IN 2007 Colin White, a regular supporter of Crediton United, offered to write a history of Association Football in Crediton.

Colin had access to post-War Club Minute books, match-day programmes since 1985, the archives of the "Express and Echo" and other newspapers dating back to early 20th Century, as well as the memories of Club supporters.

The book was kindly sponsored by Rex Rozario OBE, who has been associated with the Club as Sponsor, President, and now Club Patron for nearly 45 years.

Colin has agreed for me to reproduce articles from his book for the "Crediton Courier".

He and his wife are now retired, living in Dawlish in a house with fantastic views along the East Devon Coastline. Below are paragraphs reproduced from Colin’s book exactly as they appear in the book. – Chris Gillard

STAN HURST

On several occasions the Club match programme featured items about Stan.

In January 1989 Pat Head wrote: “Ask anyone, who supported Exeter City before the last war, which players they remember, then invariably one of those mentioned is Stan Hurst.

Stan is now a regular supporter of Crediton United and was the Club’s Chairman in the 1950’s. It was through travelling with Stan to work that my association with the Club began.

Perhaps the highlight of Stan’s professional career was in the 1934-5 season, when he played in the City team that won the Third Division (South) Cup. To reach the final, City beat Crystal Palace 11-6, Watford 4-2 and Coventry 1-0 after drawing 1-1 at home.

In the semi-final against Brighton at Craven Cottage, Stan scored an extra-time equaliser. In the replay at Exeter he scored again in the 1-1 draw.

The second replay at Brighton gave City a 4-3 victory, with Stan scoring again.

The final was at Home Park, Plymouth against Torquay United, who had beaten Charlton Athletic, Aldershot and Norwich to reach the final.

It was Stan’s only goal of the match that won the Cup. Stan still holds the City record for scoring the most goals in a single match with seven against Swindon Town Reserves.

Stan played 107 games and scored 28 goals between 1931 and 1936 for the City. From there he moved on to Watford and Brighton, but his soccer career came to an abrupt end at the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.

He served in the Army for the duration. It is often claimed that the 1930’s were the hey-day of professional football, but Stan says that “Crediton’s facilities today are better than pre-war Exeter City.” Stan Hurst died suddenly in 1993, his widow Vera died in 2000, aged 92.

BILL BURMAN

Pat Head was to write in later years about Bill. In the 1950’s Bill was caretaker at Queen Elizabeth’s School.

He was a stalwart Crediton supporter and he was for many years an active member of the Committee.

He was especially interested in the reserve team and, at one time, ran the side almost single-handed. In those days school was attended on Saturday mornings and Pat (Head) recalled one occasion when Bill appeared in the corridor outside his classroom, apparently out of site of the teacher.

He began to try to attract the attention of a classmate who sometimes turned out for the reserves when they were short. Soon the whole class were watching Bill pointing at the boy concerned and kicking an imaginary football at his feet.

The teacher turned from the blackboard and told the lad to “go outside and tell Mr Burman whether or not you will be able to play football this afternoon”.

Even at work Bill was always accompanied by his faithful “Spot” - a grey and rather bedraggled mongrel dog. Spot went to all the matches sporting a piece of blue and white ribbon on his collar and always first on and off the team coach.

Bill was a tireless worker for the Club and deserved much credit for helping to keep it going in the late 50s. Bill died in September 1975.

THE END OF OLD HAYWARDIANS

Severe weather in February 1947 prevented the playing of many matches.

On March 22, there was another extraordinary game. Crediton United visited Tiverton and scored six, enough to win most matches.

However Tiverton Reserves put seven past them, so the total of 13 was unlucky for United. It was in the Gazette of March 25, 1947, that the following paragraph appeared: “At a winding-up meeting of the Old Haywardians Association Football Club it was unanimously decided to hand over a balance in hand of £19.14s together with all the assets to the Crediton United Football Club in view of the fact that all the Old Haywardians players still in the district are now members of the Crediton United Club".

Mr W.J (Bill) Ash, former Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer of the Old Haywardians handed the sum over to Mr I Lawrence, Hon Treasurer of Crediton United.