SEASON         1913/1914

Compiled by A. Wilson

EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
Season 1913-1914:

It is not proposed, at this stage, to go into any long story about the prospects of Exeter City's reconstructed team, for the discussion of prospects before the serious work begins is all a somewhat futile undertaking. Reading some of the lengthy columns which are written at this time of the year on clubs' prospects, it becomes clear that the guessing at prospects is a very hazardous business. Lost newspapers which circulate over wide areas devote several columns to contributions from their correspondents at all the football centres; each correspondent deals with the outlook before the particular club in his centre, and the percentage of clubs who are expected, according to those correspondents, to win their respective Leagues, and have a big say in the Cup, works out at about ninety!

Suffice to say that, on paper, there is a "likely" look about the new Exeter City team. The defence, at any rate, appears to be remarkably solid, though Strettle's ability is being accepted on his past record rather than what he has done in the trials. At centre-forward, of course, Lovett has his spurs still to win, and unless he makes some remarkable advance, it does not appear as if the Grecians will be any stronger in this position than they have been in the past. Indeed, except on the right wing, where Kirby and Whittaker should prove as strong as any pair in the League, there is a good deal of the speculative character about the City attack, so much so, in fact, as to cause one to hesitate before assuming that it will be as good as last year's.
The defence is likely to be better than last season's, but the attack, on the other hand, may prove either very good or quite ordinary.

Esprit de Corps.

One thing about the men Mr Chadwick has got together for 1913-14 can, whatever else is disputed, be said with certainty, namely, that there are absolutely no "rabbits" among them. None of the new men will be so much money in wages thrown away, and few managers pick up a considerable number of new players in the summer and get no "passengers". Exeter had a passenger last year, in Clay. There is no player of his utter lack of promise on the books at the present moment. Indeed, of the Plymouth League side, it is quite likely that it will be a better reserve string than Exeter City has ever had. For instance, there are worse defences even in Southern League first teams today than Loram; Goddard, Harding; Smith, Lagan, and Marshall.

What the City Management need to be principally concerned about is the maintaining of a good feeling that permits of no jarring note, a feeling that is based on contentment. Mr McGahey was quite right when he suggested that "Esprit de Corps" was the City's most useful player last year; it is to be hoped that he has signed on again.

EXETER CITY'S PLAYERS

THE NEW PLAYERS

Reginald Loram, of Alphington, will be Pym's understudy. He is locally known as a past master in the art of goalkeeping.

The defence has been greatly strengthened by the acquisition of three new backs, John Goddard of Lancaster Town, Augustus Harding of Chelsea, Sam Strettle, of Everton and Chesterfield.

The new half-backs are Arthur Evans, who has played for Blackpool and Manchester City, Fred Marshall and William Smith, both of Hyde United, a Lancashire Combination club.

Harold Holt, from Bolton, will be reserve to Whittaker at outside right; on the other wing the choice will lie between J.C.Lee, of Clapton Orient, and H.Orr, of Barnsley. McCann, inside-left, is also from Barnsley. William Lovett is a young centre-forward who has yet to make his mark in first-class football.
To take over from Ellis Crompton the City have engaged W.Kirby, a native of Preston, who is well known in Southern League circles. Kirby signed for Portsmouth in 1904, and in seven seasons with the Fratton Park club scored no fewer than 80 goals in just over 200 appearances. Returning to his "home" club, Preston North End, two years ago, he played in every match in the English League, First Division, scoring fourteen goals, although Preston were relegated, and last season in the Second Division he made 17 appearances and scored eight goals. Kirby will captain Exeter City. 

THE OLD PLAYERS

Crompton has been transferred to Bristol Rovers, Rutter to the Argyle, and Bassett to Swansea Town. Jimmy Garside has returned to Lancashire, and Harry Arscott, an amateur forward who assisted the City Reserves last season, has emigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada, where he is reported to be playing for a local football team.