"The legacy of a lifelong Exeter City fan is providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people to take part in sport. Ted Ashman, who passed away aged 81 in 2019, left £5,000 to Exeter City Supporters’ Club. The club’s committee decided to allocate the funds to providing football coaching opportunities to youngsters whose families may not be able to afford them. The fund is being spread over 10 years, with 20 free places at the Exeter City Community Trust holiday clubs being offered every year."

From Devon Live.

Ted’s son, Giles Ashman, who is chair of the Exeter City Supporters’ Club and volunteers as a match day host at the club’s Supporters’ Trust suite, said the Supporters’ Club’s committee chose to pay for the sessions to reflect his father’s career in primary education, where he viewed sport as a priority. Ted was a headteacher at Blackpool Primary School in Liverton until retirement. He was also a volunteer at Exeter City FC and a pivotal figure and great champion of youth cricket in Devon. Giles said: “When my father passed away in 2019, he wanted to leave some money to the football club. We felt it was important that the money had some impact and working with the Supporters’ Club we decided to donate it to providing holiday club sessions. As he was a primary school headteacher for 30 years, it felt really important to do something which would benefit children of primary school age. We’re also hoping to add to these initial 20 sessions through further fundraising.”

Ted took Giles to his first game at Exeter City in 1973 and he was hooked from there. He said: “The club gave my dad so much pleasure, it’s great to be able to give back in this way.”

Exeter City Community Trust intends to build on Ted’s legacy and offer additional free holiday club places later this year.