CREDITON United won’t go down in history as one of the most successful teams in local football but it has survived in one form or another for more than 110 years.

Originally formed as Crediton United, football in the town has “morphed” through the decades as Crediton Town, Crediton AFC, Jackson’s United, Crediton Rangers and Jackson Centurions.

Following the Second World War the Club settled back down as “United” and has been so for the past 75 years plus.

Thirty of those years were at Newcombes Meadow and the last 45 at Lords Meadow.

During these periods league honours have been fairly few and far between, partly because there have been so many “pop-up” Clubs around the Exeter area which were successful for a few years then retreated into oblivion when the few “star” players moved on to another club.

However, United has had several successful periods throughout the last 75 years, not least winning the 1966/7 Exeter and District Senior One Division Championship under Dave Blanchford’s Captaincy.

Dave joined Crediton United in 1965, following a move back to Crediton to live, having previously played for Cullompton Town and then two seasons at Sandford in 1963-5.

Rumours that the transfer fee for Dave coming to Crediton United were the promise of Bill Ash and Harry Elston buying their milk from Dave are unfounded!

Dave’s second season as Captain, (no managers in those days), with the First Team was successful with the team winning its Division and returning to the Premier Division the following season.

Dave has been with the Club as a player with the first team for seven seasons, five of these in the Premier Division.

Following this, as player, manager and captain of the Reserves, Dave again won promotion in 1970-71.

A year or two later following the move to Lords Meadow, Dave became a Committee Member, then eventually Chairman and now Club President.

Chris Gillard