21st October 1895

Carlisle, Cumberland

Forward

Originally from Carlisle, Joseph 'Syd' Hetherington joined Exeter City from the army in 1919 and - after playing once towards the end of the club’s final season in the Southern League - stayed on to make eight appearances in the new Football League Division Three in 1920/21.

A promising and clever forward who had been on the books of Carlisle United Syd enhanced his footballing craft whilst serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery and playing for Army representative teams. Arriving in Devon in January 1920, he was given a trial with Exeter City and made his debut in the Southern League game against Southend United on 17 April 1920. 

Signing as a professional in August 1920, Syd was on hand for the Grecians' first season in the Football League as the club became founder members of the new Third Division. Starting in the reserves he made his Football League bow in the seventh game of the season against Newport County on 25 September 1920. Not appearing again until January, he was part of the side humbled 7-1 at Merthyr Town. Playing just six more times, and scoring his only goal for the club at Portsmouth on 25 March 1921, he moved over the summer to join Halifax Town recently elected as founder members of the Third Division (North).

Appearing in the West Riding club's opening game, he was forced to retire after suffering an injury in March 1922 but not before he scored on eleven occasions. Continuing to live in Halifax he became a manager with a brewery and took up crown green bowls.

Married to Agnes, Syd retired to the Westcountry and died in South Devon in 1980.

9 (Southern League 1; Football League 8)

1 (Football League)