Exeter City Football Club

*****

'The Grecians'

*****

SEASON 1914/ 1915

 

Compiled by A. Wilson

 

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EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
Season 1914-1915:

 

In the summer of 1914 Exeter City made history, being the first English football club to undertake a tour of South America. This unique honour was bestowed upon the City by the League, that body making the selection at the conclusion of the 1913-14 season, and Exeter City were chosen, according to the League, as a club that was typical of English football.

 

The Exeter City party consisted of the following directors and players, numbering seventeen in all: Messrs McGahey, Parkhouse, and Middleweek, directors; J.Fort, F.Goodwin, A. Harding, H. Holt, W.Hunter, J.Lagan, R.Loram, W.Lovett, F.Marshall, C.Pratt, R.Pym, J.Rigby, W.Smith, S.Strettle, and F.Whittaker. They embarked from Southampton on May 22nd and after playing five matches in the Argentine and three in Brazil, and undergoing some unexpected and exciting experiences (of which more later) arrived in England, at Liverpool, to be precise, on August 9th, just one month before they were due to play their first League match of the new season.

 

Results of the tour matches are as follows:-

 

v. Argentine North	lost	0-1
v. Argentine South	won	3-0
v. Racing Club of Buenos Aires	won	2-0
v. Rosarian League XI	won	3-1
v. Combinadoes	won	5-0
In Brazil:-
v. Rio de Janeiro	won	3-0
v. Fluminense	won	5-3
v. Brazil *	drew	3-3

* The score against Brazil was published as 3-3 in the press of the day, but the actual score was 2-0 to Brazil.

The above results are sufficient indication of how marvellously well the Grecians performed in their missionary tour, they having done more than enough to justify the faith which the League placed in the club when making its selection. In fact, the only one of the games lost by Exeter was played little more than twelve hours from stepping off the boat after a three weeks' sea voyage, and the only other side which escaped defeat by the City was nothing less than the full International eleven of Brazil.

 

It was therefore a very successful trip, and according to Rigby, the Exeter skipper, a very pleasant one. There were also a number of unusual occurrences in the games, some rather startling, and some quite amusing. When the City scored against Racing Club, who are the League Champions of Argentine, the club secretary drew a revolver and threatened to shoot the referee: The official very quickly stopped the game and brought the players off the field, allowing it to continue only after a great deal of persuasion.

 

Against the Rosarian League the City were leading 3-nil with about ten minutes remaining for the final whistle. At that point the Argentinians were awarded a penalty, and scored. The crowd went absolutely wild, letting off fireworks, screaming and shouting, - and the band marched on to the pitch to play the Argentine national anthem half a dozen times. After holding the Brazilian International team to a draw the opinion of the Exeter players was that the standard of play in Brazil is fairly high, but that they would be hopeless against an English League First Division side, or the English International team.

 

The journey home proved rather more eventful, and at times, in fact quite frightening, than was anticipated.

 

 

Monday, August 10th.

GRECIANS HOME

Startling Adventures in the Channel
WAR EXPERIENCES

 

The Exeter City officials and team who toured the Argentine and Brazil arrived in England last night, and several of them at once took the train from Liverpool so as to reach Exeter this morning. They came home on the steam packet "Alcantara", whose maiden trip it was, and three times shots were put across her bows in the adventurous run home from Lisbon, the first shot coming from an English man-of-war and the next two from French vessels.

 

Mr. M. J. McGahey, the Exeter City F.C. chairman, gave the following account to the "Express and Echo."

 

"The R.L.S.P. Alcantara left Rio de Janeiro on July 3rd, having on board a mixed company of English, French, Germans, Brazilians, and Argentines. The ship is, of course, the very latest of the Royal Mail Fleet, being her finest and fastest boat, and of over 18,000 tonnage. Never yet has any vessel had so adventurous and strange a maiden voyage. She had on board a large quantity of bullion, and also a full cargo of frozen meat for Southampton. The news of the declaration of war between France and Germany caused great excitement between the mixed body of passengers, and at last, about 12 midnight, when the wireless message was received as to the declaration of war between England and Germany, the news had a most sobering effect.

 

Everybody felt that the world was fated with a terrible ordeal, the end of which no man could for see. The general opinion amongst English speaking people on board (and there were, naturally, men who for years had been engaged in English commerce in Brazil, the Argentine, Chili, and South America) was one of profound relief that England had refused to be bluffed, and that there was at last an opportunity of putting things right with her great commercial rival.

 

With the declaration of war came a realisation of the danger in which the vessel was placed. She would be a most valuable capture for any German cruiser, and whilst she might be difficult to dispose of, they could take off the gold and sink her after landing the passengers or sending them into port in boats. It was known that there were at least two German boats in the vicinity of Madeira, and accordingly for two nights the "Alacantara" steamed at her utmost capacity, probably about 18 knots, with all lights out, - a precaution of so unusual a character as to forcibly bring home to the minds of the passengers the peculiar danger in which they were placed.

 

Madeira was reached safely, and every possible ounce of coal that could be obtained was got on board speedily, and away we went towards Lisbon. After a night of unlighted steaming we reached the Portuguese capital in the early morning. In Lisbon harbour lay about nineteen large German vessels from the Cape, South America, China, and elsewhere that had sought refuge in the port, and were unable to leave for fear of capture by English or French men-of-war.

 

All the English passengers on these German boats transferred to the "Alcantara" but no Germans were allowed to do so. Every bit of available coal was got on board, and after waiting for half a day for instructions we proceeded to Vigo at full speed. That was last Wednesday, and one can imagine the anxiety on board whenever smoke appeared on his horizon. Was it a war vessel, everyone asked, and if so was it English or German? Vigo was reached in the night, and got more coal. After further instructions had been given to our skipper, we set out for Southampton, and then late that evening we met with a startling adventure.

 

Away on the horizon appeared a column of smoke, and slowly the four funnels of a man-of-war appeared. This vessel, despite our speed, was rapidly overhauling us. There was signalling, and then a gun was fired, and the shot passed over us. The lady passengers became hysterical, and everyone thought it was a German ship. But how magnificently she was manoeuvred up to us, stopped, and ranged alongside. Then we found she was British. She had been flying no flags, but when she was alongside us we saw them displayed in a way which made them almost invisible the British colours. A tremendous storm of cheering went up from the liner's decks.

 

The ship was H.M.S. "Vindictive," and all her decks were cleared for action. We received instructions from her, andsteamed off once more. A little later we met a huge tramp steamer, and signalled to her. We got near enough to her for the skipper to megaphone, and it was rather amusing to hear the tramp's skipper ask: "Am I to understand from your signals there is war between England and Germany?" "Yes, it was declared two days ago," was the reply sent back. "Good heavens" came the voice from the tramp, and the last we saw of her she was lumbering on behind us with a cargo bound for Glasgow.

 

The next morning another man-of-war hove in sight, and again a shot was sent over us. This boat proved to be the "Kleber," of the French navy, and when she was alongside the French sailors cheered the English vessel enthusiastically. Later we had another similar experience from a still bigger French ship, and we Englishmen felt proud when we remembered the magnificent manoeuvring of the H.M.S. Vindictive, and how without doubt it was so much finer than that of the Frenchmen."

 

Mr. McGahey went on to tell how the "Alcantara" was ordered to Start Point, where they arrived in a fog, delighted at the prospect of being so near to Exeter. At the Point, however, the ship was instructed to make for Liverpool, and in rough weather had to round Land's End, and so to the Lancashire coast.

 

All the team are fit and well, and have got over injuries met with in the Argentine.

 

 

The New Season

 

ADVENTURE ON THE HIGH SEAS:

 

Fears were entertained for a few days that Exeter City would be without a League team this season, as nearly the whole of their players were on the sea returning from their Argentine tour when hostilities broke out, and consequently ran the risk of capture by the enemy or being held up at some port or other. But they have come safely through, arriving at Exeter on August 10th.

 

News that England was at war was received at Madeira, and the remainder of the voyage was most exciting, the ship, the Royal Mail steam packet "Alcantara," proceeding at night with all lights out, as previously described in the statement given by Mr M.J.McGahey.

 

It is considered by the officials that the tour has been most beneficial in all ways. It not only enabled the directors to retain the services of nearly the whole of last year's side, but has also served to bring about a most valuable understanding with Hunter, who is probably the most important of the new players engaged, for he was included in the tour party.

 

Of last season's players, fifteen have been re-engaged, together with three of the amateurs, Hunt, Lewis, and Pridham, while Cox, of the Devon Regiment, who played for the reserves on quite a number of occasions in 1913-14, is again available. Of the others, Kirby and Lee left the club as far back as October, the former joining Merthyr Town, whilst Lee returned home on account of the death of his father, and it is not known locally whether or not he has since played. Goddard went to West Ham in December in exchange for Fred Goodwin, whilst McCann was transferred to Bristol Rovers, Orr to Barry, and Brooksbank to Bristol City.

 Former Grecians who have changed clubs include Bulcock, Crystal Palace to Swansea Town, whose manager now is Walter ("Big Walt") Whittaker, and Griffiths, Clapton Orient to Llanelly. It would appear from these moves that South Wales holds a big attraction for ex-Grecians.

 

The new engagements number six, comprising W.Hunter, a bustling, energetic centre-forward from Clapton Orient, and previously with Manchester United; W.Brown, a full-back, late of Rossendale club; William Goodwin, from Blackburn Rovers; Alfred Victor Green, like Goodwin, a centre-forward, from Rotherham Town; John Dockray, an outside-left, from Bury; and S.W.Cowie, an outside or inside right, from Blackpool.

Monday, August 31st.

THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE MEETING

 

At a meeting of the Management Committee of the Football League in London today, a statement was issued relative to the position of the League, its clubs and their fixtures, and the war.

 

The Committee in this, recognises the seriousness of events, and the duty that lies before the young men of England in the hour of need, but desires to point out that millions of people must remain behind to give assistance in other ways. It considers that to sit and mourn would be to aggravate the nation's sorrow, and that any rational sport will help to minimise the grief, and help to lessen the oppression of continuous strain.

 

Contracts, too, entered into legally have to be fulfilled, and the Committee therefore consider that business should be carried on as usual. The League desires that every club should do all in its power to assist the war funds, and train its players to be of national service. The Committee voted £250 to the National Relief Fund, and expressed its gratification that clubs and players had agreed to make a weekly contribution and give a percentage of the gates to the same cause. They further requested the League clubs to make arrangements to have their players instructed in military drill and shooting.

 

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

 

The Football Association today gave £1,000 to the Prince of Wales's and £250 to the Belgian Relief Fund. The Association also expressed its sympathy with that country.

 

With regard to the suggestion that all football games should be stopped, the Football Association considers that the total suspension would be mischievous rather than beneficial, and the following resolution was carried:- "That clubs having professional players are urged to give every facility for their temporary release."

 

A committee was appointed to confer with the War Office and the other authorities as to the best means of carrying the resolution into effect.

 

THE WAR: VIEWS EXPRESSED

Public Opinion and the Football Association
STORM OF PROTEST:

 

1. The "Express and Echo" newspaper, Exeter.

Already one hears on every hand a storm of protest against the Football Association's decision yesterday that the Leagues should continue as usual, - in other words, that thousands of physically fit men in England should spend their time training for and playing football at a period when the fate of their Empire is being held at stake.

 

The Football Association's excuses for their decision appear to be lamentably weak. They say the War Office was favourable to a continuation of football, and that to totally suspend all amusements, especially the people's greatest winter sport, would be mischievous rather than beneficial. They point, also, to the number of men who would be thrown out of employment if the games were stopped, and they then hand over doles of £1,000 to the Prince of Wales's Fund and £250 to the Belgian Relief Fund from their huge coffers.

 

Public opinion will regard those excuses as totally weak and inadequate. In Exeter a very large number, even of the footballenthusiasts, are strongly against the F. A.'s decision, and some people are saying already that the Association, in effect, are putting football before Empire.

 

It is no good trying to justify the position by pointing out that racing is being continued and that first-class cricket was not suspended.

 

"This is not a time to play games," as Lord Roberts said, and it seems that the Football Association have totally overlooked the fact that they have put the most destructive weapon conceivably into the hands of hundreds of people who are always waiting to attack professional football.

 

It is all very well for the Management of the Football League to ask clubs to assist the war funds and train players in military drill and miniature rifle range shooting. What the public say, and that objection will increase in volume, is that the present is not the time for single young men, in perfect physical condition, to be playing football before crowds of spectators, many of whom would make valuable material for Kitchener's Army.

 

Some Suggestions.

The Football Association might have arranged for the continuance of the game in a way which would have met with general approbation. They might have instructed clubs to release their single players from contracts, and urge them to join Kitchener's Army. Clubs may then have retained their married professionals, and filled up their ranks with whatever amateur players were available, the relegation rules not to be enforced this season, and the poorer clubs to be given the opportunity to mutually cancel fixtures which entail the longest journeys, such as Exeter City's visit to Norwich and vice versa. Then the F. A. could also have well afforded to make up the poorer clubs' losses by grants so as to ensure their future existence, as long as it was always understood, of course, that some proportion of each game's gate went to a patriotic fund.

 

The public would not have cavilled at that, but to put all the gigantic machinery of professional football into operation at such a time as this is deplorable, to say the least of it.

 

Cessation of the "Football Express."

After what we have said it is hardly necessary to add that the Football Express will not be published this season. The utmost we can do is to publish bare results of the English and Southern League games in Saturday's edition of the Express and Echo.

 

The great bulk of local public opinion, we feel sure, will be behind us to approve this course. We must pursue the course which we think right whatever the circumstances."

 

Mr S.H.Thomas, Secretary of Exeter City F.C.

There are two sides to every question, and until both sides have been stated it is impossible for the general public to form their decision. My directors desire me to point out:

 

(1) That probably every club in England, if they consulted their own wishes, would desire to cease football during the war, and it is certainly so in the case of the Exeter City Football Club, for outside all other reasons they can only carry on at great financial loss owing to decreased gates.

 

(2) That the whole question of whether football shall cease or continue has been carefully considered by the Football Association, which has, as its President Lord Kinnaird, and is controlled by a great many of the leading men in our large manufacturing towns.

After several consultations with the War Office, and acting with their approval, they have decided that it is not in the National interest that football shall cease.

 

(3) The Exeter Club, whatever may be its own wishes, is only one of many under the control of the Football Association, andis bound by its rules to act on the decision of the Association, in conjunction with the Leagues. As indicative of the position of the local club, I may mention that, instead of over £200 being received in season tickets, we have not yet taken £20.

 

(4) It must be remembered that while Association football is a sport, it is a sport which, because of its magnitude, has to be carried out on business lines. The Exeter Club has, long ago, contracted with its players to pay over £50 a week in wages. These contracts cannot be determined without mutual consent. If these contracts are suddenly illegally broken what is to become of the many married men, both players and ground staff, with their families, who are dependent upon the money for their support?

 

(5) Of course it is quite true that undoubtedly a large number of young men watch football matches, who ought to be fighting at the front, but football is not the cause of their staying at home, and has no bearing upon their action one way or the other. If football ceased it would not make such young men volunteer. You might, with just as much sense, close High Street, because some young men seem to have pleasure in walking up and down it instead of obeying their country's call. It is not High Street or football that is to blame. It might, with equal unreason, be argued that churches and chapels should close because young men attend them who ought to volunteer, or, for the same reason, that the Nation should go into mourning, and that every form of relaxation and recreation should cease.

 

(6) It must be remembered that a large proportion of men who have already volunteered are footballers, or strong supporters of the Exeter Club, and it is because of this fact that our gates will show a considerable decrease. Even amongst our Directors, one of them, Captain Harvey, is busily engaged in Army work, and another, Mr Norman Kendall, is connected with the 4th Devons, and may have to accompany them abroad.

 

(7) Treating the Club as a commercial concern, and it is such, one might, with just as much reason, suggest that all picture palaces, theatres, music halls, golf links, and similar concerns, which employ, naturally, thousands of hands, should be closed down, and so add to the general distress, simply because some young men attend same.

 

(8) It must be remembered that the King himself is, according to this morning's papers, continuing his horses in the great national sport of racing, for doubtless the same reasons which actuate the Football Association in continuing.

 

Let us take a sane and calm view of the whole position. The advice given has been "business as usual." The matter has been carefully considered by those responsible for football, and their view is that in the times of stress and anxiety which are before us it is better that there shall be some sensible sport, or pastime, in which the minds of those who are fond of football should find relief for an hour or so during the week. It must be remembered that it is not only young men who attend football matches. It was the intention of the local Club to devote portions of their "gates" in the forthcoming season to local charities and the Relief Fund. We have already raised £43 for this purpose. Exeter City has already placed its ground at the disposal of the local military authority, and troops are being drilled there every day. They intended, also, to use their matches as a means of recruiting by having advertisements and a recruiting sergeant at each match, and also by having a public meeting after each large match, urging upon any young men present to join the Forces.

 

In this way many young men could be got at who never attend any other public meetings. I am also personally convinced that if this idea is carried out energetically at all matches throughout the country it would be the means of getting many thousands of men to volunteer as recruits. Every professional footballer in England will be given the opportunity and inducements to volunteer if he wishes, and many have already done so. In this time of trouble whilst it is up to everyone to do what he can, let us remain calm and sensible. Hysteria never did any good. Yours faithfully, S. H. Thomas.

 



EXETER CITY'S PLAYERS

Season 1914==15

Name	Birthplace	Height ft.in.	Weight st.lb.
GOALKEEPERS
R.Loram	Alphington	5 9½	11 4
R.H.Pym	Topsham	5 11	12 2
BACKS
W.Brown	Accrington	5 9	11 7
J.Fort	Leigh	5 9½	12 0
AHarding	Chesham	5 10	11 8
E.Hunt	Exeter	5 10	11 5
S.Strettle	Warrington	5 10½	12 4
HALF-BACKS
S.Cox	Plymouth	5 9	11 12
A.Evans	Bolton	5 10½	11 8
J.N.Lagan	Felling on Tyne	5 10	11 9
F.Marshall	New Mills	5 9	11 7
C.B.Pratt	Birmingham	5 9	12 3
J.Rigby	Bolton	5 8	11 8
W.Smith	Hyde	5 8	11 5
FORWARDS
S.W.Cowie	Accrington	5 8	11 6
J.Dockray	Carlisle	5 9	11 0
F.Goodwin	Macclesfield	5 8	11 6
W.Goodwin	Staveley	5 9	11 0
A.V.Green	Rotherham	5 9½	12 4
H.Holt	Bolton	5 7½	11 4
W.Hunter	Sunderland	5 9	12 0
E.Lewis	Exeter	5 9	12 4
W.Lovett	Bolton	5 9½	11 0
W.A.Pridham	Torquay	5 8	11 7
F.Whittaker	Burnley	5 8	12 5