Geestman, De Winkel, Beek,
Geels, Verdonk,

Scorers
Go Ahead:- De Winkel 2, Beek, Geestman,

Attendance 3,334,

Exeter were up against an extremely good side, but their performance was bad all the way through and was a big disappointment City we're thoroughly beaten by the Dutch Premier Division side. The visitors played some fine football, possession, good positioning off the ball, and tremendous running, They often gave Exeter the run around, City never really got to grips with the game at all, The defence looked suspect and from Exeter's pointof view there were some bad goals. They were not sharp enough up front when there was a chance and never really looked like scoring, City will not however see a qucker side than Deventer in the Fourth Division this season. The Dutch side took a 17th minute lead when De Winkels shot went in off the post. Seven minutes later there was a mix up between John Newman and Bob Wilson when Beek was left with an easy chance ot score. Any hopes that City had of a comeback were dashed when De Winkel scored again, and just before the end Geestman completed the scoring from a free kick

CITY SHOCK AS CHAIRMAN RESIGNS

Les Kerslake who has been a supporter of Exeter City Football Club since his youth has resigned as chairman and director of the club, Kerslake, 57, has given his reasons for the resignation as ill health. But he is not expected to sever his connections with St James' Park completely, The shock announcement came after a weekend board meeting, A statement was issued as follows:

"The directors of Exeter City Football Club are very sorry to announce that Mr Les Kerslake has resigned from the board because of ill health, His resignation was accepted with regret, We would like to take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation of what Mr Kerslake has done for the City in the 25 years he has been connected with the club and in particular the good work he has done during the three years he has been Chairman, A cordial invitation has been extended to Mr Kerslake to attend St James' Park as a guest of the board at all times.

CITY AIM FOR CONSISTENCY TO GO FORWARD.

You should have seen Exeter City on 1st October of last year, They beat Swansea Town 6-0 at St James Park and played like angels You should have seen Exeter City at half time a month later. They had just let in two goals at Chester and any chance of victory had gone, Thera you have it, the dilemmá of player manager John Newman, The inconsistency of Exeter City, sometimes endearing, always alarming, while they struggle to become a real force in the Fourth Division. Their fans, eternal optimists, wart for the side to come good, The Plymouth Argyle crowd, are fickle. Torquay United supporters take too much convincing. But give those Exeter City fans something to cheer about and they let everyone know about it too, Consistency says Newman aust be the aim this season, He wants all this players to approach every game in the right spirit battling for 90 ainutes. For all Exeter's scientific training methods and the bouyant dressing Foom spirits, Revman makes no predictions for this season, With all due respect to the gentlemen of the board, Exeter City are very much John Newman's club. He always gives the impression that he is totally committed to succeeding at St James' Park, Newman said; I want this club to go forward. If it just wants to jog along then they will have to find someone else to do it," For there is one thing Newman hates doing and that is jogging.

WEDNESDAY 12th AUGUST 1970.

JOCK BASFORD IS MANSFIELD TOWN MANAGER.

After a break of nearly three years, former Exeter City manager Jock Basford is returning to soccer management in charge of Third Division Mansfield TownBasford has recently been acting as caretaker manager, he will not be on a contract,

PETER HEPPELL ON TRIAL.

Peter Heppell, 18, a winger with Exeter and District League side Friernhay is to train with Exeter City for a month starting from next Tuesday City manager John Newman said he was impressed with Heppell's persistence and he was prepared to offer him the facilities for a month. At the end of that period Newman said they would take it from there