Chris Gillard, originally with Crediton, was a reserve, ‘A’ team and youth player for Exeter City between 1962 and 1966. Playing against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup in 1963, he had a brief spell with Dawlish before returning to Crediton in 1967 where he played, managed and served on the committee for many years. 

After playing as a sixteen-year-old for Crediton United’s first-team, and representing Devon youth against Dorset, he signed as an amateur for Exeter City’s ‘A’ team in 1962 and attended St James’ Park for training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. A highlight of his time at the club was playing at Highbury in the FA Youth Cup in April 1963 against an Arsenal team that included Peter Storey, Peter Simpson, John Radford and Jon Sammels.

Remaining with the Grecians until 1966, he continued to mainly play for City’s side in the Devon and Exeter League and also represented the City of Exeter against Rennes in the annual twinning sports festival. 

Joining Dawlish Town for the first-half of the 1966/67,and by now representing Devon at senior level, he moved back to Crediton United early in 1967 where he played until well into his thirties before managing some of the club’s teams and serving on the committee for many years.