Hopes and Expectations 
EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB.
SEASON 1953-1954.

Founded in 1904, It is now known (2022) that Exeter City had their name changed in 1904 to Exeter City, having previously been St Sidwell's United who were formed in 1901.
Exeter turned professional 1908.

Ground:- St. James's Park, Exeter.

Colours: Red shirts with white collars and cuffs, white knickers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

Mr. S. H. Thomas, chairman.
Mr. F. P. Cottey, vice-chairman.
Messrs. A.T.Ford, C.W.H.Hill, J.Lake, J.Rigby, L.Seward, J. Warne, H.L.White. Mr. G.H.Gillin from March 31 1954.
Secretary: Mr G. J. Gilbert.

Player-manager:- Mr Norman Dodgin.
Trainer: Mr Harry Hanford.


Players

Goal: H.R.Kelly, B.Singleton.

Backs: N.Douglass, E.S.Rowe, J.Storey, R.Walton.

Half-backs:- S.Booth, F.Davey, N.Dodgin, R. L. Doyle, R.Goddard, K.W.Harvey, R.King, P.V.McLean.

Forwards:- J.Dailey, D.Digby, J.Knight, C. McClelland, A.M.Mackay, A.Marsh, A.Mitchell, E.Murphy, W.Parker, G.Priestley, L.Samuels.

Captain:- Norman Dodgin.
Vice-captain:- Ray Goddard.

TRANSFERRED.
N.Black, K.Rose, and F. Wood, to Rochdale.
Ivan Armes to Lowestoft Town.
Jim Clark to Gloucester City.
Ray Howells to Barnstaple Town.
Peter Fallon to Queen's Park Rangers.
Graham Lear to Bristol Rovers.

THE NEW GRECIANS.
Norman Douglass, a left back born Durham, played for Crook Town and Chelsea, signed for Exeter June 4 1953.

Jim Storey, a right back m, born Rowlands Green, played for Spen Black and White and Newcastle United. Signed June 4.

Gerald Priestley, an outside right, born Halifax, played for Notts Forest, signed June 22.

Leslie Samuels, an inside right born Oldham, played for Burnley, signed July 2.

Alan Marsh, a Centre-Forward, born Sidmouth, signed July 23.

William Parker, an outside left, born Liverpool, played for Runcorn, Reading, and Swindon Town. Signed July 23.

Peter McLean, a right-half born Fife, played for Bo'ness and Reading, signed August 5.

Roger King, a left half, born Nottingham, played for Notts County, signed August 7.

OTHER MOVES.

Alan Sword, an outside right, from Sidmouth, September 4 1953.

Derek Digby, an outside left to Southampton, September 10 1953.

Andy Donaldson, a Centre Forward from Peterborough, Sept. 11 1953.

John G. Owens, a right half  from Pontypridd, October 4 1953.

William Ellaway, an inside right  from Crediton, November 4 1953.

Jim Dailey, a Centre Forward to Workington, December 17 1953.

Basil Cook, a Centre Forward from Torquay United, December 24 1953.

Maurice Setters, an outside right from Honiton, January 22 1954.

Les Samuels to Wrexham, March 27 1954.

Brian Doyle, a right back from Stoke City, April 15 1954.

Ray Goddard to Bideford Town, April 15th 1954.


Practice Games

EXETER CITY PRACTICE MATCHES.
AT ST JAMES'S PARK.
Saturday, August 8th 1953.

REDS 3-0 BLUES 
Mitchell 2, Murphy for the Reds 

Referee:- Mr J.Marsh.

Linesmen: Messrs B.Shorland and G.Ogley.

Half-time 3-0.

Reds:
Kelly; Walton, Douglass; Harvey, Goddard, Davey; M.Setters, Knight, Mitchell, Murphy, McClelland.
2nd half: Sword in place of Mitchell.

Blues:
Singleton; Storey, Rowe; Booth, Doyle, King; Priestley, Samuels, Dailey, Mackay, Parker.

Attendance 3723,
Receipts £293.1s.6d.

Without goals midfield manouvres are of to no avail and that is why the Blues were a beaten side in the Opening Exeter City practice match. They had skill in approach but could not strke a decisive blow. The marshalle comparable creative ability plus the additional assets of penetrative power and a better defence.

Mitchell, the discard of last May and wisely re-engaged a few weeks ago, played a prominent part, Figuring in the unfamiliar centre forward role, he only played one half but he demonstrated match winning qualities. He scored twice, the first low shot from a Murphy pass. The next was a close range effort during a defensive confusion wrought by Murphy's clever football,

Between those goals Murphy had shot a goal well out of Singleton's reach, The 19 year old Sword who is on National Service training in the West Country replaced Mitchell at the start of the second half, he is on Newcastle United's books,

As good as any of the close season signings was Parker. He was fast, purposeful and created a pleasant impression, so did Samuels a thoughtful inside right in the same forward lineAs a practice game there was a fair amont of entertainment, Exchanges were fast on this sultry August evening and zealous without being over keen,

Roger King has signed for Exeter City. A 24 year old he was a regular member of the Notts County Midland side. He also had offers from Leyton Orient, Stockport County and Yeovil TownA native of Burton on Trent he is 5ft 11ins and 11st 91b. Notts County was his only professional club, A substantial fee was paid by Exeter City.

TUESDAY 11th AUGUST 1953.

City are to include 20 year old Gerald Ware from Taunton in their second practice match tomorrow. He has played for Newport County Reserves.

Wednesday, August 12th, 1953.

REDS (Dailey 2) 2
BLUES (McClelland, Mackay penalty) 2

Half-time 1 - 1.

Reds:
Kelly; Walton, Rowe; McLean, Goddard, Harvey; Priestley, Samuels, Dailey, Knight, Parker.

Blues:
Singleton; Doyle, Marsh; Booth, G.Ware, Davey; M.Setters, Mackay, Mitchell, Murphy, McClelland.

Attendance 2 377,
Receipts £179. 12s. 6d.

On a bone hard surface which caused the ball to move nearly as fast as a puck on an ice hockey rink, most forwards showed all too plainly the handicap under which they toiled, The first half exchanges favoured the reds, the blues the more assertive force afterwards, a big factor in the transformation was Mitchell, who again was a success in his new centre forward position. First goal of the match was scored by McClelland, who ran into meet a pass from Setters and hit low oblique shot past Kelly, When the Reds drew level the man who made the goal was right half McLean, he fainted to slip the ball inside, ran around the blind side of the defence and passed to Knight, another quick flick to Dailey gave the centre forward the easiest of chances to shoot hard past Singleton, In the 75th minute McClelland in full cry for goal was upended by Goddard, Mackay took the penalty successfully to put the Blues ahead again, A few minutes from time Goddard sent Dailey away, two defenders closed in on him but he lobbed the ball over the advancing Singleton into the net.

• Percy Varco has been made Mayor of his home town Fowey, Varco first signed professional forms with Aston Villa in 1920 Heplayed in the City cup team of 1931 and also appeared with Torquay United, Q.P.R, Norwich City and Brighton.
• On holiday in Exeter and looking as fit and youthful as when he left is Jackie Scott the outside right in the City side that just missed promotion in the 1932/33 season