21st March
On this day in :-
1936
Arthur chadwick, City's manage. in 1908 Collapsed and died in he Grandstand whilst watching city lose 3-2 to Clapton Orient.
1947
Popular Exeter City player Dick 'Digger' Ebdon received a late blow to his plans for a benefit match, as the Football Association refused to sanction a midweek game at St James' Park. The Government of the day had imposed a ban on midweek football, except for purely recreational purposes, and therefore the FA would not allow any benefit match to be staged until later in the season, when hopefully the ban would be lifted. City had arranged to play a match against touring side Corinthians, and with tickets already sold, expenses still had to be met. It was hoped that those supporters who were ticket holders would not claim a refund as the money in the kitty would just about cover what had already been committed. Meanwhile a dance had been arranged by The Grecians Association at the Exeter Civic Hall, where the music would be provided by the Royal Marines Band. It was hoped that several of the City players would be in attendance.,
1952
It was a day of mixed fortunes for Exeter City as the first team lost 2-1 at Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic in a Third Division South fixture, whilst back at St James' Park the City Reserves defeated Headington United 2-1 in a Southern League match. Full-back Jim Clark and winger Charlie McClelland were the goalscorers for the Reserves. Bournemouth grabbed a late winner at Dean Court much to the disappointment of Exeter who had done enough to earn a point from the match. Jim Jim Dailey had put the Grecians in front after 25 minutes, but the goal was cancelled out by Bournemouth four minutes later with an equaliser netted by Harrison.
1953
Jack English former City manager died on this day.
1957
An injury crisis hit Exeter City, with manager Norman Dodgin having a struggle to raise a side to play a Reserve team fixture in the Southern League at St James' Park against Hastings United. City's professional squad had been decimated. It included full-back John Ferrier who had been ruled out for the season, whilst Theo Foley was sidelined with a broken bone in his foot. Also on the sidelines were Frank Houghton, George Lackenby, George Willis and Ronnie Burke. In addition the City directors had granted a transfer request from John Porteous. Things were so desperate that Dodgin appealed to all City's staff to report to the ground for the game against Hastings, including the part-time players, so that a side could be selected.
1958
Officials from Exeter City were in discussion with their counterparts at Topsham St Margarets Football Club with regards to a possible ground sharing arrangement. The Grecians were seeking to use the Topsham pitch for their South Western League team for the 1958-59 season. A deputation from the Topsham club, who played in the Senior One Division of the Exeter and District League met the City FC board of directors. City agreed to make certain alterations to the Topsham ground which was to be used on alternate weeks.
1961
Exeter City Council decided to turn down the Grecians plan to sell St James' Park to them and then lease or rent it back. Only two councillors spoke in favour of the plan, which would have raised cash for the financially stricken Fourth Division Club. The City directors had offered the ground to the Council for £60,000, with chairman George Gillin then hoping the Council would be able to offer a lease of 99 years to the Club so that football could be guaranteed for the future in the city. Just days before the Council decision, Mr Gillin had said that football in Exeter was at the crossroads.
1962
Exeter City vice-chairman George Gillin gave an assurance that the Club would not become another Accrington Stanley, despite their poor financial state, he said that if Chairman Reg Rose and himself had not been prepared to carry on and put money into the Club, then Exeter City FC would no longer be in existence. He admitted the Club needed help, but there was no doubt that they would carry on. Meanwhile secretary Keith Honey said the withdrawal of Accrington, whom City were due to visit for a Fourth Division fixture would save the Club about £60. It would have cost City around £160 in travelling and hotel expenses, but Accrington would have had to guarantee £100 of that sum.
1969
What now for Fred Binney? That was the burning question among Exeter City supporters who had seen the striker net five goals in a weekIt was felt that the Grecians should have bought the player from Torquay United and not obtained him on a loan arrangement. It was reckoned that up to a few weeks earlier Torquay would have willingly sold the player who had netted 64 goals for their Western League side but found first team opportunities limited Now with him in scoring form in the Fourth Division for Exeter, it seemed that the Grecians were going to miss out on the player. Torquay, it was reported would have taken £2,000 for the player, even in instalments, but his value since his arrival at St James' Park had doubled.
1970
When Exeter City officials arrived at St James' Park they found various slogans daubed around the ground in connection with the Exeter University Irish Festival Week. The words 'Rag 70, Please Give Generously' - were painted on the wall outside the grandstand in Well Street and 'Rag 70' appeared on various boards in front of the Cowshed. City FC chairman said it was just plain stupid and would cause the Club a great deal of inconvenience and work to remove the slogans.
1984
Exeter City's associate schoolboy goalkeeper Howard Whitehouse was selected for an England tour of Europe that coming summer, He was in the England Schools squad for the rest of the season and was standing by for the Cross Channel trip. Whitehouse, from Birmingham, spent two days training with the England squad at Bisham Abbey in preparation for a series of forthcoming internationals, including one at Wembley against Holland.
1990
One of Exeter's most promising schoolboy footballers signed for the Grecians, Martin Phillips, 14, was a pupil at St Thomas High School and had been attending the FA School of Excellence at Crediton for three years, He played for Exwick on Saturdays and Ottery St Mary on Sundays as well as for the Exeter and East Devon Schools team. "I have watched him since he was 11 and have been very impressed by his potential" said City's Youth Development Officer Mike Radford. "He will now train with us on a weekly basis and during the school holidays. Next season we will be looking to blood him into one of our junior sides."
1994
Bristol Rovers striker David Mehew arrived at St James' Park in a bid to win a contract with the Grecians. The 26-year old player was a former Leeds United apprentice and had made 230 appearances for Rovers, netting 70 goals. He was hoping to impress manager Terry Cooper when lining up in the City reserve team against Hereford United in a Neville Ovenden Combination League fixture. One player who left the club, however, was midfielder Craig Taylor. He joined Crewe Alexandra on trial two weeks earlier and had now been signed by the Gresty Road club for the remainder of the season. The 20-year olds contract would have ended at City in the summer and was not to be renewed. Taylor made ten senior appearances for the Grecians, five as substitute. Another player expected to leave Exeter was defender Chris White who had been targeted by GM Vauxhall Conference League side Yeovil Town. White had been signed for £25,000 from Peterborough United the previous season by then manager Alan Ballbut was expected to leave the City on a free transfer.
2000
Steve Lovell makes his debut for City in the home win over Halifax having signed on-loan from Portsmouth. Steve scored the only goal - his first ever in league tootball.
Birthdays
Brian Quailey 21/03/1978
1936
Arthur chadwick, City's manage. in 1908 Collapsed and died in he Grandstand whilst watching city lose 3-2 to Clapton Orient.
1947
Popular Exeter City player Dick 'Digger' Ebdon received a late blow to his plans for a benefit match, as the Football Association refused to sanction a midweek game at St James' Park. The Government of the day had imposed a ban on midweek football, except for purely recreational purposes, and therefore the FA would not allow any benefit match to be staged until later in the season, when hopefully the ban would be lifted. City had arranged to play a match against touring side Corinthians, and with tickets already sold, expenses still had to be met. It was hoped that those supporters who were ticket holders would not claim a refund as the money in the kitty would just about cover what had already been committed. Meanwhile a dance had been arranged by The Grecians Association at the Exeter Civic Hall, where the music would be provided by the Royal Marines Band. It was hoped that several of the City players would be in attendance.,
1952
It was a day of mixed fortunes for Exeter City as the first team lost 2-1 at Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic in a Third Division South fixture, whilst back at St James' Park the City Reserves defeated Headington United 2-1 in a Southern League match. Full-back Jim Clark and winger Charlie McClelland were the goalscorers for the Reserves. Bournemouth grabbed a late winner at Dean Court much to the disappointment of Exeter who had done enough to earn a point from the match. Jim Jim Dailey had put the Grecians in front after 25 minutes, but the goal was cancelled out by Bournemouth four minutes later with an equaliser netted by Harrison.
1953
Jack English former City manager died on this day.
1957
An injury crisis hit Exeter City, with manager Norman Dodgin having a struggle to raise a side to play a Reserve team fixture in the Southern League at St James' Park against Hastings United. City's professional squad had been decimated. It included full-back John Ferrier who had been ruled out for the season, whilst Theo Foley was sidelined with a broken bone in his foot. Also on the sidelines were Frank Houghton, George Lackenby, George Willis and Ronnie Burke. In addition the City directors had granted a transfer request from John Porteous. Things were so desperate that Dodgin appealed to all City's staff to report to the ground for the game against Hastings, including the part-time players, so that a side could be selected.
1958
Officials from Exeter City were in discussion with their counterparts at Topsham St Margarets Football Club with regards to a possible ground sharing arrangement. The Grecians were seeking to use the Topsham pitch for their South Western League team for the 1958-59 season. A deputation from the Topsham club, who played in the Senior One Division of the Exeter and District League met the City FC board of directors. City agreed to make certain alterations to the Topsham ground which was to be used on alternate weeks.
1961
Exeter City Council decided to turn down the Grecians plan to sell St James' Park to them and then lease or rent it back. Only two councillors spoke in favour of the plan, which would have raised cash for the financially stricken Fourth Division Club. The City directors had offered the ground to the Council for £60,000, with chairman George Gillin then hoping the Council would be able to offer a lease of 99 years to the Club so that football could be guaranteed for the future in the city. Just days before the Council decision, Mr Gillin had said that football in Exeter was at the crossroads.
1962
Exeter City vice-chairman George Gillin gave an assurance that the Club would not become another Accrington Stanley, despite their poor financial state, he said that if Chairman Reg Rose and himself had not been prepared to carry on and put money into the Club, then Exeter City FC would no longer be in existence. He admitted the Club needed help, but there was no doubt that they would carry on. Meanwhile secretary Keith Honey said the withdrawal of Accrington, whom City were due to visit for a Fourth Division fixture would save the Club about £60. It would have cost City around £160 in travelling and hotel expenses, but Accrington would have had to guarantee £100 of that sum.
1969
What now for Fred Binney? That was the burning question among Exeter City supporters who had seen the striker net five goals in a weekIt was felt that the Grecians should have bought the player from Torquay United and not obtained him on a loan arrangement. It was reckoned that up to a few weeks earlier Torquay would have willingly sold the player who had netted 64 goals for their Western League side but found first team opportunities limited Now with him in scoring form in the Fourth Division for Exeter, it seemed that the Grecians were going to miss out on the player. Torquay, it was reported would have taken £2,000 for the player, even in instalments, but his value since his arrival at St James' Park had doubled.
1970
When Exeter City officials arrived at St James' Park they found various slogans daubed around the ground in connection with the Exeter University Irish Festival Week. The words 'Rag 70, Please Give Generously' - were painted on the wall outside the grandstand in Well Street and 'Rag 70' appeared on various boards in front of the Cowshed. City FC chairman said it was just plain stupid and would cause the Club a great deal of inconvenience and work to remove the slogans.
1984
Exeter City's associate schoolboy goalkeeper Howard Whitehouse was selected for an England tour of Europe that coming summer, He was in the England Schools squad for the rest of the season and was standing by for the Cross Channel trip. Whitehouse, from Birmingham, spent two days training with the England squad at Bisham Abbey in preparation for a series of forthcoming internationals, including one at Wembley against Holland.
1990
One of Exeter's most promising schoolboy footballers signed for the Grecians, Martin Phillips, 14, was a pupil at St Thomas High School and had been attending the FA School of Excellence at Crediton for three years, He played for Exwick on Saturdays and Ottery St Mary on Sundays as well as for the Exeter and East Devon Schools team. "I have watched him since he was 11 and have been very impressed by his potential" said City's Youth Development Officer Mike Radford. "He will now train with us on a weekly basis and during the school holidays. Next season we will be looking to blood him into one of our junior sides."
1994
Bristol Rovers striker David Mehew arrived at St James' Park in a bid to win a contract with the Grecians. The 26-year old player was a former Leeds United apprentice and had made 230 appearances for Rovers, netting 70 goals. He was hoping to impress manager Terry Cooper when lining up in the City reserve team against Hereford United in a Neville Ovenden Combination League fixture. One player who left the club, however, was midfielder Craig Taylor. He joined Crewe Alexandra on trial two weeks earlier and had now been signed by the Gresty Road club for the remainder of the season. The 20-year olds contract would have ended at City in the summer and was not to be renewed. Taylor made ten senior appearances for the Grecians, five as substitute. Another player expected to leave Exeter was defender Chris White who had been targeted by GM Vauxhall Conference League side Yeovil Town. White had been signed for £25,000 from Peterborough United the previous season by then manager Alan Ballbut was expected to leave the City on a free transfer.
2000
Steve Lovell makes his debut for City in the home win over Halifax having signed on-loan from Portsmouth. Steve scored the only goal - his first ever in league tootball.
Birthdays
Brian Quailey 21/03/1978
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