Hedley Boyce first followed Exeter City in the 1920s and continued to do so until his death in the 1980s. The 'pint sized' sup- porter was well known character around St James's Park, among fellow supporters, players and directors. He spent one season as the official Exeter City club mascot, and ran around the pitch at home matches, suitably attired in City colours, whipping up the crowd's enthusiasm upon the entry of their 'heroes'. Hedley was also at one time a programme seller outside the ground. He could often be seen walking around the city centre during the middle of the week, still attired in a red and white scarf and bobble hat. Exeter City Football Club was his life.

Hedley was forced to retire as the club mascot in November 1964, when he was off work for several weeks after badly straining a leg muscle. He decided to make way for a younger man, as he was aged 54! His place was taken by a much younger person the 6-year-old son of Exeter City Supporters Club committee man, Percy Whitcombe,

Mr Boyce was admitted to hospital in December 1968, after escaping from a house fire with eleven other people in Church Road, St Thomas. He soon recovered, however, as City manager Frank Broome visited him in hospital and news came through that Exeter had been drawn at home to Manchester United in the FA Cup