Hopes and Expectations 2
1919/1920
Future prospects at Exeter City
First Practice game.
1st March 1919
Crownhill (h)
Football Prospects
FUTURE OF EXETER CITY
A Good Side for 1919-20
The annual meeting of the Exeter City Football and Athletic Company was held at the Bude Hotel, Exeter, on December 31, 1918, Mr M.J.McGahey presiding. Messrs Hurford and James represented the Supporters Club.
Mr J.I.Pengelly spoke of the future of professional football and the Southern League. He referred to the recent meeting of the Southern League clubs in London, which he attended as the Exeter City representative, and the agitation for breaking up the League in its old form. He said that the provincial clubs at the London meeting took a strong line that the Southern League should remain as it was before the war. They decided by resolution to attempt to get their house in order by September 1, 1919, and arrange to have their teams ready by then.
Amalgamation With the Football League
The League meeting afterwards passed a resolution, asking the English Football League upon what terms they would agree to amal gamation. The Management Committee, however, were given no power to negotiate with a view to amalgamation, and there was no doubt that the great majority of clubs in the competition would remain loyal to the Southern League.
In five weeks' time the Southern League will mee again, when a report will be submitted re the result of the amalgamation motion, while at that gathering will also be discussed Exeter City' resolution that visiting clubs should share in the home clubs' gates. That, if carried, would undoubtedly strengthen the weaker clubs, financially speaking, such as the Grecians. It would, for instance, enable Exeter to afford sending their teams over-night for all long distance matches. In short, Mr Pengelly submitted that February's meeting would be one of great possibilities in the way of reforms to the mutual advantage of all clubs in the Southern League. Football was undoubtedly a national asset, he said; the war had proved that, and therefore it behoved the supporters of all clubs to rally round the Directors, aiming always to serve the best interests of English sport. The Chairman said the Exeter City Directors could do nothing until after the meeting in February. It was certain, however, that Exeter had earned a place in first-class football. "We mean to keep that place," added Mr McGahey, "and when the result of the February meeting is known a general meeting of all our supporters will be called, with a view to getting into shape again and seeing about next season's team. We hope, too, that the Supporters' Club, which was a most valuable organisation, will get into full swing again at once." There was no reason, concluded the Chairman, why Exeter should not be able to get together a good side for 1919-20, and the Directors hoped, also, to get over the managership vacancy in a way which would please everyone.
Director's Re-Elected
Mr Norman Kendall said he did not believe for a moment that the Football Association would consent to any new scheme which would be to the serious detriment of the smaller and financially weaker mem bers. As to the new movement aiming at a Players' Trades Union, he thought the men were rather "overriding the horse". Good luck to the players if they could get £6 a week, but they certainly could not do so at Exeter.
The Chairman said he was convinced that if the Exeter City Club was carefully and efficiently run, it would prove financial a success. But for the war intervening they would have got themselves financially straight, he was sure, at the end of 1915-16.
Messrs A.Norman Kendall, W.Norman, and J.I.Pengelly were re elected Directors on the motion of Mr Barnes, who said he hoped Exeter would press their proposal for altering the Management Committee of the League. London clubs at present were so strongly represented upon it that they were able to dominate, to extent, the internal affairs of the competition. a great
Mr Norman Kendall urged that practice matches for local talent should be held at the earliest possible date, for in future every club would have to rely more on players brought out in midst. their own
FOOTBALL'S RESTART
What Is Likely to Happen in Exeter
The possibilities of first-class Soccer being started again in Exeter next September are being keenly discussed, not only in the City but throughout those areas in Devon, as far apart as Torquay and Tavistock, which formerly helped from time to time to swell the "gates" at St James's Park.
What are the possibilities? Nothing absolutely definite can yet be said, except this much, that Exeter City will for certain begin again on the old basis next September unless the majority of the Southern League clubs are wiped out of first-class existence by some sweeping new scheme, which is an altogether unlikely event. The position, briefly, is that on January 15 the English League meet again to report on the vague proposals for amalgamation which were laid before them on January 5 by a Southern League deputation, mostly Londoners. The ambiguity of this deputation's proposals was their most remarkable feature, apparently. They simply went to the English League and asked, in effect, to be taken in, without being able to submit any clear scheme as to how it would, or could, be accomplished.
Whatever the English League decide upon next Monday it will not bind the Southern League clubs in any way. The Southern League meet again in the first week of February, and at that meeting it will be learned whether the Southern League is to be absorbed into English League or make a fresh start on its own. the
There is no doubt at all that the interests of Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Bristol Rovers, and most other Southern League clubs, including the Champions (Watford), would be best served by the old competition remaining as it was, and a new and strenuous fight, to be made to strengthen the Second Division.
London Clubs Envious of Chelsea
Coventry City have already gone. They have definitely resigned, and chanced election to the Football League, but they are not much loss to the Southern League. They never did get a really good side together, and when, in 1914, they found themselves in danger of the Second Division they began to hint at resigning.
However, the whole question of this amalgamation emanated from West Ham and one or two of the London clubs who are very envious of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. They want to get into the Football League, and they would not mind by what course they achieved that object. For instance, when the scheme was first launched specious suggestions were made about six or seven of the best clubs of the Southern League being admitted to the English League, meaning the London clubs, and Watford (champions), Brighton (ex-champions), and Reading (runners-up) were never once mentioned among the clubs said to be the best qualified for the transfer.
Position of the Exeter Club
It is understood that one or two of the Exeter City Directors consider that it would be a good thing to be in the English League, with the chance of eventually getting into the First Division.
That is, of course, conditional upon any scheme which took all the Southern League clubs in. On the other hand, were Exeter City and the Argyle in a Third Division of the English League, they simply could never afford to win the Championship of the Section. For the expenses of the Second Division would be too crippling, while in the First Division the Grecians would never be well enough off to make a decent show. Even with First Division English League clubs at St James's Park the gates would not be increased to much more than an average of 6,000, and that would not be nearly enough.
Proposals for a Restart
To return to Exeter City's immediate concerns. After the meeting of the Southern League in February when it will be known exactly "where we are" the Directors will call a public meeting, and lay before citizens generally their proposals for a restart.
The Supporters' Club will then at once summon a meeting, for it has been stated by Mr George Rice (chairman), Mr A.Lamacraft (hon. treasurer), and Mr George Campbell (hon.secretary) that they very anxious to get back into working order. The object will be to are raise money for the football club on the lines they used to do before the war, and the programme will certainly include excursions to away matches if the railway fares go down to anything like pre war rates.
The Managership
Questions are being asked about the managership. That is, of course, a matter entirely for the Directors, but Mr McGahey said at the recent annual meeting that the question would probably be settled in a manner calculated to give the utmost satisfaction.
If supporters were asked to vote, there is no doubt that they would hold up both hands for the return of Mr Arthur Chadwick. He still holds a very warm place in their regard, and Exeter City will never get a manager to serve them more faithfully. At present he is in Morecambe, and the war over, his mind has naturally turned to his old love, Soccer. He married a respected Exeter lady, and it is to be hoped that will be a factor which may weigh with him in any question of his returning.
The City's 1914 players have suffered badly in the war. Arthur Evans fell in the first battle of the Somme; Fred Goodwin was also reported killed, but it has not been possible, locally, to get it confirmed. Kadie White and Fred Hunt, two fine reserve backs, also made the great sacrifice, as did Clarke, of the Reserves.
Billy Smith, one of the best half-backs Exeter ever had, lies in a Liverpool Hospital, having had a leg amputated, and Marshall, by reason of wounds, has also ended his football career. Yet another victim of the war was Bulcock, of Swansea and Crystal Palace, who played in the City's first professional team. Three of the 1914 players have won honours, namely Sam Strettle, the Military Medal, E.Lewis, the Military Medal, and Pym (not Dick) of the Reserves, the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Lewis and Pym are types of fine local players upon whom clubs like Exeter will have to more and more depend in times to come.
The Southern League Meeting
The Southern League Meeting in London on February 6 proved to be an important one, as was anticipated, and Exeter City played a very prominent part in the proceedings. In fact, the Exeter City club is taking a foremost role in shaping the future policy of the Southern League competition.
Mr M.J.McGahey, Chairman of the Club, and Mr J.I.Pengelly were the City's representatives. It was agreed to alter Rule 1 to read: "The First Division shall consist of not more than 22 clubs." The annual meeting in May will decide exactly what advantage will be taken of this amended rule, but there is no doubt that 22 clubs will be the number decided upon. Stalybridge Celtic, having earned pro motion, must come up automatically, Croydon Common, who were to be relegated, have gone into liquidation, but Gillingham, who also qualified for relegation, are to carry on. They will apply to be re instated, now that there are vacancies, and Brentford and Swansea Town will also apply. The May meeting will make the final choice of selections, and before this meeting the Management Committee are to go to Cardiff and confer with the Welsh clubs about strengthening the Second Division.
Nothing was said about Millwall and West Ham applying to the Football League for admission, and the prospects are now that they will remain with the Southern League.
Pooling of Gates:
Mr Pengelly's Proposal
With regard to the question of the pooling of gates, Mr Pengelly proposed the following new rule: (a) A visiting team playing in a League match shall be entitled to be paid out of the gate receipts a sum equivalent to 20 per cent of the balance after deducting the amounts paid for printing, advertising, gatemen, referee, linesmen, police, and entertainment tax. (b) An account of the takings and deductions at such match shall be supplied to the visiting club and to the League Secretary, and payment of the proportion found due must be paid by the home club within seven days of the playing of the aforesaid match.
Mr Pengelly contended that it was the duty of the stronger clubs to help the weaker. The proposal would be a great encouragement and assistance to the weaker clubs, and would not hurt a wealthy club, if it drew £10, £15, or £20 to assist it in meeting its heavy railway expenses. In support of his proposal he called attention to the fact that the Football Association directed than an equal division of the gate in all English Cup-ties be made, after the deduction of certain expenses, but he was calling for something more modest.
A lengthy discussion followed, and even the London clubs were favourable to the principle of gate pooling, but not on the basis of twenty percent. Exeter therefore agreed to a ten percent share of the gross admission money, less the extras paid for enclosures and grandstands, and all expenses.
EXETER FOOTBALL STARTS
Latest Arrangements:
Chadwick's Return
Mr Arthur Chadwick, Exeter City's manager, returned to Exeter on February 20, and at once began the work of preparing for next season.
A match was arranged between a locally selected eleven, which included Pym, the City goalkeeper, who has now been demobilised, Charlie Pratt, and Lovell against the Convalescent Hospital team, of Crownhill, Plymouth. It was also hoped that Billy Goodwin would turn out, the old centre-forward having now been demobilised from the navy and gone to his home at Staveley, near Chesterfield. The Plymouth side are better known at Exeter as Weard Camp, but their headquarters have now been removed from Weard to Crownhill.
SATURDAY MARCH 1:
MATCH AT ST JAMES 'S PARK
Drizzling rain fell this afternoon, and yet there were quite two thousand spectators at St James's Park to see Exeter's practice match against Crownhill, who are the United Services's Football League champions. This is probably th largest attendance ever on the ground at a scratch game, and augurs well for the future of Southern League football at Exeter next season. In fact, there is no doubt that at the present moment Soccer enthusiasm in the City is at a higher mark than ever in the past.
The City were beaten six-nil. That is to say that the team was officially billed as "Exeter City", but only nominally so. There were only two of the old professionals playing, Pym and Pratt, the latter captaining the side. Both these old favourites, need it be said, were given a tremendous reception. Six Crownhill reserves were included, and the team was completed by the inclusion of Lovell, the prewar Reserves' amateur back, Coppin, an outside left who has played for South Shields, and Chudley, an Exonian 19 years old, who was formerly at Mount Radford School, who played centre forward. He got few chances, and the nature of the going was all against him, but enough was seen of him to show unmistakably that he is a natural footballer of promise. He never made anything like a mistake; his passes were neat and well-timed, and he was always in the right position. Lovell, on his showing in this match, has improved almost out of recognition.
The Crownhill team was:
Sgt.Atkinson (Oldham Athletic); Sgt. Spring and Pte.Wishart; Pte.Ellison (St Helens Recreation), Pte. Galloway (London Scottish), and Staff-sgt.Brown; Pte. Overfield, Pte. Russ, Pte. Basson (Kettering), Pte.Baker, and Pte.Wilson.
An Opportunist and a Terror Near Goal
Crownhill took the game seriously. They journeyed to Exeter overnight with a big reputation to keep up, and they sustained it. They won easily because they were a combination playing against a scratch side, and moreover, they gave nothing away. Basson, their slim, agile centre, scored four goals, Wilson, a slick outside left, one, and Baker, inside left, the sixth, with a great shot.
Basson was the opportunist, and near goal a terror. He would be an acquisition in the City's Southern League ranks, and in regard to the all-round form shown in this match the conclusion is justi fied that there is still plenty of talent about for the ringing up of the curtain next September.
In fact, the Crownhill eleven could almost be relied on for a full Southern League side, and undoubtedly they have the nucleus of a first-class combination. Their left-wing, Baker and Wilson, would, like Basson, be a treasure, whilst Spring, Overfield, and Brown, in particular, are good enough for any side.
Pratt Outstanding for City
The outstanding player on the Exeter side was Pratt. It was a case with him of the old head, experience and knowledge of the game. Pym has filled out, and is now of splendid physique. He has never before had six goals put on against him at St James's Park, but this need not worry City supporters. He is a good as ever.
The match was refereed by Reg Loram, Pym's enthusiastic and capable understudy. Despite the result, the match left everybody very optimistic as to the future prospects of the City.
Two matches, home and away, have been arranged by Exeter City with Bristol City. The first will be played at Bristol the on Saturday before Easter, and the return fixture on Easter Saturday at St James's Park, to be followed on Easter Monday by a visit to Exeter of Plymouth Argyle.
FUTURE OF EXETER CITY
A Good Side for 1919-20
The annual meeting of the Exeter City Football and Athletic Company was held at the Bude Hotel, Exeter, on December 31, 1918, Mr M.J.McGahey presiding. Messrs Hurford and James represented the Supporters Club.
Mr J.I.Pengelly spoke of the future of professional football and the Southern League. He referred to the recent meeting of the Southern League clubs in London, which he attended as the Exeter City representative, and the agitation for breaking up the League in its old form. He said that the provincial clubs at the London meeting took a strong line that the Southern League should remain as it was before the war. They decided by resolution to attempt to get their house in order by September 1, 1919, and arrange to have their teams ready by then.
Amalgamation With the Football League
The League meeting afterwards passed a resolution, asking the English Football League upon what terms they would agree to amal gamation. The Management Committee, however, were given no power to negotiate with a view to amalgamation, and there was no doubt that the great majority of clubs in the competition would remain loyal to the Southern League.
In five weeks' time the Southern League will mee again, when a report will be submitted re the result of the amalgamation motion, while at that gathering will also be discussed Exeter City' resolution that visiting clubs should share in the home clubs' gates. That, if carried, would undoubtedly strengthen the weaker clubs, financially speaking, such as the Grecians. It would, for instance, enable Exeter to afford sending their teams over-night for all long distance matches. In short, Mr Pengelly submitted that February's meeting would be one of great possibilities in the way of reforms to the mutual advantage of all clubs in the Southern League. Football was undoubtedly a national asset, he said; the war had proved that, and therefore it behoved the supporters of all clubs to rally round the Directors, aiming always to serve the best interests of English sport. The Chairman said the Exeter City Directors could do nothing until after the meeting in February. It was certain, however, that Exeter had earned a place in first-class football. "We mean to keep that place," added Mr McGahey, "and when the result of the February meeting is known a general meeting of all our supporters will be called, with a view to getting into shape again and seeing about next season's team. We hope, too, that the Supporters' Club, which was a most valuable organisation, will get into full swing again at once." There was no reason, concluded the Chairman, why Exeter should not be able to get together a good side for 1919-20, and the Directors hoped, also, to get over the managership vacancy in a way which would please everyone.
Director's Re-Elected
Mr Norman Kendall said he did not believe for a moment that the Football Association would consent to any new scheme which would be to the serious detriment of the smaller and financially weaker mem bers. As to the new movement aiming at a Players' Trades Union, he thought the men were rather "overriding the horse". Good luck to the players if they could get £6 a week, but they certainly could not do so at Exeter.
The Chairman said he was convinced that if the Exeter City Club was carefully and efficiently run, it would prove financial a success. But for the war intervening they would have got themselves financially straight, he was sure, at the end of 1915-16.
Messrs A.Norman Kendall, W.Norman, and J.I.Pengelly were re elected Directors on the motion of Mr Barnes, who said he hoped Exeter would press their proposal for altering the Management Committee of the League. London clubs at present were so strongly represented upon it that they were able to dominate, to extent, the internal affairs of the competition. a great
Mr Norman Kendall urged that practice matches for local talent should be held at the earliest possible date, for in future every club would have to rely more on players brought out in midst. their own
FOOTBALL'S RESTART
What Is Likely to Happen in Exeter
The possibilities of first-class Soccer being started again in Exeter next September are being keenly discussed, not only in the City but throughout those areas in Devon, as far apart as Torquay and Tavistock, which formerly helped from time to time to swell the "gates" at St James's Park.
What are the possibilities? Nothing absolutely definite can yet be said, except this much, that Exeter City will for certain begin again on the old basis next September unless the majority of the Southern League clubs are wiped out of first-class existence by some sweeping new scheme, which is an altogether unlikely event. The position, briefly, is that on January 15 the English League meet again to report on the vague proposals for amalgamation which were laid before them on January 5 by a Southern League deputation, mostly Londoners. The ambiguity of this deputation's proposals was their most remarkable feature, apparently. They simply went to the English League and asked, in effect, to be taken in, without being able to submit any clear scheme as to how it would, or could, be accomplished.
Whatever the English League decide upon next Monday it will not bind the Southern League clubs in any way. The Southern League meet again in the first week of February, and at that meeting it will be learned whether the Southern League is to be absorbed into English League or make a fresh start on its own. the
There is no doubt at all that the interests of Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Bristol Rovers, and most other Southern League clubs, including the Champions (Watford), would be best served by the old competition remaining as it was, and a new and strenuous fight, to be made to strengthen the Second Division.
London Clubs Envious of Chelsea
Coventry City have already gone. They have definitely resigned, and chanced election to the Football League, but they are not much loss to the Southern League. They never did get a really good side together, and when, in 1914, they found themselves in danger of the Second Division they began to hint at resigning.
However, the whole question of this amalgamation emanated from West Ham and one or two of the London clubs who are very envious of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. They want to get into the Football League, and they would not mind by what course they achieved that object. For instance, when the scheme was first launched specious suggestions were made about six or seven of the best clubs of the Southern League being admitted to the English League, meaning the London clubs, and Watford (champions), Brighton (ex-champions), and Reading (runners-up) were never once mentioned among the clubs said to be the best qualified for the transfer.
Position of the Exeter Club
It is understood that one or two of the Exeter City Directors consider that it would be a good thing to be in the English League, with the chance of eventually getting into the First Division.
That is, of course, conditional upon any scheme which took all the Southern League clubs in. On the other hand, were Exeter City and the Argyle in a Third Division of the English League, they simply could never afford to win the Championship of the Section. For the expenses of the Second Division would be too crippling, while in the First Division the Grecians would never be well enough off to make a decent show. Even with First Division English League clubs at St James's Park the gates would not be increased to much more than an average of 6,000, and that would not be nearly enough.
Proposals for a Restart
To return to Exeter City's immediate concerns. After the meeting of the Southern League in February when it will be known exactly "where we are" the Directors will call a public meeting, and lay before citizens generally their proposals for a restart.
The Supporters' Club will then at once summon a meeting, for it has been stated by Mr George Rice (chairman), Mr A.Lamacraft (hon. treasurer), and Mr George Campbell (hon.secretary) that they very anxious to get back into working order. The object will be to are raise money for the football club on the lines they used to do before the war, and the programme will certainly include excursions to away matches if the railway fares go down to anything like pre war rates.
The Managership
Questions are being asked about the managership. That is, of course, a matter entirely for the Directors, but Mr McGahey said at the recent annual meeting that the question would probably be settled in a manner calculated to give the utmost satisfaction.
If supporters were asked to vote, there is no doubt that they would hold up both hands for the return of Mr Arthur Chadwick. He still holds a very warm place in their regard, and Exeter City will never get a manager to serve them more faithfully. At present he is in Morecambe, and the war over, his mind has naturally turned to his old love, Soccer. He married a respected Exeter lady, and it is to be hoped that will be a factor which may weigh with him in any question of his returning.
The City's 1914 players have suffered badly in the war. Arthur Evans fell in the first battle of the Somme; Fred Goodwin was also reported killed, but it has not been possible, locally, to get it confirmed. Kadie White and Fred Hunt, two fine reserve backs, also made the great sacrifice, as did Clarke, of the Reserves.
Billy Smith, one of the best half-backs Exeter ever had, lies in a Liverpool Hospital, having had a leg amputated, and Marshall, by reason of wounds, has also ended his football career. Yet another victim of the war was Bulcock, of Swansea and Crystal Palace, who played in the City's first professional team. Three of the 1914 players have won honours, namely Sam Strettle, the Military Medal, E.Lewis, the Military Medal, and Pym (not Dick) of the Reserves, the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Lewis and Pym are types of fine local players upon whom clubs like Exeter will have to more and more depend in times to come.
The Southern League Meeting
The Southern League Meeting in London on February 6 proved to be an important one, as was anticipated, and Exeter City played a very prominent part in the proceedings. In fact, the Exeter City club is taking a foremost role in shaping the future policy of the Southern League competition.
Mr M.J.McGahey, Chairman of the Club, and Mr J.I.Pengelly were the City's representatives. It was agreed to alter Rule 1 to read: "The First Division shall consist of not more than 22 clubs." The annual meeting in May will decide exactly what advantage will be taken of this amended rule, but there is no doubt that 22 clubs will be the number decided upon. Stalybridge Celtic, having earned pro motion, must come up automatically, Croydon Common, who were to be relegated, have gone into liquidation, but Gillingham, who also qualified for relegation, are to carry on. They will apply to be re instated, now that there are vacancies, and Brentford and Swansea Town will also apply. The May meeting will make the final choice of selections, and before this meeting the Management Committee are to go to Cardiff and confer with the Welsh clubs about strengthening the Second Division.
Nothing was said about Millwall and West Ham applying to the Football League for admission, and the prospects are now that they will remain with the Southern League.
Pooling of Gates:
Mr Pengelly's Proposal
With regard to the question of the pooling of gates, Mr Pengelly proposed the following new rule: (a) A visiting team playing in a League match shall be entitled to be paid out of the gate receipts a sum equivalent to 20 per cent of the balance after deducting the amounts paid for printing, advertising, gatemen, referee, linesmen, police, and entertainment tax. (b) An account of the takings and deductions at such match shall be supplied to the visiting club and to the League Secretary, and payment of the proportion found due must be paid by the home club within seven days of the playing of the aforesaid match.
Mr Pengelly contended that it was the duty of the stronger clubs to help the weaker. The proposal would be a great encouragement and assistance to the weaker clubs, and would not hurt a wealthy club, if it drew £10, £15, or £20 to assist it in meeting its heavy railway expenses. In support of his proposal he called attention to the fact that the Football Association directed than an equal division of the gate in all English Cup-ties be made, after the deduction of certain expenses, but he was calling for something more modest.
A lengthy discussion followed, and even the London clubs were favourable to the principle of gate pooling, but not on the basis of twenty percent. Exeter therefore agreed to a ten percent share of the gross admission money, less the extras paid for enclosures and grandstands, and all expenses.
EXETER FOOTBALL STARTS
Latest Arrangements:
Chadwick's Return
Mr Arthur Chadwick, Exeter City's manager, returned to Exeter on February 20, and at once began the work of preparing for next season.
A match was arranged between a locally selected eleven, which included Pym, the City goalkeeper, who has now been demobilised, Charlie Pratt, and Lovell against the Convalescent Hospital team, of Crownhill, Plymouth. It was also hoped that Billy Goodwin would turn out, the old centre-forward having now been demobilised from the navy and gone to his home at Staveley, near Chesterfield. The Plymouth side are better known at Exeter as Weard Camp, but their headquarters have now been removed from Weard to Crownhill.
SATURDAY MARCH 1:
MATCH AT ST JAMES 'S PARK
Drizzling rain fell this afternoon, and yet there were quite two thousand spectators at St James's Park to see Exeter's practice match against Crownhill, who are the United Services's Football League champions. This is probably th largest attendance ever on the ground at a scratch game, and augurs well for the future of Southern League football at Exeter next season. In fact, there is no doubt that at the present moment Soccer enthusiasm in the City is at a higher mark than ever in the past.
The City were beaten six-nil. That is to say that the team was officially billed as "Exeter City", but only nominally so. There were only two of the old professionals playing, Pym and Pratt, the latter captaining the side. Both these old favourites, need it be said, were given a tremendous reception. Six Crownhill reserves were included, and the team was completed by the inclusion of Lovell, the prewar Reserves' amateur back, Coppin, an outside left who has played for South Shields, and Chudley, an Exonian 19 years old, who was formerly at Mount Radford School, who played centre forward. He got few chances, and the nature of the going was all against him, but enough was seen of him to show unmistakably that he is a natural footballer of promise. He never made anything like a mistake; his passes were neat and well-timed, and he was always in the right position. Lovell, on his showing in this match, has improved almost out of recognition.
The Crownhill team was:
Sgt.Atkinson (Oldham Athletic); Sgt. Spring and Pte.Wishart; Pte.Ellison (St Helens Recreation), Pte. Galloway (London Scottish), and Staff-sgt.Brown; Pte. Overfield, Pte. Russ, Pte. Basson (Kettering), Pte.Baker, and Pte.Wilson.
An Opportunist and a Terror Near Goal
Crownhill took the game seriously. They journeyed to Exeter overnight with a big reputation to keep up, and they sustained it. They won easily because they were a combination playing against a scratch side, and moreover, they gave nothing away. Basson, their slim, agile centre, scored four goals, Wilson, a slick outside left, one, and Baker, inside left, the sixth, with a great shot.
Basson was the opportunist, and near goal a terror. He would be an acquisition in the City's Southern League ranks, and in regard to the all-round form shown in this match the conclusion is justi fied that there is still plenty of talent about for the ringing up of the curtain next September.
In fact, the Crownhill eleven could almost be relied on for a full Southern League side, and undoubtedly they have the nucleus of a first-class combination. Their left-wing, Baker and Wilson, would, like Basson, be a treasure, whilst Spring, Overfield, and Brown, in particular, are good enough for any side.
Pratt Outstanding for City
The outstanding player on the Exeter side was Pratt. It was a case with him of the old head, experience and knowledge of the game. Pym has filled out, and is now of splendid physique. He has never before had six goals put on against him at St James's Park, but this need not worry City supporters. He is a good as ever.
The match was refereed by Reg Loram, Pym's enthusiastic and capable understudy. Despite the result, the match left everybody very optimistic as to the future prospects of the City.
Two matches, home and away, have been arranged by Exeter City with Bristol City. The first will be played at Bristol the on Saturday before Easter, and the return fixture on Easter Saturday at St James's Park, to be followed on Easter Monday by a visit to Exeter of Plymouth Argyle.
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