EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB

The Grecians: Season 1922 1923

CITY RE-ELECTED.

The results of the voting for Football League vacancies at the annual meeting was as follows:

Elected:- Southend United 36 votes, Exeter City 32. Not elected: Pontypridd 21, Bath City 1, Llanelly 0.

OBJECTS IN VIEW: -

1. To finish above the half-way line in the Third Division.
2. To make a splash in the Southern League Competition.
3. To win through to the F.A.Cup, Competition Proper.
4. To win back the "Spooner Cup" from Plymouth Argyle.

A London newspaper writer has been informing his readers that at the end of this season Exeter City, Southend United, and some other unfortunate club will be struggling desperately again to avoid the two bottom positions in the Southern section. It is not known what they think about it at Southend, but at St James's Park optimism runs high. The feeling is that the team has been made a great deal stronger and is good enough to at least hold its own in the Southern competition.

DO IT NOW.

One thing is certain. If Exeter City want to feel comfortable at the tail-end of the season they must make good right away.

Delay is dangerous. The programme for March and April is as stiff as anything on the board. Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth, Luton Town, and Queen's Park Rangers all have to be encountered in the two closing months, along with Millwall, who with their new
season's goods are likely to prove as formidable a side as any in the South.

True, the Grecians's two last matches will be with Gillingham, but seeing that the Hoppers took three points from Exeter in the season last past, success in these games cannot be guaranteed. So Exeter City must "do it now." Points are never so difficult to obtain as when a club is down and fighting to rise. There is a wild scramble then for the top positions and to get away from the bottom. Exeter City must develop the habit of winning their home matches, and returning from their journeyings with as many points and as good a name as can be won by men who play the game.
JIMMY RIGBY AND ANNO DOMINI.

It seems fairly certain right from the outset that one change might be advisable in the City half-back line.

No player more conscientious than Jimmy Rigby ever donned a football shirt, and he can still render splendid service in the event of an emergency. Always in condition, always consistent, and always sound in his methods, he is a model for the young players at the club. "Anno Domini," however, puts a period to everyone's service, and Rigby can hardly be relied upon to stick the strain. and pace of Southern Division soccer the season through.

BACKS AND HALF BACKS.

Outstanding among the new half-backs is Leonard Southway, the powerfully built player from Bristol City, and Bristol born.

Six seasons spent with the Ashton Gate club have endowed him with ripe experience, and he is now in his prime. Southway's best position is centre half, yet most of his appearances for Bristol during the past two seasons have been made at full back.

Horace Clarke, the former Chesterfield captain, is another man of proved ability, and in Richards, of Scunthorpe United, Exeter have secured a strongly built player of much promise.

The new full backs have yet to prove their worth in first-class football, but this division should certainly turn out to be a good deal stronger than that of last season, even if only because of the greater keen-ness of the players, and their desire to bring this department up to the same standard of excellence likely to be attained by the half backs and forwards.

THE NEW ATTACK.

Newport County parted with Devlin, amongst others, ostensibly because they wanted younger blood. They were also desirous of economising. Devlin is not now the dashing, tear-away player of a decade ago, who rattled in the last of Cardiff City's five goals against the Grecians in a Cup-tie. He expends less energy. But the artistry is more finished. He is full of soccer guile, and it will soon be seen whether or not he can still get goals.

Certain it is that in Alan Mathieson, the Irish International, and Harold Crockford, from Fulham, the City have secured two of the cleverest and brainiest inside forwards that ever wore the Club colours.

DOCKRAY'S UNDERSTUDY.

Jimmy Green is rapidly recovering from his unlucky accident at Watford last December, and should be available for match play in another month or two. Parsons, the Chagford player who assisted the last season, is a dashing young forward who should make rapid headway in the game this season. Then there are also Charlie Vowles and William Camble, both inside forwards of proved ability.

Dockray and Newman are on their respective wings, with two very capable understudies in George Shelton and Alf Matthews. The City attack should knit into a strong, thrustful force, and one which is capable of providing very attractive football.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE.

The Southern League campaign will be all the more interesting, now that Torquay United, with their galaxy of Scottish stars, and Yeovil, with Wright to lead their attack, are in the competition, along with Plymouth Argyle, the two Bristol clubs, and Bath City. Exeter City's eleven will be a much improved side, particularly as men of its members will be eager to play their way into the first team.

DEPARTURES.

No fewer than five of last year's Grecians will be seen in the colours of Torquay United this season. They are Gaskell, Squires, Percy Hill, and Hookway, together with Tommy Townsend, who played for the Magpies before joining the City in February.

The other departures are Stewart to Wigan Borough, Brown, who has returned to Blackpool, MacKechnie to Stockport County, Edge to Blackpool, Congdon to Accrington Stanley, and "Jazzo" Kirk, who has been claimed back by Plymouth Argyle.

PLAYERS AND PROSPECTS FOR 1922-23

Biggest Team Ever:

Exeter City means business this season, and there is a "Big Push" on at St James's Park. The club finished the last campaign with a slender balance, financially, on the right side, but the loss would have been heavy had it not been for the transfer fees received from Bolton Wanderers in respect of Dick Pym, which is included in the account for the financial year just ended.

Except for an occasional bright patch, and a very fine closing rally (the latter due almost entirely to the introduction of Kirk to the attack) the Grecians's play in season 1921-2 was altogether out of proportion to the club's wage bill, unless in the one fact that both the wages and the football were heavy.

RE-ELECTED AND REVIVIFIED.

A big change has come over the scene during the summer months. The club realises fully that many seasons like the last two would spell "Good-Bye to the Football League."

Re-elected and revivified, Exeter City are out to establish themselves high up in the Southern Division in the first half of the season, so that the later stages of the competition may be tackled without the feeling that every point won or lost is a matter of life or death. The officers of the club are very much in earnest, and the players are keen and conscientious.

Mr Chadwick, like most North-countrymen, prefers to deal with the present, and is not the man to speak in prophetic vein of the season that is coming. However, watching the players at practice, he went so far as to say that the City team will be the biggest the club has ever had, and that they ought to do very well.

PROBLEM OF DEFENCE.

The City Club has acted wisely in retaining the pick of last season's men as the basis on which to build the new team. Many of the players, individually, were of proved worth. Harry Kirk was the big personality in the side at the tail-end of last season, but he has been re-signed by Plymouth Argyle. The question, now, of course, arises of who will take his place as a leader. Devlin, Mathieson, and Crockford are a likely-looking inside trio, all of whom have had plenty of experience. The club is well supplied with capable wing forwards in Newman and Matthews on the right, with Dockray and Shelton on the left. It is not too much to expect that the City attack will be one of the best the club has possessed at any time in its history.

At half-back, in addition to the three who served the City so well last season, there are Southway, Clarke, and Richards.

The full-backs are not very experienced, but all four are sturdy and keen. This department will be watched with particular attention. Harry Fryer will, keep goal again, and must do it well, and regularly, to allow of the development in the Southern League of Joe Dart, who "kept" so well for Willey's Cadets last season. It is a big jump, though, from East Devon League junior football to the Southern League.

Exeter City Players

COMPLETE LIST OF THIS SEASON'S GRECIANS

HARRY FRYER of Luton. With Exeter City last season, previously with Luton Town and Luton Clarence. Has a heap of Athenian League and Bedfordshire County medals, and a monkey mascot from Seaton. Is sometimes called Tarzan by his intimate friends.

REG. LORAM, of Alphington. Amateur goalkeeper for Exeter City for several seasons. Often travelled in charge of reserve teams last season. Will not be so busy when the harvest season is over, and may take a turn "between the sticks" occasionally.

JOSEPH DART, of Exeter. Willey's Cadets custodian last season. He shows promise of being a very good goalkeeper.

ROBERT POLLARD, of Plattbridge, near Wigan. Has served the City famously during two seasons. Formerly with Plattbridge United and Plank Lane.

EDWIN BELL, of Bristol. Has spent one season each with Bristol City and Welton Rovers, and hopes to help Exeter City make history this campaign.



ANDREW FLYNN, of Sheffield, or thereabouts. Played in a trial for Brentford, but did not fix up, and has since been with Mexborough for two Midland League campaigns.

JOHN ACKROYD, of Rotherham. Was with Rotherham County for a spell in the first season after the war, and has been playing regularly since for Scunthorpe United. Found the Devon air rather sleepy till he had a dip at Dawlish Warren. He has been keeping a sharp look-out ever since.

ELLIS CROMPTON, of Ramsbottom, near Padiham. Captained Exeter City last season, but honours rest upon him very lightly. He wears no skull cap, and can be spotted easily. His professional football career began in 1906 with Blackburn Rovers, since when he has played for Tottenham Hotspur, Exeter City (1912-13), and Bristol Rovers.

JAMES RIGBY, of Bolton. Has been doing his level best for Exeter City ever since the autumn of 1911, and captained the side in 1919-20. Takes an interest in everything and is keen on cricket.

JAMES MITTON, of Brierfield, near Burnley. Was known as "John' brother" when he joined the Grecians last summer, but is respecte now for his own sterling qualities also. Has played for Stockport County and Darren, and although the lucky possessor of a good baritone voice is rarely heard on the field of play.

LEONARD SOUTHWAY, of Bristol. Took to the centre-half berth as duck takes to water, but had few chances in that position during all his six seasons with Bristol City. Strips like a boxer, keeps the ball on the floor, and believes in giving his forwards plenty to do. Known as "Lemmie" to his friends.

HORACE CLARKE, of Pleasley. Looks lightly built because of his height, being one inch under six feet. Going a little thin on top. Captained Chesterfield last season, assisted Merthyr Town in 35 League matches in 1920-21 and was previously with Coventry City. A most useful player.

WILLIAM RICHARDS, of Sheffield. A strapping young "Blade." Had a season each with Sheffield United and Scunthorpe, and looks like having a good one here when he settles down.

FRANK NEMMAN, of Nuneaton. Came to Exeter from Port Vale twelve months ago, and has shown that lack of "inches" is no handicap. He is built on shock-absorbing lines, he can travel fast, and fears no foe.

ALFRED MATTHEWS, of Bristol. Has been with Bristol City for seasons, but like many another good player, has found it hard two to get a real chance at the start. Is very speedy, and controls the ball perfectly. Will certainly make a first class forward if he continues on the right lines.

HAROLD CROCKFORD, of Derby. Was anapped up by Fulham along with four others when playing for Chathan, in the Kent League. Spent five seasons at Craven Cottage, and cane South-west for domestic reasons. Has played in nearly eighty Division II games in the past three seasons. Is cool and elever, is at home in any of the three inside-forward positions, and can shoot well.

WILLIAM CAMBLE, of Exeter. Joined Exeter City from Friernhay last season,and scored eight Southern League goale, four of them in one match, against Norwich City.

WILLIAM DEVLIN, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Joined Cardiff City in 1912. And played against the Grecians in that ill-fated Cup tie of the 1912/13 season He went to Newport in the course of season 1919-20. Has mostly played at centre-forward, and is cool and clever.

CHARLES PARSONS, of Chagford. A dashing centre-forward, who tries always to do better than in his last match. Barring accidents, he will quickly make good.

CHARLES VOWLES, of Bedminster, Bristol. Has come along famously at the tail-end of each of his two seasons with the Grecians. Never afraid to have a shot at goal, from any distance or angle. He was serving with the 9th Lancers when he was spotted by Exeter City.

ALAN MATHIESON, of Belfast. A good-natured giant. After assisting Glentoran in the Irish League for three seasons he joined Laton Town towards the close of 1919-20. Scored sixteen goals in his first complete season with the "Strawplaiters," and has won two International caps for Ireland.

JOHN DOCKRAY, of Carlisle. Has given the Grecians consistent and brilliant service on the left wing ever since 1914, and formerly assisted Bury and Carlisle United. Has played for the Southern League Representative XI. Looking forward to a tip-top time with Mathieson as his partner.

GEORGE SHELTON, of Sheffield. In two and a half seasons with The Wednesday he has made 25 appearances with the Chiefs. Is eager to make a name for himself.

JAMES (JASPER) GREEN, of Preston. Was just getting into his stride last December, when he broke a leg at Watford. Is as strong as a horse, and will make things lively when he gets going again. He is training regularly and often.

Headquarters and ground:-
St James's Park,
Exeter. Club colours:-
Red and white stripes, white knickers.

Directors:-
Mesars M.J.McGahey (chairman), J.1.Pengelly, E.Head, A.G.Chamberlain, A.M.Kendall, 7.Parkhouse, T.Neal, F.P.Nichols, V.Burford.

Secretary: Mr S..Thomas.
Manager:- Hr A.Chadwick.
Trainer:- Hr B.J.Tucker.
Captain:- E. Crompton.

Vice-captain:- J. Rigby.