11th March
On this day in:-
1949
The Exmouth branch of the Grecians Association invited all supporters to attend a dance that they had organised in the Church Hall in the town. The City players had also been asked to attend if at all possible, as proceeds from the evening would be going to City player Steve Walker's benefit fund. Meanwhile the legendary Tommy Lawton, who at this time was playing for Notts County, had been approached to play in Walker's benefit match the following month, and possibly line up in the Exeter City team.
1956
Schoolmaster and Plymouth Argyle outside right Keith Thomas waited until lessons were over at school before signing for Exeter City for what was described as a "reasonable fee." The Shropshire born player had joined Argyle from Cardiff City in 1953 for £4,000 and had scored ten goals in more than 30 first team appearances. Thomas, 25, had also played for Sheffield Wednesday for two seasons. He was intending to continue to live in Plymouth, but wanted to become a full time professional with the Grecians in the future. Another signing made by the City was that of 17-year vear old goalkeeper John Lobbett, who had impressed whilst playing in the reserve team. He had also caught the eye in two floodlit friendly matches for the first team.
1957
Exeter City left-back John Ferrier was not likely play again that season. Carried off at Bournemouth, an x-ray revealed that two bones in his right ankle had been cracked. His leg was immediately put in plaster at the Bournemouth hospital before he could rejoin the City party at a restaurant in the town where they were having dinner before returning to Exeter. Part of the restaurant had to be curtained off while Ferrier, still in football kit, and trainer Harry Hanford who had accompanied the player to hospitalchanged into their everyday clothing.
1961
Player-manager Glen Wilson announced that he was giving free transfers to five of his players. The five were Peter Gordon, Alan Grant, Bernard Harrison, Peter Harrison and Peter Williams. The first four named had already been on the transfer list at their own request. This was regarded as the first steps in City's policy to make room for new signatures for the following season and cut the playing staff to just 16 in order to make big financial savings. By giving the players free transfer at this stage of the season, it was hoped that they would be able to get fixed up elsewhere before the summer rush and the Club would then be able to save their wages.
1965
Exeter City's 18-year old inside forward Barry Redwood was told by specialists that he must give up professional footballThe news came as a shock to both Redwood and the Club, and came several weeks after he had reported unfit following a reserve team match at Bridport after receiving a blow to the head. The blow affected his eyesight and after a visit to a doctor and two specialists he was told to give up the game or risk permanent damage to his sight.
1972
Cash strapped Exeter City launched a 'Buy A Player' appeal fund for the next season. A target of £5,000 had been set and the fund was due to close on 1st June, City's commercial manager John Hillier, who had worked on the scheme, said that he was confident that he would raise sufficient money to go towards buying a player. Hillier was to approach all the large companies in the city and the inhabitants to contribute to the fund. An account was opened at the Bank and the Club's directors had undertook not to use the money for any other purpose other than purchasing a player. It was further intended by Hillier to ask local public houses, newsagents and various businesses in Exeter to take collection boxesCollections would also be arranged during City home matches. One day after the official launch of the fund, Hillier announced that the fund's total stood at 50p a donation from a female City fan!
1978
Exeter City were completely exonerated at a hearing of the Football Association Disciplinary committee in Birmingham which investigated the crowd trouble at the match between City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in an FA Cup tie at St James' Park two months earlier. Exeter had been reported under FA rule 38(A) regarding the responsibility of a club for it's spectators, and they requested a personal hearing. City chairman Gerald Vallance and Police Superintendent Graham Burgess of the Exeter Police were in Birmingham to meet the commission. The commission felt that the Club had taken all reasonable precautions to prevent misconduct by spectators and no further action would be taken. They did however, recommend that the Club should put in some crash barriers behind the St James' Road goal.
1984
Player-manager Gerry Francis insisted that he was to stay at Exeter City despite the team's struggles in the League. The former England skipper, working without a contract at St James' Park, said: "Obviously I will be a happier man if we can avoid relegation, but I want to stay and plan whether we are relegated or not." Francis had retained his home in Bagshot, Surrey, and booked into a local hotel on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights. Now he planned to buy a property in the westcountry in time for the start of the following season. There was one new appointment made at the Club, that of a Chaplain. The holder of this first official title at the Club was 29- year old Richard Chewter. He said it was not his job to comment on football or tell people how to play, but he would help everyone in the club on the matters of Christian faith and would be available to talk to players or club staff when they had personal problems which were worrying them.
1989
Football Clubs like to catch supporters at a young age, but Brooke Chapman set a record record as far as Exeter City were concerned. There was a football rattle with a difference in the Cowshed at St James' Park for Brooke saw her first Exeter City game at just 46 days oldShe had had born on 4th January, enlisted in City's membership scheme at six weeks and was on the terraces for the 3-0 win over Burnley on 18th February! It had been a busy week at the Club, with the sale of goalkeeper Mel Gwinnett and midfielder Richard Cooper to Weymouth for a fee of £10,000. Gwinnett had already been on loan at the Dorset team. Another player to leave the Park was centre half lan Johnson after an unsuccessful trial periodManager Terry Cooper felt that Herbie Heath, already on the books, was a better prospect.
1993
Exeter City's decision to part with Scott Hiley to Birmingham City for £150,000 had annoyed supporters. Hiley had been one of the most talented players at the club and terrace critics said that he had been sold short of his potential value. Earlier the player had been talked about in the media as being a £250,000 player. The Grecians had already turned down one offer from West Bromwich Albion and had Hiley stated that he was not prepared to sign another contract at St James' Park after his present agreement was due to end. Exeter City Supporters Club had recently offered some financial assistance to the Football Club in their attempt to bring midfielder Russell Coughlin in from Swansea City. Unfortunately the deal fell through, but this prompted Supporters Club secretary Steve Darke to say:' We will endeavour to help the Football Club and manager Alan Ball whenever possible in the future should the need arise"
Birthdays
Alan Beer 11/03/1950
Kane Wilson 11/03/2000
Mark Moseley 11/03/1981
1949
The Exmouth branch of the Grecians Association invited all supporters to attend a dance that they had organised in the Church Hall in the town. The City players had also been asked to attend if at all possible, as proceeds from the evening would be going to City player Steve Walker's benefit fund. Meanwhile the legendary Tommy Lawton, who at this time was playing for Notts County, had been approached to play in Walker's benefit match the following month, and possibly line up in the Exeter City team.
1956
Schoolmaster and Plymouth Argyle outside right Keith Thomas waited until lessons were over at school before signing for Exeter City for what was described as a "reasonable fee." The Shropshire born player had joined Argyle from Cardiff City in 1953 for £4,000 and had scored ten goals in more than 30 first team appearances. Thomas, 25, had also played for Sheffield Wednesday for two seasons. He was intending to continue to live in Plymouth, but wanted to become a full time professional with the Grecians in the future. Another signing made by the City was that of 17-year vear old goalkeeper John Lobbett, who had impressed whilst playing in the reserve team. He had also caught the eye in two floodlit friendly matches for the first team.
1957
Exeter City left-back John Ferrier was not likely play again that season. Carried off at Bournemouth, an x-ray revealed that two bones in his right ankle had been cracked. His leg was immediately put in plaster at the Bournemouth hospital before he could rejoin the City party at a restaurant in the town where they were having dinner before returning to Exeter. Part of the restaurant had to be curtained off while Ferrier, still in football kit, and trainer Harry Hanford who had accompanied the player to hospitalchanged into their everyday clothing.
1961
Player-manager Glen Wilson announced that he was giving free transfers to five of his players. The five were Peter Gordon, Alan Grant, Bernard Harrison, Peter Harrison and Peter Williams. The first four named had already been on the transfer list at their own request. This was regarded as the first steps in City's policy to make room for new signatures for the following season and cut the playing staff to just 16 in order to make big financial savings. By giving the players free transfer at this stage of the season, it was hoped that they would be able to get fixed up elsewhere before the summer rush and the Club would then be able to save their wages.
1965
Exeter City's 18-year old inside forward Barry Redwood was told by specialists that he must give up professional footballThe news came as a shock to both Redwood and the Club, and came several weeks after he had reported unfit following a reserve team match at Bridport after receiving a blow to the head. The blow affected his eyesight and after a visit to a doctor and two specialists he was told to give up the game or risk permanent damage to his sight.
1972
Cash strapped Exeter City launched a 'Buy A Player' appeal fund for the next season. A target of £5,000 had been set and the fund was due to close on 1st June, City's commercial manager John Hillier, who had worked on the scheme, said that he was confident that he would raise sufficient money to go towards buying a player. Hillier was to approach all the large companies in the city and the inhabitants to contribute to the fund. An account was opened at the Bank and the Club's directors had undertook not to use the money for any other purpose other than purchasing a player. It was further intended by Hillier to ask local public houses, newsagents and various businesses in Exeter to take collection boxesCollections would also be arranged during City home matches. One day after the official launch of the fund, Hillier announced that the fund's total stood at 50p a donation from a female City fan!
1978
Exeter City were completely exonerated at a hearing of the Football Association Disciplinary committee in Birmingham which investigated the crowd trouble at the match between City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in an FA Cup tie at St James' Park two months earlier. Exeter had been reported under FA rule 38(A) regarding the responsibility of a club for it's spectators, and they requested a personal hearing. City chairman Gerald Vallance and Police Superintendent Graham Burgess of the Exeter Police were in Birmingham to meet the commission. The commission felt that the Club had taken all reasonable precautions to prevent misconduct by spectators and no further action would be taken. They did however, recommend that the Club should put in some crash barriers behind the St James' Road goal.
1984
Player-manager Gerry Francis insisted that he was to stay at Exeter City despite the team's struggles in the League. The former England skipper, working without a contract at St James' Park, said: "Obviously I will be a happier man if we can avoid relegation, but I want to stay and plan whether we are relegated or not." Francis had retained his home in Bagshot, Surrey, and booked into a local hotel on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights. Now he planned to buy a property in the westcountry in time for the start of the following season. There was one new appointment made at the Club, that of a Chaplain. The holder of this first official title at the Club was 29- year old Richard Chewter. He said it was not his job to comment on football or tell people how to play, but he would help everyone in the club on the matters of Christian faith and would be available to talk to players or club staff when they had personal problems which were worrying them.
1989
Football Clubs like to catch supporters at a young age, but Brooke Chapman set a record record as far as Exeter City were concerned. There was a football rattle with a difference in the Cowshed at St James' Park for Brooke saw her first Exeter City game at just 46 days oldShe had had born on 4th January, enlisted in City's membership scheme at six weeks and was on the terraces for the 3-0 win over Burnley on 18th February! It had been a busy week at the Club, with the sale of goalkeeper Mel Gwinnett and midfielder Richard Cooper to Weymouth for a fee of £10,000. Gwinnett had already been on loan at the Dorset team. Another player to leave the Park was centre half lan Johnson after an unsuccessful trial periodManager Terry Cooper felt that Herbie Heath, already on the books, was a better prospect.
1993
Exeter City's decision to part with Scott Hiley to Birmingham City for £150,000 had annoyed supporters. Hiley had been one of the most talented players at the club and terrace critics said that he had been sold short of his potential value. Earlier the player had been talked about in the media as being a £250,000 player. The Grecians had already turned down one offer from West Bromwich Albion and had Hiley stated that he was not prepared to sign another contract at St James' Park after his present agreement was due to end. Exeter City Supporters Club had recently offered some financial assistance to the Football Club in their attempt to bring midfielder Russell Coughlin in from Swansea City. Unfortunately the deal fell through, but this prompted Supporters Club secretary Steve Darke to say:' We will endeavour to help the Football Club and manager Alan Ball whenever possible in the future should the need arise"
Birthdays
Alan Beer 11/03/1950
Kane Wilson 11/03/2000
Mark Moseley 11/03/1981
Files
Comments