Exeter-born goalkeeper Richard Crabtree played once for Exeter City in 1984. Having started his professional career with Bristol Rovers he signed for the Grecians on non-contract forms from Dawlish Town. He had also made a single league appearance for Torquay United in 1976.  

After playing in the Exeter side that reached the later stages of the English Schools Shield in 1969/70 (with future England rugby international John Scott also in the team), Richard became an apprentice with Bristol Rovers where he earned a full-contract in February 1973. An unused third-choice during the club’s 1973/74 promotion campaign, he played a total of seven league matches for the Bristol club as well as playing once on loan for Doncaster Rovers.

On leaving Eastville Richard moved back to Exeter and played for Dawlish Town before helping out Torquay United on a temporary basis when appearing at Workington on 3 April 1976 in front of a crowd of 768.

Eight years later, in rather similar circumstances and still appearing for Dawlish, Richard made his solitary appearance for Exeter City as Len Bond’s replacement before a crowd of 6,870 in the 21 April 1984 home fixture against Plymouth Argyle.

Also playing for Tiverton Town and Minehead he became an area manager for Carlsberg.