1977/78

THURSDAY JULY 21st
FLYING POST

LADIES SOCCER MARCHES ON

Womens football got underway in this country as a direct result of the 1966 World Cup Competition, when women all over the country decided it was time to break into this male dominated sport. Nearly 10 years later in 1974, a group of Exeter City supporters formed what was to become Exeter Ladies Football Club

In the 1975-76 season the club entered the Dean Developement Trophy, a local competition for Devon Womens Football Clubs. It was to be the start of an era for ladies football in Devon, Exeter won the cometition and along with other clubs who took part, formed the Devon Womens Football League which finally got under way in September 1976.


THE EXETER LADIES STORY

We have to go back to 1970 to find the first traces of Exeter Ladies. Football everywhere was riding the crest of a wave. England were pre- paring to defend the World Cup in Mexico, and the fever which hit the country in 1966 returned with vengeance.

It was not really surprising that the female fraternity began to wonder whether there was anything else in life but football, and it did not take long for a group of girls to form a team to play the male chauvanists who insisted girls couldn't play. The first records we have of our team are the "Golden Girls", which consisted of, Yvonne Hales, Patrice Martin, Julie Dunlop, Ruth Broadhurst, Bev. Critchard, Shelley Trace, Ness Byrne, Karen Cox, June Salter. These girls played against Bishop Blackall School, who had just formed a girls team (a girl called Sue Carpenter played for Bishop Blackall - Uugh!), the Western National Bus Company, and a few men's teams. Finding it difficult to keep getting opposition the team disbanded for a while, until in January 1975 the team was reformed to play more friendly games. Tiverton had just formed a Ladies team, Lympstone had just formed a team, and Chard were already playing regularly. A Manager was obtained for the team, and the Club entered the Pat Sowden Cup and the Dean Development Trophy, both instigated for the Development of Ladies Football. The success of the Dean Development Trophy led to the formation of the Devon Women's League. However, before completing the Dean Development Trophy games, Ray Ellis took over as Manager of the Ladies, and the Club changed their name to Exeter Ladies.

It is history now that Exeter won that Dean Development Trophy, but for the forthcoming season the Devon League would be in operation and Ray felt that he could not devote the time required to the girls team, bearing in mind his already full diary. The search was on for a new manager. It was a twist of fate and a father in law which supplied that manager. Hedley Palmer, a follower of the girls team, just happened to have a sucker for a son in law, and I was invited to the Club House to see the girls presented with the Dean Development Trophy and to meet.

BEHIND THE SCENES

The players have worked hard to prepare for this season, both first and second team members, but one thing which has made it even more difficult has been the work load for our committee, who are also players. Is there anyone who does not play who would like to help us operate?

There are a host of jobs which could be split up among two or three people, just being done by one person who doubles as a player. Do we have anyone interested in becoming a regular linesman. Both teams need linesmen for home and away matches. How about first aiders? At the moment the respective managers double as trainers, running on with sprays, water, etc. It is difficult trying to control the first aid box, treat players, study the game, and sometimes running the line as well.

We need a fund raising committee. Can you help in that area? Our fund raising is organised by the players themselves, and one look at the fixture lists will show you what time they will have. We are now con- trolling over thirty players and all this control is upon the shoulders of approx. 3 or 4 people who also play.

Who can help with travelling arrangements with away games? We always need more cars when we cannot afford mini bus hire. Anyway, I have just tried to point out some areas where we often find problems, and obviously we would welcome offers of support. If you can help, in any way, even if not in any of the things mentioned, please let us know. Thanks very much indeed.