Best and Worst in City's Strangest Campaign 

Additional Strength In Reserve Is Needed 

Lionel Wooton's End of Season Review 

STAND by for the end-of-season inquest. Focus the spotlight on outstanding features of the strangest campaign in Exeter City' history-one in which triumph and disappointment were an odd mixture. On the bright side, one places on record that the Third Division points tally is the best since 1932-3 when the City finished runners-up to Brentford. The improvement, though not spectacular, gives cause for satisfaction, and relief; because there were no re-election seeking worries. Main credit for the upward trend in the City's affairs goes to the defence. Of the teams who finished higher in the League. nearly all had conceded more goals, of the sides below. Coventry City alone had given away fewer. Unfortunately, the statistic's disclose an attacking weakness. Exeter have not got among the goals freely and, while figures can be misleading, it is inescapable that too many chances were missed during the season upon which the curtain rang down this week.

This is a point which will not be lost upon those charged with the task of building the next Exeter City team.  Norman Dosgin will be happler if a strengthened attacking potential is on call next August. So will every well wisher of the club.
"INSIDE" THRUST
In particular, the City must aim at securing at least one, insude forward well endowed physically and possessed of thrust, such a player will not be easy. It is an effort, however, that must made. More effective duplication of the wing positions, a stronger understudy for Andy Donaldson in the middle, reinforcements at wing half-back, and one sure fall-back -these are other requirements.
Little cash will be available. Against that fact, the transfer market will be easier this Summer than in any close season since 1939. More men will be on offer because clubs are bound to cut down expenses now that soccer's boom time seems to have passed.
Earlier in this article described this, the season just ended, as the strangest in Exeter City's history. No other campaign is comparable, in that the number of away wins. eight, surpasses the previous best, while the sequence of home defeats ranks among the worst. 

On tour, the City have played many fine games. They outclassed Newport County and Swindon Town early on. A draw with promoted Ipswich at Portman Road was a worthy achievement, as were the subsequent wins at Norwich and Watford, and the division of points at Northampton. These were outstanding performances in a grand away record.

At St. James's Park too many matches were lost. Lowly-placed sides like Colchester, Shrewsbury, and Aldershot won here, and the sacrifice of these and similar home points could have made all the difference between the City qualifying the talent money and ending the season, as they did in mid-table position.

KELLY'S YEAR
Overall, Exeter's record is one is: A fairly good season in some respects, yet it could have been more successful in what was far from being a Southern Section vintage year. Indeed, I saw no outstanding team: none up to the standard of Cardiff City, Bristol Rovers, and other promotion winners since the war.
City highlights were the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace, and the match with Southampton, which produced the best football seen at the Park for a long while. Ranking high among the disappointments was the early F.A. Cup exit against Hereford United's Southern League team.

Exeter's outstanding player? Choice is not easy. One pays tribute to the consistency of Dick Walton, heading the appearances register, and Fred Davey. One gives credit to Charlie McClelland on being the leading club goalscorer, but my major award goes to goalkeeper HUGH KELLY, a giant in defence and unlucky to have missed another Irish cap. Many quality "keepers have worn the Exeter Jersey Kelly is fitted to rank with men like Dick Pym, the late Arthur Davies and big Jock Alderson.

Before ending the review of the season, comment is called for on the failure of the Southern League team. As was the case 12 months ago, late effort averted the necessity of applying for re-election.
The late Get-out Stakes can be attempted too often. A more efficient Reserve XI is necessary, or attendances will show a continued drop,

APPEARANCES
TWENTY-SIX players were called on by the City's first team this season. Heading the attendance register for Third Division matches and FA Cup-ties was Dick Walton. Dead-heating for second place were Davey and Charlie McClelland.
Goalscorers 
Topping the City's goal scoring list is outside-left Charlie McClelland. He is followed by Andy Donaldson and Angus Mackay.

DODGIN -CAUTIOUS
NORMAN DODGIN, entitled to look back with satisfaction on his first year as manager, was understandably cautious when I asked him about future plans. He did say. however, that four or five useful prospects were in the offing. And his emphasis was on the word "useful."

Onlookers at Tuesday's benefit game were puzzled over happenings at the interval. First intentions of the two teams were to change over without a break. On second thoughts, the players trooped off the field, the reason being that had play resumed straight away the collection for Mackay and Davey would have suffered.

Because of the tie-up between Exeter City and Cardiff City, the Welsh First Division club's retain and transfer lists are interesting. On offer at a price are Doug Blafr and Roley Williams. Eleven youngsters are others who will be seeking new pastures.

Many small wagers were settled this week. Winning stakes went to City supporters who took evens about their team finishing the season in front of Torquay United.

Andy Donaldson's winning goal against Bournemouth on Wednesday was the subject of post-match controversy.
Bournemouth players and officials said that goalkeeper Godwin was unfairly charged over the line, although there was no disputing that he was in possession of the ball. Exeter's team took the opposite view. It was a legitimate shoulder charge said Donaldson, Norman Dodgin thought the same way, but added: "I thought Bournemouth might have had a penalty when Dick Walton stopped Stephens late in the game." That was the time when Stephens was going through and the Exeter full-back baulked his progress. Referee Burfield applied the obstruc tion rule, and awarded an indirect free kick.

Take a bow. Mr. Dodgin!

You have a big admirer in D. F. Wadham, a City supporter living at Teignmouth, and who writes: "My congratulations to Norman Dodgin on the great success he has made in his first season as
manager. From being a poor team near the bottom of the League, he has brought the City to the top half of the table. He needs only to carry on the good work, and strenghen one or two suspect places, to build a side which can become another Ipswich. Exeter City must aim towards the top. The watchword should be Second Division football in the near future. Promotion can be won, but more support is needed for the club and a manager who is trying so hard and capably."

FRIDAY 30th APRIL 1954.

CITY RETAIN 20 FOR NEXT SEASON.

Nine of the 20 retained for next season have already re-signed. They are Douglass, L. Doyle, Harvey, Priestley, Donaldson, Mackat, McClelland, Mitchell and Setters, Sword, Others retained are Kelly, Walton Marsh , Rowe, Owens, Davey, Dodgin, Murphy, Ellaway, B Doyle, and Open to transfer Storey, Booth, King, Parker and Knight. Free transfer Singleton, McLean, and Cook,

WEDNESDAY 5th MAY 1954.

CITY NEW SIGNING IS A STRONG TYPE.

Exeter City's new signing Dennis Callan from Cardiff City is a wing halfback who made eleven reserve appearances last season in the Football Combination, He is 5ft 8ins and 11st, he is described by Norman Dodgin as a forceful type of wing halfback, 22 years old Callan joined Cardiff three years before doing his National service, he hails from Traedyrhiw.

TUESDAY 11th MAY 1954.

RE-SEEDING ST JAMES'S PARK PITCH.

Two tractors were working all day yesterday ploughing up and levelling the St James's Park playing surface in preperation for re-seedingThis is the first time the Park has been treated since the war. After the ploughing is completed about 3 cwt of grass seed and 8 cwt of fertiliser will be applied and work will be completed in a weekIf there are no snags St James's Park should be a verdant green for the start of the 1954-55 season,

If there are no snags player/manager Norman Dodgin has said it cannot be any worse than last season, St Bridgets Nurseries are taking on the task.

FULHAM BID FOR KELLY.

Fulham would like Hugh Kelly back. Exeter's Irish International goalkeeper has always been a favourite at Craven Cottage and Fulham have made a tentative approach to the possibility of his transfer. meanwhile Hugh intends to return to Lurgan, County Armagh,

THURSDAY 13th MAY 1954.

Ken Salter the 21 year old goalkeeper who played for Exeter City before doing his National service has been signed by Bideford player/manager Ray Goddard, He finished his training a week ago.

TUESDAY 18th MAY 1954.

EXETER CITY WILL FINISH HIGHER IN LEAGUE NEXT YEAR.

Trying out young players with the possibility of making a find was better than paying a high price for footballers who had made a name at other clubs said Mr Dodgin Exeter City's player/manager at the Third annual dinner of the Exmouth Grecians Association. He went on to say that Exeter City would finish higher in the Third Division next season than this term.

TUESDAY 18th MAY 1954.

EVAN WILLIAMS IS NEW CITY SIGNING.

22 year old leftback Evan Williams has signed for Exeter City after spending five seasons with Cardiff City, Williams who lives at Cwmthwrch near Swansea is 5ft 10ins and over 11 stone, he was a regular member of the Football Combination side. Another player under review is an outside left with a Second Division club and an outside left with a Lancashire club where he is a second team player.

BOOTH FOR BRADFORD CITY ?

Among City's unretained players the probability is that Sammy Booth will join Bradford City. Jackie Knight will go to Crewe, while Yeovil and Bath City are both interested in Barney Singleton and Peter McLean, While Rochdale are making inquiries about Jim Storey. Former Exeter City forward Ray Howells who spent last season with Barnstaple Town may sign for Kent League side Canterbury Town.

FRIDAY 28th MAY 1954.

First of Minehaed's new signings is Bob Squires a halfback who has been with Ilfracombe Town for the last two seasons. He joined them from Exeter City after a spell with Doncaster Rovers.