1957-1959 Albert Stanley Line
Birthplace
West Ham 1909
Biographical Text
Albert Stanley Line, a timber merchant in his late forties, was chairman of Exeter City between 1957 and 1959 when he aimed to bring a series of major changes to the club. In poor health during his time at St James' Park, he died a few months after stepping down.
Born in West Ham in 1909, Albert Stanley Line was a 48-year-old timber merchant when he took over as chairman of Exeter City in the spring of 1957 having already been a director. Seen as a man of enthusiasm, and of 'big ideas', he was in poor health when he took the helm and was keen to make changes as soon as possible.
Within weeks, even though City's players rallied in support of their manager, he had overseen the dismissal of Norman Dodgin who had been in charge of team affairs since 1953. Believing that the job should be a purely coaching role - with existing administrative duties redistributed to others - Mr Line appointed Bill Thompson of Guildford City as Dodgin's replacement. But, with City on track to finish at the foot of Division Three (South) in its final season, the new manager had departed by January 1958 to be replaced by former England international Frank Broome.
Although City's fortunes markedly improved in 1958/59, Mr Line's health continued to decline and he stepped down as chair in 1959 in favour of George Gillin. He died shortly afterwards, in Falmouth in June 1960, at the age of fifty-one having left City's board towards the end of the previous year.
Born in West Ham in 1909, Albert Stanley Line was a 48-year-old timber merchant when he took over as chairman of Exeter City in the spring of 1957 having already been a director. Seen as a man of enthusiasm, and of 'big ideas', he was in poor health when he took the helm and was keen to make changes as soon as possible.
Within weeks, even though City's players rallied in support of their manager, he had overseen the dismissal of Norman Dodgin who had been in charge of team affairs since 1953. Believing that the job should be a purely coaching role - with existing administrative duties redistributed to others - Mr Line appointed Bill Thompson of Guildford City as Dodgin's replacement. But, with City on track to finish at the foot of Division Three (South) in its final season, the new manager had departed by January 1958 to be replaced by former England international Frank Broome.
Although City's fortunes markedly improved in 1958/59, Mr Line's health continued to decline and he stepped down as chair in 1959 in favour of George Gillin. He died shortly afterwards, in Falmouth in June 1960, at the age of fifty-one having left City's board towards the end of the previous year.
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