SATURDAY 21st OCTOBER 1967.

TRUMPETERS WARNING.

EXETER CITY 0
Smout, Smyth, Crawford; Wilkinson, Harvey, Huxford; Stuckey, Fudge, Blain, Hamilton, Whatling.

LUTON TOWN 5
Reaf; Dougan, Jardine; Slough, Branston, Moore; Ryan, Buxton, Allen, Rioch, Whittaker,

Scorers:
Luton; Allen 2, Slough, Buxton, Whittaker,
Attendance: 3,434,

As the game reached it's final stages a musician in the St James Park crowd sounded a few bars of the last post, What the Exeter City supporters should be more concerned about is when the reveille will be sounded? When are Exeter going to wake up to the gloomy facts that surround them?  They crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season.

Ryan steps in and Exeter go to pieces

A SORROWFUL day for Exeter City. They slumped to their biggest defeat of the season, and despite a hard working home début by new signing Ian Hamilton, there seems to be no break in the clouds, yet for struggling Exeter. But, although it was no compensation for the Exeter fans, the game produced what must have been the brightest individual story of the day-the début of Luton's right winger John Ryan. A bargain buy from Cheshire League side Wigan Athletic, Ryan proved himself to be £1,500 worth of real Soccer value. He created Luton's first three goals with a series of pin-point accurate crosses. The talking point of this game for Exeter must be the way in which they dramatically and suddenly went to pieces after an opening spell in which they looked lively, vigorous and dangerous. In these opening minutes, with Jimmy Blain again inspiring plenty of aggressive attacking play up front, Exeter put the Luton defence under real pressure. But then Ryan stepped into the picture with a vengeance, engineered Luton's first goal and it seemed to shake Exeter so much that they were never again able to get back into the game. As Exeter's weaknesses became more apparent, so Luton's stature soared and they took absolute advantage of the situation. Despite the bad conditions-it rained throughout they produced quality soccer that was attractive as it was purposeful. Luton got more and more on top and Exeter did not have the answer to stem the tide of Luton's offensive play. In the 16th minute, Ryan crossed for centre-forward Allen to push the ball to left-winger Ray Whittaker and he neatly slotted the ball into the net. In the second-half, Ryan laid on beautiful chances for right Alan Slough and centre half Alan forward Allen, both of which were converted into goals. Then Exeter's defence was twice split wide open and Allen and inside right Ian Buxton got more goals.

Attendance, 3,434.

Match Report 2. 

Exeter hit by Ryan
by RAY COLLIER
Exeter 0 Luton 5

EXETER CRASHED to a slick Luton side who were inspired by John Ryan, a 22-year-old right-winger playing in his first League game. Ryan did not get the ball into the net, but he carved out the first three Luton goals with surprising skill for a man signed during the week from Cheshire League side Wigan Athletic. His know-how and speed was typical of the authority which Luton stamped on this game. Despite the pouring rain, they produced football of stature and quality. Exeter, who had Ian Hamilton making his home debut at inside left, looked a struggling side. After a bright and breezy start they fell away and, although they fought hard throughout, it was mainly a rearguard action. Ryan's glory day started in the 16th minute when he crossed with pinpoint accuracy for Keith Allen to push to left winger Ray Whittaker, who side-stepped the ball into the net. In the 55th minute another Ryan cross was slammed home by right half Brian Slough. Then Ryan floated the ball into the middle for Allen to head the third. Exeter were really up against it and Luton went further ahead through Allen. And in the 80th minute inside right Ian Buxton ended a defence-splitting move to get the fifth.

Final Score.
Exeter City 0-5 Luton 



SUNDAY 22nd OCTOBER 1967.

BROOME'S THREE ARGYLE TARGETS.

When Frank Broome gets his £15,000 cheque from Sunderland for the transfer of winger Bruce Stuckey, expect him to nip down the road to Plymouth and make firm bids for two players, and possibly another on loan. With an eye to selling his own goalkeeper, John Smout, he will ask Argyle how much they want for reserve and former City goalkeeper, Peter Shearing. He is also prepared to offer £3,000 for out of favour left winger, John Mitten, who has already stated that he would be willing to drop into the Fourth Division if it means first team football. Broome is also hoping that Plymouth forward, Keith Etheridge will change his mind and decide to join City on a three month loan transfer. Etheridge has previously turned down a permanent move to Exeter,

MONDAY 23rd OCTOBER 1967.

BASFORD GOES TO MANSFIELD TOWN.

Mansfield Town have appointed the former Exeter City manager Jock Basford, 44, as their trainer- Coach, Basford who was with Charlton Athletic as Assistant trainer and then chief trainer coach for nine years before going to Exeter City, starts his new job today.