Fred Mavin (more correctly Maven) became Exeter City’s second manager when he replaced Arthur Chadwick in January 1923. Recently retired from playing, he managed the Grecians until November 1927 when he accepted a better paid job with Crystal Palace.

Aged thirty-eight at the time of his arrival at St James' Park, he had started his career as an attacking centre-half in his native Newcastle with Todds Nook and Benwell Adelaide before turning professional with Newcastle United. Not making a league appearance for his hometown club, he enjoyed more success with New Brompton (later to become Gillingham) from 1905 before moving on to Fulham where he was captain for five seasons before the Great War. 

Subsequently helping Bradford Park Avenue to promotion in 1914, Fred signed for Reading after the war where he suffered a serious knee injury from which he never properly recovered before seeing out his professional career with Boscombe (later to become Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic) during the 1921/22 season. 

Having returned to the North East, where he had been playing in the North Eastern League with Shildon Athletic, he took up the position of Exeter City manager in January 1923 following Arthur Chadwick’s departure to Reading after fourteen years at the helm. 

Taking over a team that had finished 21st in Division Three (South) in Chadwick’s final season, the Grecians were already headed to a 20th place finish when the new manager arrived in late January. Thereafter he steered the club to 16th, 7th, 20th and 12th places before accepting a new position at Crystal Palace in November 1927.

Generally regarded as leaving City in a better place than they were on his arrival - the team went on to finish 8th in 1927/28 after his departure - his main successes were the signings of players such as Harry Bailey, Stan Charlton, Charlie Miller, Billy Compton, George Purcell and Jock Ditchburn.  Furthermore Fred Mavin was also responsible for the signing of three local players who went on to better things in the shape of Cliff Bastin, Harold Blackmore and Wilf Lowton. He was also to sign Billy McDevitt who later proved to be City’s most successful manager between the wars. 

Remaining with Crystal Palace until 1930, Mr Mavin then returned to Kent to manage Gillingham between 1932 and 1937 before settling in Bradford where he died in 1957.