George Croft, a local amateur goalkeeper, appeared in a practice match at St James’ Park in 1924. He played for clubs such as St James and Wonford and lived in Exeter all his life.

Born in Topsham in 1903, George Henry Croft was the youngest of five children belonging to William and Annie Croft, his father being a railway signalman at Topsham. He started work as a hotel porter but progressed to the role of head chef at Dellers Cafe which was destroyed in the Exeter Blitz of May 1942. George also had a short spell in the Coldstream Guards before later serving as a sergeant-cook in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.  

Standing at 6ft 1in, he played as a  goalkeeper for both Wonford and St.James, and having appeared against City’s reserves for the East Devon League XI, was on hand for the practice match at St James Park on 20 August 1924 that was specially arranged for amateurs. 

Marrying Gladys Chudley in 1932, they had four children: June, Ivor (a goalkeeper for Exeter club Peryam United in the 1950s), Derek and Marlene. He died in Beacon Heath, Exeter on 28 October 1971 aged 68.