Plymothian Sam Cox, serving locally in the army and later appearing for Caerphilly, played twice for Exeter City in the Southern League in 1914/15. He was one of a relatively small number of Devon-born players to appear for the club’s first-team during that era.

Serving locally, and having played for the reserves in the Plymouth and District League since the 1913/14 season, Lance Corporal Samuel Cox of the Devon Regiment was called into the Exeter City team to make his Southern League debut against Queens Park Rangers in March 1915. He made one further appearance for the Grecians that season in the penultimate match at home to Reading.

Sam appeared for Caerphilly in the Southern League when football resumed after the war.