EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB

The following article, printed in the "Football Express" dated August 29th, 1908, is reproduced: -

ASSOCIATION: NEW ERA OPENS FOR EXETER.

CITY TEAM'S PROSPECTS: FORMIDABLE FIRST HURDLES.

by "Rover".

In ringing down the curtain last season I wrote: "It is my sincere trust that when I next address my readers in the columns of the "Football Express" it will be to discuss the prospects of Exeter City in its first season of the Southern League. In the past I have been told that have often exaggerated the possi bilities of the Association code in East Devon, coloured its progress, but I am content to let time prove whether such has really been the case.

The trust I then expressed has been realised. To-day, Exeter City takes its place as a centre of First Class Football, and the whole status of the game in this part of the West of England has been changed. We stand now, in importance, level with our Western rivals, Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers, and the transformation has taken place so rapidly, its initiation and - realisation were all a matter of three months that one can hardly yet realise the vast influence and alterations which the change will carry with it.

I do not intend to go over old ground and discuss all the exciting events of the past close season and their all-important bearing on Exeter's welfare. You have heard these events already discussed, and Exeter has certainly had its due share of notice from all manner of writers up and down the country. In a way, the past is done with, and even a recital of the important happenings that led to Exeter being elected to the Southern League "at the top of the poll" at the memorable London meeting in May, is not what readers will be looking for at this momentous stage of Exeter City's history. A discussion upon the season's prospects will be read with more interest, and it is the future of Exeter City, therefore, rather than the immediate past (eventful as that has been) which shall form the chief subject of these, the first notes of another season.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE STRENGTH.

The strength of the Southern League, as a whole, will now of course be a direct concern of Exeter's. We shall be viewing things at first hand, and not from the distance that in the past has had to be our sole enchantment. The first question then, which naturally arises, has reference to the playing strength of the twenty-one teams which this year compose the Southern League; will it be a more exciting competition this winter than it was the last?

The latter question, I consider, must certainly be answered in the affirmative, for while one is not, perhaps, prepared to say off-hand that the Southern League will more than ever bear comparison for playing strength with the English League, yet, on the other hand, so many new interests have been brought into the competition, and the League status has been so much raised from a managerial point of view (thanks principally to Mr J.B.Skeggs of Millwall Athletic) that the tourney has necessarily been given a tremendous fillip.

THE LONDON CRITICS.

There are many "croakers" (they are the London critics, need I add?) who tell us that the passing of Tottenham Hotspur to the English League means an irretrievable loss to the Southern League, and that the advance of Exeter, Coventry, and Southend United can certainly never make up for that loss. Don't believe it. The "Spurs", I realise, were a tremendously fine drawing card, and the future absence of their visits to certain grounds may mean a temporary loss of something in "gates", but the Southern League is not going to suffer very much, as a whole, from their secession, and I may be proved correct in saying that today it is a far more powerful organisation in the football world than it was twelve months ago, even with the Spurs then included. Its management today does, at least, command respect, and not exactly the same could be said at the opening of the 1907-08 season.

STRENGTH OF CLUBS.

As to the strength of individual clubs in the League, the transfers of the close season have probably told more in the direction of a levelling up of Southern League clubs than the material advancement of any one or two. Luton Town, for example, have made a lot of the capture of the Scotch International, Menzies, but taking their new side as a whole it does not appear, on paper at any rate, that they are likely to make any advance on 1907-08. Queen's Park Rangers will probably not be as strong, and it is difficult to understand how they are going to make up for changes which will be necessitated in their vanguard, their greatest asset last year. The departure of Pentland may easily make a lot of difference. A team like Millwall, on the other hand, which has effected very few changes, is almost sure to be a hard nut again, while Crystal Palace will surprise even their own supporters if they finish up as high in the table as they did last winter.

In their case, as in the case of the Rangers, it is not quite apparent where the effected changes strengthen the side. Plymouth Argyle, henceforth our greatest rivals, are another questionable quantity. I am aware that my opinion in regard to the "Pilgrims" last winter was not shared by many critics, for I repeatedly suggested that luck had more to do with their being runners-up than all round excellence. Their attack was not equal to more than half of their rivals, and while admitting that their defence was often "par excellence", I can hardly agree that players of the stamp of Atterbury and Butler, to quote two, are certain to reproduce the form that was so valuable in their side last year. The forward line may have been strengthened by the changes in the close season, but for all that, the Argyle are not a club which I should pick out as likely to achieve championship honours.

Of course, next to the City itself, the doings of no Southern League club will be followed in Exeter with more interest than the doings of Plymouth Argyle, realising, as Exonians must, that their own interests would be served tremendously by the success of the "Dandies".

WHAT OF EXETER?

And having touched upon some of the salient points in regard to Southern League clubs' possible strength, we come inevitably to a conjecture with respect to Exeter's prospects. The outlook may be put under two heads, namely:
MANAGEMENT AND PLAYERS.

With regard to these, the prospects may be summed up in a few words, as follows:- Management, excellent; and players, a fine serviceable lot, well capable of finishing in the first ten of the table.

I will deal with these two phases of the club's outlook, in more detail. When I speak of the management being good, I allude in particular to the part which I hope will be played by Arthur Chadwick, the old International. He will be essentially the Man at the Helm, and though nominally only Adviser to the new Company, I sincerely trust that in the early stages, at least, the Directors will rely implicitly upon the guidance of Arthur Chadwick. To all intents and purposes he should be the manager. Gentlemen like Captain F. J.Harvey, Messrs. Norman Kendall, W.Fenwick, A. McGahey, T. Oliver, and F. Parkhouse, together with the assiduous secretary, Mr Sidney Thomas, may be relied upon to leave no stone unturned to make the undertaking a success, and in Mr Kendall and Mr McGahey the Club are happy in the possession of two Directors of quite unique capabilities in two essentially different directions.

They have steered the ship so far with fearless confidence and judgment, but at the same time, they realise that in the working of a first class club which now lies immediately ahead of them, their experience is by no means such as to warrant their relying entirely on their own initiative. They have a "man in a hundred" in Chadwick, and upon him they must depend for pilotage over the many awkward shoals that lie immediately ahead. What he does not know about the game is hardly worth knowing, and I believe that time will prove the appointment of Arthur Chadwick was the wisest of all the management's early moves.

THE PLAYERS.

Above all things they are a serviceable side. I am not going to suggest that a brilliant run of successes may be expected from them, and that Exeter City are going off the mark with any great fanfare of trumpets, but it is certain that the men whom Chadwick has got together, young, and with all the elements of sound blending, are imbued with that spirit of workmanship which makes for success along the road of strenuous perseverance.

It is a good job that there are no "old stars" among them. For even Crelley, the man with the biggest reputation, apart from Chadwick himself, cannot be put under that heading. He is still young, and has come to Exeter determined to show his old club, Everton, that they had not had the best out of him.

In practically all the other cases the men have reputations still to make, and they have thrown in their lot with a new club set on making their mark in Southern League football this season, and certainly in grim earnest about seeing Exeter do well.

The defence, there is every reason to suppose, will be very sound, and the goalkeeper and backs will probably prove quite comparable with anything in the League. The halves are somewhat of a speculative quantity, but all should be well if Johnson comes up to expectations. The forwards are the department of which one can speak with least certainty, and a lot depends upon what sort of pivot we find. Good things are expected of T.Drain, and no success would be more valuable to Chadwick than the development of A.McGuigan into a class centre-forward. However, the picture will be clearer after today's practice on St. James's Park, for there the men will have been playing on the pitch which is to be the venue of their home battles, and moreover, on today's encounter, will have rested largely the choice of the team which is to engage Millwall on Wednesday.

As everyone realises, a lot depends upon that first Southern League game. It would, perhaps, have been better if the City had an easier hurdle to commence operations against, but at the same time local enthusiasts probably know too much about the Southern League strengths to base their estimates entirely upon what the City do at East Ferry Road. Few teams ever come away from there even with a point to their credit, and the experience of Plymouth Argyle at Millwall has been anything but encouraging.

If, therefore, Exeter get within a goal at the stronghold of the "Dockers" they will have done remarkably well, and should be sure of a huge welcome when they turn out next Saturday against Bristol Rovers.

It is a pity the Athletic Sports clash with the opening of St. James's Park as a Southern League enclosure, but the crowds which have eagerly gone to the informal practices during the last fort night convince me that the City - despite counter attractions will have a splendid send-off on September 5th.

THE RESERVES.

The Reserves will be playing in the Plymouth and District League, and will have the assistance of five or six professionals every week. So little, however, is at present known of the League programme for the season that it is scarcely possible to deal with the prospects of the Reserves at this stage.

CITY'S PLAYERS:
CAREERS OF EXETER'S NEW MEN.

Short notes have appeared from time to time on the new men engaged by Exeter City, but they have been of a meagre nature, and somewhat unreliable in regard to previous clubs with which the players have served. The following records, compiled from particulars furnished me in each case at first hand, will be of interest to local enthusiasts.

ARTHUR CHADWICK.

Attention must necessarily be given first to Arthur Chadwick, on whom so much responsibility, from a playing point of view, will rest. No one, not even the most captious critic, has dared to venture one word of criticism upon Chadwick's appointment as adviser and coach.

Doubts may have been cast upon the capabilities of some of the new men signed on, but local opinion has been quite unanimous on one point, namely, that Chadwick is the ideal man for the task which has been entrusted to him. He has the makings of that distinctly rare asset in the football world, a sound manager. They are far rarer than most people imagine, but in Chadwick we have most of the essential qualities that go to the making of them. For instance, he knows a footballer when he sees one, and picking out the born footballer is an art; again, he possesses thorough business capabilities, unique experience even among the greatest of players, while, lastly, he has the geniality and good humour that are imperative in the man who could hold the players together with no fear of any rankling.

Born at Church, Lancashire, Chadwick took to football quite early in life. While still but a schoolboy he was playing in junior clubs, and at 17 he appeared for Accrington. After two seasons with this club, a missioner from Burton United discovered the diamond in the rough, and straightaway Arthur was signed on as a professional, and was lifted at one step from Lancashire junior football to the English League Second Division tourney.

Here he rapidly came to the front as a centre-half, and in 1897-98 was transferred to Southampton. It was while with the "Saints" in 1900, to be exact that he gained his two Inter national caps, for England against Scotland and Wales.

In addition to this, Southampton, with his aid, were thrice champions of the Southern League, namely in 1897-98, 1898-99, and 1900-01, while in 1899-1900 they were third. During this period, too, the Saints laid the foundation to their reputation as Cup fighters, for in 1898 they took part in the famous "snowstorm semi-final" at the Crystal Palace, when Nottingham Forest knocked them out, and in 1900 appeared for the first time in the Final itself, Bury then beating them by 4-nil.

In 1901 Chadwick went to Portsmouth, and was there for three seasons, helping them to win the Southern League championship in 1901-02, also the Western League. While at Pompey he also got the London Charity Cup medal. In 1904 he transferred his services to Northampton, with whom he stayed until last season, when he went back to his home in Lancashire, which Exeter were lucky enough to persuade him to leave to try his fortune in a new capacity in the South-West. Few English players have had a more brilliant playing career than Arthur, and need I add that his further success in another direction now will be Exeter City's success?

ROBERT WATSON.

The appointment of "Bob" Watson as captain has so far proved a very popular one with the players, and was certainly a wise choice, for Watson had had exceptional experience for a player 
of his age, and in private life is one of the most easy going and genial fellows one could meet. His age is 25, weight 12st., and height 5ft. 9ins.

He was born near Middlesbrough, and at 18 was playing for the famous amateur side, South Bank. About this time, however, he came under the notice of the Middlesbrough manager, and was transferred to Steve Bloomer's present side, playing for them for one season as an amateur, and stopping on afterwards for another season as a professional.

He was then transferred to Woolwich Arsenal, and played inside or outside right under the respective captaincies of Jackson and Peroy Sands, going thence to Leeds City, with whom he stayed for three years up to the end of last April. He was, during that time, the regular partner of G.F.Parnell on the right wing.

He is a player not afraid of hard work, and may be expected to show consistent good form rather than any spasmodic brilliancy.

WILLIAM WAKE.

Wake, left half, and vice-captain of the team, is an energetic, bustling player who has never had a real chance of showing his capabilities. He was born at Banbury Castle, Northumberland, 21 years ago, and at present weighs 12 stone, his height being just short of 6ft. Well built, and a picture of fitness, Wake has come to Exeter on his mettle, so to speak, for he is determined to show that it was not for want of real ability that has heretofore kept him out of regular first-class company.

His earliest club was Banbury Castle, for whom he played left and centre half when he was only 14. They were winners of the North Northumberland Junior League while he was with them, and while still quite a youth he was picked up by Morpeth Harriers, a fine nursery for first class athletes.

At eighteen he was playing for the Harriers in the final of the Northumberland Charity Shield against Newcastle United Reserves, and was subsequently approached by the "Magpies" management. The season, however, that he was with Newcastle was during that brilliant year when even Colin Veitch failed to get a regular place in their half-back line, and consequently, anxious to get his chance in higher company, he came West last season to join Plymouth Argyle.

Here, misfortune befell him very early, for he was injured in one of the preliminary trials, and after that McCormick, Clark, and McIntyre displayed such consistent form that he very rarely got his place in the firsts. This young Novocastrian has also achieved some big successes on the track in sprint and quarter mile events.

JAMES FLETCHER.

The Carlisle United goalkeeper, J.Fletcher, is aged 23, and weighs 12st.7lbs., while his height is 5ft.9ins. He was born at Bury, and his first team was Preston Juniors, for whom he kept goal when he was 18. Unlike the great majority of custodians who have made a name for themselves, Fletcher has never played in any other position than goalkeeper.

While at Prest on he was picked up by Oldham Athletic, and signed professional forms. He remained there one season, and from there went to Bury, where he was understudy to Monteith.

After another season with the First Leaguers, he went to Carlisle United last year, and it was then that he came with such a bound to the front. Carlisle had a fine team; they were second to Everton in the Lancashire Combination, and did better still in the English Cup, going through the preliminary rounds and beating such teams as Workington and Lancaster Town, while Southend were their first "big game". They scored a surprising victory over the Seasiders, and then, to everyone's surprise, were victorious by 3-1 in the replay against Brentford, at Brentford.

Fletcher was the hero of that game, and stopped a veritable

hail of shots. Though on the short side as far as goalkeepers generally go, he is a man of splendid physique and abnormal chest measurement. He should make a name for himself this season.

JOHN CRELLEY.

Crelley's capture was greeted locally with great enthusiasm, for he is the man with the biggest reputation, already made, of those who will be in the City's ranks this season. So well known is Crelley's career to every follower of first-class soccer that it is unnecessary to more than briefly outline it.

Crelley has always played left-back, and in physique, at least, he is certainly an ideal defender. His footballing, in fact his whole life up to the time he accepted Chadwick's invitation to come to the "Ever Faithful" had been confined - distinctly to Liverpool, and more particularly to the Everton district. He was born 26 years ago, almost within a gun-shot of the Everton F.C. ground, and took to Soccer while still at school.

He was in the Liverpool schoolboys' representative sides of his day, that played the schoolboys of Manchester and Sheffield, and may be said to have started football as early as ten years of age. When he was not more than 16, Crelley found a place with the Everton amateurs, and a year later signed a professional form for the Reserves.

Thenceforward, Everton was his one and only club. After playing in odd matches for the firsts during one season he could no longer be kept in the background, and was made the regular partner of the elder Balmer (W). Up to last season he was the Toffeemen's most consistent back, W. Balmer or Percy Hill being his partner. Three seasons ago he achieved the height of every footballer's ambition when he played for the winning side in the English Cup final, against Newcastle United, but the medal he received for that game is only one of many he won with Everton, including the Liverpool Cup medal.

A glance at Everton's League and Cup records during those important years will give some idea of the range of Crelley's experience. Last year he assisted Everton to win the Lancashire Combination, and many critics describe him as one of the most serviceable backs Evert on ever had. Much is expected at Exeter from John Crelley, whose height is 5ft.9in., and weight 12st.41b.

TOM CRAIG.

Right-back. Craig is 23, weighs 11st.61b., and measures just over 5ft. 9ins. He is sturdy and of compact build, a distinctly useful type of man. He comes of a Scottish family, and though born at Manchester, his parents returned to Scotland when he was two years old. He learned practically all he knows about the game "over the Border".

He has always played right-back, and at 16 was the first favourite in a Lanarkshire junior team, Glencairn. When he was 18, Middlesbrough snapped him up, Mr. Robson, now with Brighton, securing his signature. The second season there he played in two League games, and in 1906-07 went to Stockport County. Here Craig displayed great consistency, and being always fit
and very fortunate in regard to immunity from accident, he played in all but one of Stockport's Second Division games last season.

JACK BANKS.

Left-half. Banks is already a favourite with the local crowd, and has the distinction of being the first professional to be signed on by Exeter City. There is no need to go into the move that brought the old "Throstle" to the City, suffice it to say that the Plymouth League side's success last year was in a very great measure due to his coaching, and that his services to soccer at a crucial stage cannot be over-estimated.

There are many good judges who consider that Banks has still plenty of football in him, and it is no secret that he intends to deserve his place in the "firsts" this season. Banks is a native of West Bromwich, but played for Oldbury Town

when he was fifteen. In 1895, West Bromwich Albion, then at the height of their fame, picked him up, and he was with the famous Throstles for six seasons, appearing at outside-left in the ever to be remembered English Cup Final when Aston Villa defeated the Albion by a goal to nil.

After leaving Birmingham he was for two seasons with another famous club, Manchester United, and then transferred to Plymouth Argyle when the Westerners started their professional side. He was also with Leyton for one season, but was living again in Plymouth when Mr. Thomas brought him to Exeter to coach the amateurs of last winter. Banks is 29, 5ft.9ins., in height, and 12st. in weight.

JOE BULCOCK.

Bulcock, left-back, was born at Burnley 23 years ago, and gives his height as 5ft. 10ins., and his weight 11st. 71b. He took to football immediately after leaving school, and at 16 was one of the backs of St. Catherine's Juniors. He quickly acquired a good local reputation, and was sought after by Colne, a Lancashire Combination club, for whom he first played as an amateur, then as a professional, being captain of the side for two seasons. In 1906-07 he left for Bury, playing in five English League matches in that season.

It is a well known fact in Lancashire League circles that some of the Bury F.C. directors were opposed to Bulcock's leaving the club, regarding him as a defender of great promise.

ALFRED AMBLER.

Ambler, half-back, any position, was one of the most useful and consistent members of Stockport County's team last season. His age is 23, height 5ft. 7ins., and weight 11st. 7lbs.

Ambler was born at Manchester, and started football as a boy with Hawktown Juniors. Whilst he was with this team they won the Ramsbottom and District League and the Manchester Junior League. Afterwards Ambler played for another Manchester local club, Hyde United, and then for some time deserted the game.

At 19, however, he signed on for Colne, helping them in one season to win Section B of the Lancashire Combination and the Lancashire Junior Cup. At 20 years of age Stockport County secured his transfer, and with the Second Division club he has slowly but surely come to the front. Last season he was in fine. form all the way through, and played altogether in 21 English League matches.

As previously mentioned, Ambler is capable of filling any position in the middle line.

SAMUEL JOHNSON.

Left or centre-half, age 23; height 5ft. 10ins., and weight 11st. 61b.

Johnson will probably be utilised at centre-half by the City, and is one of the new men from whom much is expected. Last year he was one of the best players, if not quite the best, that Blackpool had, and a First Division club was looking out for him during the past close season, but fortunately Chadwick had just previously secured his signature for Exeter.

He was born at Manchester, and as a boy of fifteen played for Newton Heath Athletic. At 18 he was picked up by Colne, and went to Blackpool after one season there. Johnson is an unassuming type of player, and one of those professionals who cause their management never a moment's anxiety.

HERBERT TIERNEY.

Tierney, who plays any position in the half-back line, is one of the younger members of the side, being 21 years of age. His height is 5ft. 9 ins., and weight 11st.4lb. 

He was born at Bury, and at fifteen years of age played regularly for St. Thomas's School, a strong junior organisation. At 18 he was enticed to Freetown, and from there he went to Heaton Park, a club in the Manchester Amateur League. While with the last named he was spotted by the Bolton Wanderers management, and played for them all last season in the Lancashire Combination. He also appeared twice for the "firsts", namely at Nottingham against the Forest in the English League, and against Stockport
County in the Lancashire Cup competition. He was regarded at Bolton as a youngster of distinct promise, and on the field looks a splendid type of untiring half-back.

G. F. PARNELL.

Outside-right; age 22, weight llst., height 5ft., 7ins. He was signed on at the same time as his old clubmate, the captain, and the two were often written of last year as one of the best right wings in the Second Division of the English League.

Parnell was born at Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and at 15 played for Skegby, a junior Nottingham club. At 17 he went to the Pinxton F.C., and then for the first time signed as a professional. Subsequently his form got to the ears of Derby County, and he was transferred to the "Rams", remaining with them for a season and a half, and playing fairly regularly in the League mat ches. He then transferred to Leeds City at the same time as Watson, and during his three seasons there his best was probably 1906-07. Parnell is a player content to wait his chance, and when chances come along he may be relied upon to make the best use of them.

ANDREW MCGUIGAN.

This player is another Scot, and a rare good one at that. He is capable of filling the centre-forward or either inside berth, and comes to Exeter with valuable Scottish and English League experience.

Though only 27 years of age, he may be regarded as one of the "old heads" of the side, and certainly he is one of the men from whom much is expected. Standing 5ft.9ins., and weighing 11st.7, he is a useful forward to have in any attack, and will probably often be found as centre-forward, leading the City vanguard.

McGuigan was born at Newton Stewart, Wigtown, Scotland, and directly after his schooldays was given a place in a junior team of that town, the New Athletic. He was only fourteen years of age, in fact, when he was donning the jersey regularly each week.

He had so far improved in three years as to be taken over by the Edinburgh Hibernians, the Scottish Leaguers, with whom he remained for three seasons, playing inside right and centre.

Transferred then to Liverpool, he played for the English First Division side for two seasons, helping them to win the League Championship in 1900-01, and scoring five goals in fourteen appearances. The following season he distinguished himself by scoring five goals against Stoke on January 4th., a match which Liverpool won by 7-nil, and altogether was the club's second highest scorer with nine goals in 18 League matches.

Subsequently McGuigan went to Burslem Port Vale, Middlesbrough, Bristol City, and the Lancashire Combination, whence was persuaded West by Chadwick, to whom his career was well known.

"TOMMY" DRAIN.

Drain, the centre or inside-right, was born at Pollokshaw, and reared in the mining village of Drongan. It was here that he learned his football, and soon became the leading light in the Drongan Juniors team. After a brilliant display in an Ayrshire Junior cup final he was sought after by Kilmarnock, Sheffield United, and Glasgow Celtic, and elected to go to the latter.

After two months, however, he was transferred to Ayr, where he remained for a season and three months, and then joined Bradford City. A season and a half later saw him transferred to Leeds City, and after another season, at the beginning of last year, he returned to his native heath, Kilmarnock. Critics of Scottish League football have spoken of Drain as a player who, when in the mood, is unsurpassed as a dribbler and shot, being speedy and alert, and very quick off the mark.
He is 24, 5ft. 9ins., and 11st. 71b.

JAMES BELL.

Known to his colleagues as "Daisy" Bell, on account of the popular song of that name, he has already installed himself as the "wit" of the team. Bell is another of the lengthy list of North-country lads who have come under Chadwick's banner.

He was born at Eston, a small place near Middlesbrough, and, taking naturally to athletics early in life, joined Grangetown Football Club when about sixteen. When he was only 19, Mr Robson, the manager, unearthed the young forward, and he was signed on for Middlesbrough.

It was with the First Leaguers that he gained his most valuable experience, and during his time with them, though there was any amount of talent to choose from, he got his place several times in the "firsts". Bell was also for a spell with Barrow-in Furness, and therefore, like the majority of the team, has had experience of the Lancashire Combination. Bell is 23 years old, his height is 5ft. 8ins., and he weighs 11 stone.

TOM WHITE 

White is the only Southerner by birth in the whole team, having first seen the light of day in Hertfordshire. He was born at Tring, and his first club was Chesham Generals, at that time in the Berks and Bucks League. This was when he was sixteen, and two years later, playing outside-left and outside-right in turn, he became attached to Grays United, the old Southern League 2nd Division club, with whom a number of players of repute have from time to time been associated.

It was here that White signed professional forms, later going on to Brighton and Hove Albion, where he remained for two and a half seasons. Leaving the South, he subsequently played for one season with Stockport County and one with Carlisle United.

LEVI COPESTAKE.

This outside-left is the smallest man in the side, but is one whose trickiness in early practices soon won him popular favour. Owing, perhaps, to his connection with Bristol City, it has been erroneously supposed that Copestake is a West countryman. As a matter of fact he was born at Kiveton Park, near Sheffield, and his first junior team, when he was 15 years of age, was Kiveton Park F.C. He played then on either wing, but when he went to Worksop at 17 years of age and signed a Midland League professional form, he began to appear regularly at outside-left, and has played in that position ever since.

He was two years with Worksop, and he then transferred to Blackpool, with whom he remained as a clubmate of Johnson, for just over one season. Last year he was persuaded South-West by Bristol City, and appeared regularly for the Reserves. In two matches, however, he played in the English League, namely against Aston Villa and Notts County, and in the former match scored one of the goals.

Copestake is 21 years of age, weighs 10st.101b., and measures 5ft.52ins. He has put on weight since last year, and should now be able to stand the strain of first-class football.

EXETER CITY WELL EQUIPPED.

From the above notes, it would seem that Chadwick's men are well up to Southern League standard, and teams like Southend United, New Brompton, Reading, Watford, Coventry City, Leyton, Norwich City, and Brentford have nothing to show which would give them the slightest advantage over Exeter.

Exeter City are well equipped, and if luck favours them with regard to reasonable immunity from accidents, they are going to win matches, and certainly steer well clear of the danger zone.

They have, at the present moment, as many professionals signed on as the Argyle, and Argyle have certainly not a better lot of amateurs to fall back upon than men like W. Wells, Southcombe, Sturge, Fenwick, Sillick, Wilson, Pridham, Sgt. Mudd, Massey, Turner, Plant, and E.Wells, to say nothing of Singlehurst and Eveleigh, who have signed professional forms.

CITY'S PROFESSIONALS.

Goal: Fletcher.

Backs: Bulcock, Craig, Crelley.

Half-backs: Ambler, Banks, Chadwick, Johnson, Tierney, Wake.

Forwards: Bell, Copestake, Drain, Eveleigh, McGuigan, Parnell, Singlehurst, Watson, White.


Saturday, August 29th.

CITY'S PRACTICE: AT ST. JAMES'S PARK

Pros. v. Amateurs

Today's practice at St. James's Park, it was originally decided, should be played in private, but during the last two days such rapid progress had been made with the banking that it was determined to admit the public. In spite of the lateness of this announcement, there was a crowd of 2,000 present when the time for the kick-off arrived, namely four o'clock. The public were allowed only on the School's side of the enclosure, and from the grandstand opposite an excellent idea was obtainable of what the ground will look like when (as the Directors hope) it is
crowded for next Saturday's first Southern League encounter. The recent rains had done a splendid service to the turf, and considering the very short time it had been down it appeared to be in a remarkably good condition.

The "Stripes" in today's team were all professionals, and opposing them was the best of last year's amateurs, including W.A. Pridham of Torquay, while a sprinkling of professionals was provided by the presence of Tierney, Bulcock, and Drain.

STRIPES:-
Fletcher; Craig, Crelley; Ambler, Johnson, Johnson, Wake; Parnell, Watson, McGuigan, Bell, and White.

WHITES:-
W. Wells; Bulcock, Fenwick; Tierney, Mudd, Letheren; Sillick, Eveleigh, Drain, Pridham, and Singlehurst.

The Stripes were playing in green and white perpendicular colours, which will be worn by the City Reserves this season. They went off with a burst of speed, and Wake, going away on the right, passed forward, with the result that Bell rushed up and scored for the Pros in the first half-minute. In midfield, Mudd was applauded for defensive work, and Pridham, getting away on the left, was stopped by Craig, who cleared his lines easily.

The second goal to the Stripes was scored by Bell, who had an easy task when the whole of the Whites defence stopped to appeal for offside, which was not given. Five minutes later Pridham received from Singlehurst, and put in a fine shot to reduce the lead to 2-1. The Stripes, however, gradually got the measure of their opponents again, and Bell, rushing through a long pass by Parnell, cleverly beat Wells at close quarters, and scored the third goal for the Professionals.

Half-time:

Stripes 3 goals Whites 1 goal

Five minutes after the interval Eveleigh slipped between the backs and beat Fletcher at close quarters, to bring the score to 3-2, but this was the last seen of the White's attack, and goals were scored for the Pros in rapid succession by Johnson, Watson, Parnell, and Bell.

Final score:
Stripes 7 goals, Whites 2 goals.

THE "GRECIANS"

Exeter City's Nick-name:

The origin of Exeter City's "nick-name" is not certain, but it is worthy of note that the soubriquet has been taken up by the London newspaper critics of soccer.

The following theory has been advanced: The word Grecian, in its local application, is a corruption of the British name of Caer-Ise for Exeter. The natives would probably be called Caer Iscuns, Caerwissans, or Caerissans, which does not leave much for the imagination to corrupt into Grecians. This would make the name synonymous with Exonians.