24th April
On this day in:-
1945
Shareholders of Exeter City were told that there was every prospect of the club taking part in the Football League the following season, but money was needed to enable the Grecians to make a successful comeback. Expenditure was required on the ground, players and the engagement of a manager., Director Sydney Thomas felt confident that the football public of Exeter and district would respond to the club's appeal for £6,000. Besides the appeal for additional share capital, other projects were being planned. It was proposed to hold a big fete at St James' Park during the summer. The club's deficit stood at roughly £19,000 in June 1939, and by the end of June 1944 this had risen slightly to £19,790. Sid Thomas said that whilst the deficit was a millstone that the Company could not bear and that the better course may have been to have gone into liquidation, such a decision would have presented many difficulties Creditors and shareholders would have lost heavily and therefore it was felt that the honest way was to carry on and try to put matters right. There had been no revaluation of assets since the Company had been formed, and they were worth considerably more than the figures shown in the balance sheet.
1953
Exeter City announced the name of their new manager. He was Norman Dodgin from Northampton Town and the younger brother of Fulham boss Bill Dodgin. A left half, Norman was captain of Northampton's Third Division South side that season. As an amateur he cost Newcastle United nothing when signing for the club in 1940. He was transferred to Reading in the 1950 close season and on to Northampton a year later. He would be taking over as manager at Exeter City when his contract with Northampton ran out at the end of the season.
1955
Defender Brian Doyle asked for a transfer, because he felt that the Exeter City crowd were "getting at him." He believed that a section of supporters were against him and that their attitude was hurtful. Brian felt that a change of club would be beneficial, although he stressed he had no complaint with Exeter City FC, and that he was fond of the city, as well as being popular with his fellow players. City manager Norman Dodgin said that he did not want the player to leave"The barrackers are not giving him a fair crack of the whip. He is a grand player and always puts the team first."
1963
A permit player was a term used to describe a professional who had retired from the paid ranks but wished to play in an amateur match. Apart from former City professionals Frank Houghton, Billy Dunlop and George Willis who were playing locally for Houghton's Old Stars, it was reported that several other former Grecians were now permit players, including:- Ted Buckle (Manchester works team, Lancashire Steel), Fred Davey (Crediton United), Gordon Kaile (Blandford United in Dorset), Bill Mustard (Telephone Managers Office in Devon) Bill Harrower (Newton Poppleford) John Porteous (Shottermill in Surrey) Alan Brown (Eagle House Old Boys in Somerset) Bill Hammond (Hanwell Town).
1970
It was announced that admission prices were to be raised for the start of the following season. Ground admission would be six shillings (an increase of one shilling), Juveniles would pay three shillings-up sixpence. Stand tickets would cost ten shillings whilst stand season tickets would be on sale at £9 10s. Ground seasons would cost £6. Exeter City chairman Les Kerslake said that the board of directors regretted the need to increase the prices, but had no alternative with the cost of everything risingHe added that most Football League clubs would be increasing their admission prices for the next season.
1974
Exeter City FC were fined by the Football League for refusing to play their match at Scunthorpe United on 2nd April The Grecians were fined £5,000 to be paid by 1st June, and ordered to pay Scunthorpe £1,026 82p for the loss of their average gate receipts. They were also ordered to pay £68 20p costs incurred by Scunthorpe for their match arrangements. Exeter were additionally ordered to forfeit the match with Scunthorpe being awarded the points. The reaction of City officials was one of shock. Manager John Newman said it was a shattering decision and wondered what the club could do about it Chairman Gerald Vallance, who had been appointed to the position just 24 hours earlier, described the decision as disgracefulHe felt it was a terrific financial blow to the club as the League Management Committee had seemingly searched for every penny they could screw out of the club.
1984
Beleaguered Exeter City chairman Clifford Hill broke his silence to condemn the "mischief making" of former director Dan McCauley. The City chairman did not want any disruption within the club than was absolutely necessary whilst the team were battling against the odds to avoid relegation. "I am not going to get into a war of words with Mr McCauley," he said he was not impressed by McCauley's stunt which included a St JamesPark fly past by a plane trailing a banner Without Dan, It's downhill.' Hill added: "I am not into circus antics. We are into professional football. I do not want to do aerobatics but did I would do them myself. I would not need to hire a pilot."
1990
With Exeter City celebrating promotion to the Third Division, manager Terry Cooper pledged himself to the club for the rest of his managerial career. As the chants of ecstatic supporters echoed around St James' Park, Cooper said: "I don't want to stay in football for the rest of my life, but I won't leave Exeter for any other club. I am delighted we have won promotion, but I want the title nowWhen we do that, then I'll go berserk" The victorious Exeter City first team squad had been promised a week in the sun for clinching promotion. The club's board of directors agreed to send the players on an all expenses paid trip to the Mediterranean, possibly Majorca.
1993
The Football League ordered Exeter City to appear before them to explain their poor disciplinary record, which included 70 bookings and three players being sent off during the course of the season. That matched the Club's disciplinary record of the previous season when they were fined £6,000, suspended for 12 monthsif they did not clean up their act.
1994
Exeter City were about to make two signings, trainee left-back Gary Rice was being offered a full professional contract and goalkeeper Ross Bellotti was to become one of the new intake of trainees for the next season. 18-year old Rice had been offered a one- year deal with manager Terry Cooper saying: "He is a player with talent and we think that given time he could develop very well." 15-year old Bellotti who had already played for the City youth team, had trials with Bolton Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle, but opted to sign for the Grecians. Meanwhile it was announced that Burnley's supporters would have sole use of the Big Bank terracing when they visited St James' Park on 7th May. It was expected that up to 4,000 of their supporters would be travelling to the game as the team were on course to reach one of the play off positionsA club spokesman said the move was necessary as the police did not want hundreds of Burnley fans locked out from the small St JamesRoad terracing. Everton manager Mike Walker, who was at City's match against Rotherham, was believed to be tracking 18-year old winger Martin Phillips. Manager Cooper said: Martin has got stacks of potential and make no mistake about it, will start to turn the bidding into an auction if clubs start to show an interest."
Birthdays
1945
Shareholders of Exeter City were told that there was every prospect of the club taking part in the Football League the following season, but money was needed to enable the Grecians to make a successful comeback. Expenditure was required on the ground, players and the engagement of a manager., Director Sydney Thomas felt confident that the football public of Exeter and district would respond to the club's appeal for £6,000. Besides the appeal for additional share capital, other projects were being planned. It was proposed to hold a big fete at St James' Park during the summer. The club's deficit stood at roughly £19,000 in June 1939, and by the end of June 1944 this had risen slightly to £19,790. Sid Thomas said that whilst the deficit was a millstone that the Company could not bear and that the better course may have been to have gone into liquidation, such a decision would have presented many difficulties Creditors and shareholders would have lost heavily and therefore it was felt that the honest way was to carry on and try to put matters right. There had been no revaluation of assets since the Company had been formed, and they were worth considerably more than the figures shown in the balance sheet.
1953
Exeter City announced the name of their new manager. He was Norman Dodgin from Northampton Town and the younger brother of Fulham boss Bill Dodgin. A left half, Norman was captain of Northampton's Third Division South side that season. As an amateur he cost Newcastle United nothing when signing for the club in 1940. He was transferred to Reading in the 1950 close season and on to Northampton a year later. He would be taking over as manager at Exeter City when his contract with Northampton ran out at the end of the season.
1955
Defender Brian Doyle asked for a transfer, because he felt that the Exeter City crowd were "getting at him." He believed that a section of supporters were against him and that their attitude was hurtful. Brian felt that a change of club would be beneficial, although he stressed he had no complaint with Exeter City FC, and that he was fond of the city, as well as being popular with his fellow players. City manager Norman Dodgin said that he did not want the player to leave"The barrackers are not giving him a fair crack of the whip. He is a grand player and always puts the team first."
1963
A permit player was a term used to describe a professional who had retired from the paid ranks but wished to play in an amateur match. Apart from former City professionals Frank Houghton, Billy Dunlop and George Willis who were playing locally for Houghton's Old Stars, it was reported that several other former Grecians were now permit players, including:- Ted Buckle (Manchester works team, Lancashire Steel), Fred Davey (Crediton United), Gordon Kaile (Blandford United in Dorset), Bill Mustard (Telephone Managers Office in Devon) Bill Harrower (Newton Poppleford) John Porteous (Shottermill in Surrey) Alan Brown (Eagle House Old Boys in Somerset) Bill Hammond (Hanwell Town).
1970
It was announced that admission prices were to be raised for the start of the following season. Ground admission would be six shillings (an increase of one shilling), Juveniles would pay three shillings-up sixpence. Stand tickets would cost ten shillings whilst stand season tickets would be on sale at £9 10s. Ground seasons would cost £6. Exeter City chairman Les Kerslake said that the board of directors regretted the need to increase the prices, but had no alternative with the cost of everything risingHe added that most Football League clubs would be increasing their admission prices for the next season.
1974
Exeter City FC were fined by the Football League for refusing to play their match at Scunthorpe United on 2nd April The Grecians were fined £5,000 to be paid by 1st June, and ordered to pay Scunthorpe £1,026 82p for the loss of their average gate receipts. They were also ordered to pay £68 20p costs incurred by Scunthorpe for their match arrangements. Exeter were additionally ordered to forfeit the match with Scunthorpe being awarded the points. The reaction of City officials was one of shock. Manager John Newman said it was a shattering decision and wondered what the club could do about it Chairman Gerald Vallance, who had been appointed to the position just 24 hours earlier, described the decision as disgracefulHe felt it was a terrific financial blow to the club as the League Management Committee had seemingly searched for every penny they could screw out of the club.
1984
Beleaguered Exeter City chairman Clifford Hill broke his silence to condemn the "mischief making" of former director Dan McCauley. The City chairman did not want any disruption within the club than was absolutely necessary whilst the team were battling against the odds to avoid relegation. "I am not going to get into a war of words with Mr McCauley," he said he was not impressed by McCauley's stunt which included a St JamesPark fly past by a plane trailing a banner Without Dan, It's downhill.' Hill added: "I am not into circus antics. We are into professional football. I do not want to do aerobatics but did I would do them myself. I would not need to hire a pilot."
1990
With Exeter City celebrating promotion to the Third Division, manager Terry Cooper pledged himself to the club for the rest of his managerial career. As the chants of ecstatic supporters echoed around St James' Park, Cooper said: "I don't want to stay in football for the rest of my life, but I won't leave Exeter for any other club. I am delighted we have won promotion, but I want the title nowWhen we do that, then I'll go berserk" The victorious Exeter City first team squad had been promised a week in the sun for clinching promotion. The club's board of directors agreed to send the players on an all expenses paid trip to the Mediterranean, possibly Majorca.
1993
The Football League ordered Exeter City to appear before them to explain their poor disciplinary record, which included 70 bookings and three players being sent off during the course of the season. That matched the Club's disciplinary record of the previous season when they were fined £6,000, suspended for 12 monthsif they did not clean up their act.
1994
Exeter City were about to make two signings, trainee left-back Gary Rice was being offered a full professional contract and goalkeeper Ross Bellotti was to become one of the new intake of trainees for the next season. 18-year old Rice had been offered a one- year deal with manager Terry Cooper saying: "He is a player with talent and we think that given time he could develop very well." 15-year old Bellotti who had already played for the City youth team, had trials with Bolton Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle, but opted to sign for the Grecians. Meanwhile it was announced that Burnley's supporters would have sole use of the Big Bank terracing when they visited St James' Park on 7th May. It was expected that up to 4,000 of their supporters would be travelling to the game as the team were on course to reach one of the play off positionsA club spokesman said the move was necessary as the police did not want hundreds of Burnley fans locked out from the small St JamesRoad terracing. Everton manager Mike Walker, who was at City's match against Rotherham, was believed to be tracking 18-year old winger Martin Phillips. Manager Cooper said: Martin has got stacks of potential and make no mistake about it, will start to turn the bidding into an auction if clubs start to show an interest."
Birthdays
|
Angus |
Mackay |
24/04 |
1925 |
|
Barry |
Rowan |
24/04 |
1942 |
|
Christy |
Pym |
24/04 |
1995 |
|
Ellis |
Stuttard |
24/04 |
1920 |
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