Fred Gidley made his debut as an amateur for the reserves against Bath City on the 9th May 1952.

Gidley was a young amateur, who made his debut against Hereford on the 11th September 1952. He played at full back with his brother the other full back in the same game. City lost 7-0 in the Southern League Cup.

He was a left back who continued to play for the reserves in the following season.

Ray Goddard who was the manager of Bideford signed Fred Gidley after he left Exeter and in 1955 he moved to Bridgwater Town with his brother. He had scored 30 goals for Bideford.