Edited by Chris Gillard

The referee’s car

AT the Annual General Meeting on June 4, 1958, Mr W Tomlinson was appointed Secretary.

Before the 1958-9 season started there was some awkward business relating to the repair of a car belonging to a referee.

The County FA demanded payment within 21 days on pain of suspension; the Club appealed to the FA but had to yield.

By August 25, there were 24 players on the books and estimates were being sought from Wright’s of Bow, Way of Crediton and Venner of Witheridge to supply team transport. The business went to Mr Wright.

There was a novelty, a first white football was purchased!

Other Exeter City connections - Keith Harvey

Keith Harvey was the longest serving Crediton player with 17 years at St James’ Park and a total of 517 games in an Exeter City shirt between 1952 and 1969, a record only beaten by his contemporary Arnold Mitchell because Keith had several serious injuries, including a broken leg, ankle and collar bone three times!

In the days of the old Third Division South, Exeter was attracting home crowds of more than 7,000.

Later Crediton managers Trevor Atkins and Graham Weeks were both professionals with City and during their time with United numerous other ex-City pro’s played for the Club, including Peter Hatch, Phil Locke, Peter Rogers, and Kevin Smith.

Stan Hurst’s son John and Chris and John Gillard all played in the early 60s as amateurs.

From the Crediton United Club’s youth ranks Mark Hutchings, Richard Steer, Nigel Thomas, Andy Peters and Brett Wright have all had spells as YTS trainees.

Of United’s First team in 1988 Darren Clifford was also an apprentice with City, whilst Jason Came played in the City’s Under 18’s Youth Cup team.

However, no one has played for the first team since March 1, 1969 when Keith Harvey made his last appearance. It is time we had another representative.

Since this article was originally written in February 1998 Exeter City has introduced a new Football Academy Development system.

Local lads Harry Kite and Ben Seymour are currently second year full-time pros, Max Gillard spent two years as a youth academy trainee and Josh Davey, Perry Carpenter, Andy Cranch, Kieran Knight and others went through the youth development system.