Ray Freeman, stationed at Topsham Barracks in 1939 whilst still officially registered with Manchester City, was effectively on loan to Exeter City when he appeared for the club in the Football League at the start of the 1939/40 season that was soon declared null and void.   

Worcestershire-born, Ray had appeared for Bromsgrove Rovers and Cradley Heath before signing for Manchester City in 1936. Aged eighteen, he made his debut against Portsmouth in January 1937 as a replacement for the renowned Peter Doherty and went on to play a total of four games for the Maine Road club scoring once.

Stationed with the Royal Field Artillery at Topsham in 1939, Exeter City approached Manchester City - who held Ray’s registration even though he had not signed a new contract - and were told he could play with military permission. 

Appearing against Torquay United on 26 August 1939 in a Football League Division Three (South) fixture, Ray was destined not to have officially played for the Grecians in the competition when the league season was soon declared ‘null and void’.

Ray re-appeared for Exeter in a friendly in 1945.