Although not yet 'manager', Walter 'Jock' Basford was in charge of Exeter City's first-team when the club was relegated to Division Four in 1966. Subsequently confirmed in the post, he was at the helm for less than a year before later becoming manager of Mansfield Town. Never appearing in the Football League, he had qualified as a coach during a lengthy non-league career that was interupted by the war.

After having had trials for Derby County and Nottingham Forest as a teenager, the 20-year-old Walter (universally known as 'Jock') joined Gainsborough Trinity in the summer of 1939 only for football to be suspended on the outbreak of war.  Although he guested for various professional clubs during the war, 'Jock' was destined to never play in the Football League and continued his career after the cessation of hostilities with the likes of Brush Sports, Grantham Town and Gloucester City before a spell as player-manager of Margate between 1949 and 1950. He then had a second stint at Gainsborough ahead of managing Holbeach United prior to turning out once more for Gainsborough. A qualified FA coach, he eventually joined the professional ranks when appointed a trainer-coach at Charlton Athletic.

Enjoying seven years at the Valley Jock's association with Exeter City started when, after a somewhat surprise promotion in 1963/64, the Grecians were soon struggling under Ellis Stuttard. Hired as trainer and assistant manager in November 1965, 'Jock' was asked within four months to take charge of team affairs even though Mr Stuttard had not been officially relieved of his duties.