18th July 1888

Paignton, Devon

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Harry Crute played three Southern League games for Exeter City during 1911/12. Born in Paignton, and signed from Babbacombe, he was one of the relatively few Devon-born players to appear during City’s early days as a professional club.  

With both Exeter City’s senior goalkeepers injured, the Grecians had to move quickly for replacement to face Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on Christmas Day 1911. Thus Crute became one those rare players to have made his debut on 25th December, having been signed from Babbacombe. It was a big step up for the amateur, and he was beaten three times as Argyle won 3-1. Crute went onto play in two further Southern League fixtures for the Grecians, at home to Watford (lost 0-1) and away at New Brompton (lost 1-4).

He died in the Torbay area in 1976.

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