SATURDAY 28th OCTOBER 1967.

TRAGIC MINUTE FOR THE CITY.

DONCASTER ROVERS 3
Morritt; Kelly, Shaw; Kettleborough, Robertson, Leigh; Mottershead, Jeffrey, Webber, Watson, Gilfillan,

EXETER CITY 1Smout; Embery, Blain; Huxford, Wilkinson, Curtis; Hart, crawford, Balson, Hamilton, Whatling.

Scorers:
Doncaster ; Webber 2, Hamilton o.g
Exeter: Hamilton,
Attendance; 6,204,

Exeter City gave a good display and for the greater part of the match looked like earning a point at least, The game was won and lost in the space of 60 seconds about 15 minutes from the end, The score was 1-1 and City were on top, when all of a sudden Doncaster scored twice in a minute, and Exeter were beaten again, It was a tragic minute, for City had played well until then, Doncaster took the lead after 2 minutes following a terrible back pass from Jimmy Blain which failed to reach John Smout and Webber nipped in and round the City keeper, scoring with an angled shot, A bottle was thrown from the crowd into the Exeter penalty immediately the referee restarted the game City equalised through Ian Hamilton from a Stuart Hart cross, The two goals in a minute came in the 74th and 75th minutes when Webber scored again hammering home a centre, then Hamilton was unlucky to score an own goal in trying to cut out another centre from the right wing, City could have been in the lead at half time when Mike Balson had a shot cleared off the line, but it was not Exeter's day at all. On the balance of play City deserved to draw this game and the final result gives an entirely erroneous impression. This was one of City's best displays in an away game this season and it was only in the last 15 minutes that a couple of tragic errors gave the Rovers two goals and both points. Rovers had taken an early lead when centre-forward, Keith Webber, pounced on a pass-back which Jimmy Blain had intended for John Smout and scored. Ian Hamilton got our equaliser shortly before the interval, but the same player later had the misfortune to put through his own goal. Keith Webber got the home side's other goal.
The following is from the 

Western Morning News
4th November 1967


EXETER CITY bought back forward Alan Banks from Plymouth Argyle yesterday and play him in the home game against Bradford today. But another deal did not go through. Exeter also hoped to parade John Newman, Argyle's long serving half-back and skipper, but he asked for the week-end to think about the move. He will give his decision on Monday or Tuesday. Newman captains Plymouth against Blackpool at Home Park this afternoon. If Argyle conclude the sale of Newman they will collect around £8,000 from the double deal. Earlier this week Exeter forward Bruce Stuckey joined Sunderland for £9,000 to make way for yesterday's team strengthening bids. Banks, very popular at St. James' Park, had talks at Home Park with Exeter chairman Les Kerslake and manager Frank Broome, adjourned his decision until the afternoon and then agreed to join his old club. While Exeter were tying up this deal, Newman was telling Argyle chief Derek Ufton that he would give his decision after the week end. Exeter hope to get a second hearing. Of Banks's transaction, manager Broome said: "Everyone at Exeter has a high regard for Alan and we are happy he is rejoining us." Exeter want Newman for the centre-half position and to assist in coaching duties. Argyle bought Banks, plus goal keeper Peter Shearing, from Exeter for £7,000 in the summer of 1966, but his Second Division appearances have been limited to 19. Last campaign he scored five goals in 17 matches. Banks has only just recovered from a foot injury which kept him out of action all season and he was dropped from the first team at Millwall last week-end after two comeback matches. He had a talk with manager Ufton about his future at the end of last term because his wife could not settle in Plymouth. The transfer is a surprise for in side-forward is a position in which Argyle are weak numeri cally at present. Banks and Newman were as shocked as anyone. They returned from training to find that Exeter had been waiting for them. Newman, who asked for a transfer last season after being left in out of the side, has over 300 League and Cup appearances for Plymouth to his credit. He travelled the football circuit to Home Park via Birmingham City and Leicester City and played for Birmingham in the 1956 F.A. Cup Final, when Manchester City won 3-1. Ironically, if he had signed for Exeter yesterday, he would have played against Bradford, managed by Jack Rowley. It was Rowley who bought Newman for £7,000 from Leicester City seven years ago.

SATURDAY 4th NOVEMBER 1967.

The match between Exeter City and Bradford Park Avenue was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

FRIDAY 10th NOVEMBER 1967. EXETER CITY OUTLOOK IS GRIM.

As always happens in these cases, Exeter City have been criticised for parting with their brightest prospect Bruce Stuckey, who joined Sunderland for a large fee, Goodness only knows the outlook at St James Park these days is grin, and some of the few loyal supporters who remain with the club and pay their money for a Saturday afternoon's entertainment cannot be blamed if they moan when one of their brightest sparks in the side is whisked out of their sight,

NEWMAN SIGNS AND PLAYS AT BRENTFORD.

John Newman, the Plymouth Argyle captain, signed for Exeter City at 11 o'clock this morning and steps straight into the Exeter City side at Brentford tomorrow, Newman requested more time to think the Move over, The ex Argyle player joins Alan Banks who signed last week. Meanwhile Exeter have decided not to sign lan Hamilton, the Bristol Rovers inside forward who has been on a months trial at the club.