JACK EDWARDS – THE MANAGER

Jack Edwards has the honour of being the first ever manager to oversee an Exeter City promotion. Born in Risca, south east Wales, Jack had a decent playing career as a full back, notably at Crystal Palace (223 League appearances) and Rochdale (68).

Edwards joined Exeter in the summer of 1962 as a coach with responsibility for preparing youth players for the first team. He had been recruited to the Grecians by his former manager at Palace, Cyril Spiers who was now the boss at Exeter City.

When Spiers parted company from the club in February 1963, Edwards was appointed as his successor on a temporary basis. It was an odd time being right in the middle of the great freeze and no games took place for nearly two months. But Jack took full advantage to remould the team who went on a nine match unbeaten run once football restarted.    

City finished the season in 17th place, an improvement on 22ndwhen he took over. As a result Jack was appointed on a permanent basis in May. It proved an inspired decision.

Regulars in the promotion team have praised Edward’s contribution. Alan Banks, in a recording on the Grecian Archive, said “We got promotion purely because of one reason, the manager, Jack Edwards. He played to a system and played it home and away. It was fantastic”.

Graham Rees told Mike Blackstone in his book ‘Grecians Going Up’ that Edwards “was his own man. He had been a steady player during his career, but as a manager he got the team well organised”.

Jack Edwards reflecting on the promotion paid tribute to the Supporters Club including their organising of away travel. “It really means a lot to the lads on the field to hear some shouts of encouragement away from home – it means that people have enthusiasm and interest to give up time and money and travel sometimes hundreds of miles to watch them play”.

It is normal nowadays but interesting to see that Edwards and the team also committed to community work at the time – for example visiting children’s wards in local hospitals with cakes.

Edwards resigned as manager in January 1969 but later returned briefly as a trainer in 1973. He also held posts at Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle. Jack died in May 2014 aged 84.

Promotion Factfile

Charlie Vowles who played in Exeter City’s first ever Football League match in 1920 visited the away dressing room when the Grecians played at Halifax on 14 October 1963. Aged 73 he was described as ‘as fit and as sprightly as ever’.