Exeter City Football Club

Although maintaining a satisfactory League position during the first half of last season and reaching the fourth round of the Cup for the second time since the war Exeter City let themselves and their support ers down badly towards the end. After beating Southend at St James's Park by a goal to nil on April 18th 1951, their remaining fixtures re sulted as follows:

Nottingham Forest home, lost 0 - 5,
Millwall away, lost 0 - 5, 
Torquay United away, lost 0 - 2,
Port Vale away, lost 0 - 2, 
Southend United away, lost 1 5.

That is to say, five games played, all lost, and one goal scored with nineteen conceded.
The final League position was fourteenth, with 42 points from the 46

There is no point, however, at the start of a new season, in prolonging the inquest. Suffice to say that the series of reverses listed above followed the same unhappy design which caused the team to gradually slide into mediocrity ever since the replayed Cup-tie with Chelsea.

THE TOUR OF HOLLAND.

Even the band turned out to welcome Exeter City F. C., directors, and players, when they arrived in Holland, and a grand reception did much to help several of the party to forget the discomforts of a rough crossing on a rolling sea. The people everywhere were most hospitable and could not do enough for the Exeter footballers. On their arrival at Amsterdam they were met by the president of the Ajax Football Club, Mr Koolhaas, and one of his co-officials, Mr Gronet.

They were introduced by Mr Len Gilbert, a son of the City club secretary who is living in Holland, to Mr S.H. Thomas, Mr J.Lake, and Mr C.Hill. In the meantime the Amsterdam Post Office band played the National Anthem. The station approaches were thronged with people, all of whom stood to attention while "The King" was being played.

Exeter City won the opening match of their tour by beating D. O. S. the Dutch Division One side, by 3 goals to nil at Utrecht, May 20th. Mackay scored twice and McClelland once, all the goals coming in the second half. The City were winners all the way in a match which showed the onlookers plenty of attractive football. The game, played in heatwave conditions, was thoroughly enjoyed by a large crowd.

The second match, May 23rd, was against Haarlem Eftal. In beating them by five goals to three Exeter overcame a strong team which included no fewer than seven full internationals and a Youth international outside right. The match was watched by 15,500 people, and fast, open football was the rule, on both sides. In a sensational start a long ball sent down the middle, McClelland chased it, obtained possession after outpacing the opposing centre-half, drew the goalkeeper out, and shot low into an empty net. was

Showing more determination than their hosts Exeter continued the more dangerous side, but Haarlem played clever football. On one occasion their centre-forward shot wide of an open goal. Against this survival, however, must be balanced two escapes which Haarlem enjoyed when they kicked the ball off their line with the goalkeeper beaten.

DAVEY WENT OFF.

The City's crisp, first-time methods brought another goal in the 35th minute (McClelland), and straight from the kick-off Smart increased the tally to three. Haarlem reduced the margin just before the half time interval, and this goal inspired the Dutch to greater efforts. Against a reshuffled City team from which Fred Davey, suffering from a wrenched ankle, was missing in the second half, Haarlem piled on the pressure. Harrower dropped back from outside-right to occupy Davey's position and Digby came in on the right wing.

Haarlem scored their second goal within two minutes of the opening of the second half, and with the exchanges fluctuating rapidly from end to end the onlookers had their fill of excitement.

It was anybody's game until Digby gave Smart a through pass from which the City inside-right increased his side's lead. McClelland, who had a useful match as the City's centre-forward, obtained Exeter's fifth and last goal five minutes from time, and the Dutch team netted for their third goal following a scramble in the City goalmouth.

Goddard was outstanding in Exeter's defence, whilst McClelland, and Digby (second half) took the honours forward.

EXETER MISS CHANCES AND LOSE.

After dominating the play before the interval and establishing a lead of two goals in the first thirty minutes Exeter City lost for a change in the third match of the tour, against Hertogenbosch, by four goals to two. The pre-match ceremonial was impressive. A band of a hundred musicians entertained the crowd, which numbered about 12,000. The National Anthem of the two countries was played when the teams lined up. There then followed four speeches over the loudspeakers, followed by presentation of other items, a bowl of flowers from the City club to their hosts.

The game started twenty minutes late. If City had taken full advantage of their chances they would have led by four goals at the interval, instead of by two. When the teams returned to the field the band was still playing and determined that their piece would be finished. The conductor asked the referee for permission to play an encore. The official assented, and the interval was extended to double the usual length. Instead of playing as a team, like they had done earlier, Exeter City became too individualistic in the second half, and were only seldom dangerous. With Johnstone and Smyth weak in defence the Dutch eleven scored four goals, much to the delight of the crowd.

SERIOUS TRAINING.

Disappointed because they were beaten at Hertogenbosch, the City's players went into serious training for the last match of their tour against the Combined Hague Eleven, on Wednesday, May 30th. They were determined to make amends and they succeeded in so doing.

Facing the strong sun in the first half the City used the long ball, and it was during one of several fast open movements that McClelland was fouled just outside the penalty area in the fifteenth minute. Taking the free kick himself he scored with a rocket-like shot which zoomed into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

End to end exchanges were the order afterwards, and neither side gave an inch, but after the interval it became obvious that the City's greater stamina would tell. The standard of refereeing was not as good as in the earlier games, and the official in charge allowed far too much feeling to creep in. He was also guilty of several strange decisions, notably a quarter of an hour from the end, when Smart, taking over a pass from Fallon went through on his own and scored. To everyone's amazement the goal was disallowed for offside, but the City did not lose heart, and Regan scored a goal for them with three minutes left to play.

END OF AN ENJOYABLE TOUR.

On this successful note an enjoyable tour came to an end, and Exeter City, winning three matches out of four, achieved something which had been unequalled for a long time by an English club visiting Holland.

Souvenir Dutch clogs, each containing a miniature bottle of liqueur, were presented to the Exeter City directors, officials, and players at the end of the tour. The mementoes were the gifts of the Ajax F.C., on whose behalf their president paid tribute to the City team, at the same time expressing the hope that Exeter would again visit Holland next year.

Now, barely two months later, the new football season of 1951-52 lies ahead, and on August 4th the first public practice match took place at St James's Park.

Angus Mackay and Bill Coley sparkled, while Stanley Charlton's son has his father's hall-mark. No praise could be higher than that. A tally of five goals were scored in the opening practice, and it was fitting that the "Blues" claimed the odd one against their "Black and Amber" opponents. The winning team was better balanced and had a constructive superiority that could be traced largely to the three players referred to above.

Though their styles varied, each could be rightly assessed as an out standing personality of the first trial. Mackay, in his brightest and best mood, sparkled consistently. The cunning pass, the neat and care full ball control, and the ability to advance at speed were attributes which he possessed in high degree.

While Coley's display was less spectacular it suffered not the least on that account. He was a sound, sturdy half-back who was quite to notice the open space and equally quick at making the intelligent transfer to an unmarked colleague.

FEW EQUALS IN THE THIRD DIVISION.

Nearly thirty years ago Stanley Charlton was a magnificent Exeter City defender who had few equals in the ranks of the Third Division, and he was, following his removal to Crystal Palace, even described in some quarters as the "best full-back in London."

In Exeter City's trial match his son was seen in action at St James's Park for the first time apart from a couple of outings with the second team last season, and no higher compliment can be paid than to write that much of the young Charlton's work bore his father's hallmark. Stan Charlton junior, still in the Army, had an excellent game, as did the other full-backs, Warren, Clark, and Rowe. The rival goalkeepers, Graham Lear and Kenneth Salter, had no chance of preventing any of the goals.

Lear, unruffled as usual, made goalkeeping look easy. Salter brought off the save of the match towards the close when he turned aside a point blank header from Mackay. The teams were:

Blues: G.Lear; Reid, Clark; K.Harvey, Doyle, Coley; McGrath, T. Tallon, Mitchell, Mackay, Howells.

Black & Amber : - Salter; Warren, Rowe; Harrower, Carter, Davey; Digby, T.Seager, Hancock, Smart, Regan.

In the second half S.Charlton played right-back for the Blues and Reid went to right-half. McClelland came in at inside-left in the Black and Amber team.

The attendance was 2,059, with receipts of £135. 18s. 6d.

FINAL TRIAL.

After the Reds had defeated the Blues on August 11th by two clear goals in Exeter City's final trial at St James's Park, the balance showed:

On the credit side, the City should be well equipped in defence. Also that the main strength of the team is in the half-back department. On the debit side, the forward line weakness remains. Lack of power and penetration persists. The Reds deserved their victory, to which the major contributory factor was the dominance of the trio of half-backs. Doyle, on the right flank, tackled as resolutely as any player on view, Goddard filled the pivotal role in the expert manner the supporters of the Grecians have grown accustomed to expect from him, and on the left side Davey's inconspicuous opening quarter of an hour was followed by a performance of all-round merit.

The display of the Reds' intermediate line was one pleasing feature of a match that in several respects was less satisfying than the opening trial a week earlier. Another bright light was the gratifying perform ance of the young Stan Charlton at right-back for the Blues. None of the other defenders on view surpassed this grand young player. He has a sound positional sense. His clearances are intelligently controlled. His judgment in the air and on the ground was very good. Exeter City have made an excellent capture in signing the young Charlton. The goals by which the Reds won were scored by Digby and Tallon. The teams were :

Reds: Singleton; Warren, Clark; Doyle, Goddard, Davey; Digby, Seager, Mitchell, Tallon, Howells.

Blues: Lear; Charlton, Rowe; Reid, Carter, Hutchings; McGrath, Mackay, Smith, McClelland, Regan.

After the interval an amateur, G.Vernon, replaced Regan. The attendance was 2,671, with receipts of £178. 17s. Od. These figures are slightly above last year's corresponding amounts.

EXETER CITY PERSONNEL. DIRECTORS.

Mr S.H.Thomas, chairman.
Mr F.P.Cottey, vice-chairman.
Messrs A.T.Ford, C.Hill, J.Lake, J.G. Orchard, J.Rigby, L.T.Seward, J.Warne, H.White.
Secretary: Mr G.J.Gilbert.

Manager: Mr W.G. Roughton.
Trainer: Mr J.Gallagher.

PLAYERS

(*DENOTES AMATEUR).

Goal:- *G.Lear, K.Salter, B.Singleton.

Full-backs:- *S.Charlton, J.Clark, E.S.Rowe, D.B.Warren.

Half-backs:- S.Carter, W.E.Coley, F.Davey, R. L. Doyle, P. D. Fallon,
R.Goddard, *K.W.Harvey, D.Reid.

Forwards:- S.Booth, W.Brown, D.F.Digby, *D.Hancock, W. Harrower, R. G. Howells, D.G.Hutchings, C.McClelland, P.McGrath, A.Mackay, R.Mitchell, D.J.T.Regan, *T.Seager, R.Smart, A.N.Smith, *T.Tallon.

The following are transferred:

W.Dunlop to Northwich Victoria,
J.Lynn to Rochdale,
K.Powell to Bristol Rovers,
A.Short to Yeovil Town,
P.Smyth to Southport,
H. Wilkinson to Colchester United.

THE NEW GRECIANS.

Dennis Reid from Plymouth Argyle, June 11th, born at Plymouth. Right half or right-back.

Robert Mitchell from Third Lanark, July 7th. Born at Glasgow, centre forward. Played for Exeter City two seasons ago, having transferred from Glasgow Celtic, returned to Scotland at end of 1949-50 season.

Bill Coley from Northampton Town, July 13th. Born at Wolverhampton and has played for Bournemouth, Torquay United and Northampton. Left half.

Ray Howells from Crystal Palace, July 23rd. Born Rhondda, outside left or centre forward.

Peter McGrath from Dundee, August 2nd. Outside-right.

Samuel Booth from Derry City, August 16th. Born at Shotts, inside left or left half.

William Brown from Reading, August 28th, born at Kilsyth, wing forward.

Cyril Johnstone has re-signed for Exeter City.