Cyril Crawshaw was signed by Exeter City from Stalybridge Celtic in July 1939 but the outbreak of the Second World War put his playing career on hold. He returned to play three times in 1945/46 including once in the FA Cup.

Cyril started his career with Rossendale United prior to joining Rochdale in 1936. After just two league games for the Spotland club Cyril played for Fleetwood, Queen of the South and Stalybridge Celtic eventually signing for Exeter City on the eve of war. 

Reappearing at St James Park six years later, Cyril played twice in the ‘emergency’ competitions held during 1945/46 ahead of the resumption of the Football League the following season. His first game was against Bristol City at Ashton Gate in December 1945 in the Division Three South (South of the Thames) league; the second was against Cardiff City at Ninian Park two months later in the Division Three South Cup (Southern Section).

Cyril also scored City’s only goal in the 1-3 home defeat in the FA Cup second-leg tie against Newport County in December 1945; his solitary ‘official’ appearance for the club.   

Cyril spent the 1946-47 season with Hull City and was later with Ashton United. He died in Worsley, Lancashire on 27 January 2003. .