by Chris Gillard

I AM currently looking after the Crediton United Committee minute books from the early 1950’s to 1990, some of which have probably not been read for more than 50 years.

I have picked out some minutes from over the years.

Monday, August 9, 1954 - The following was reported for the match on Saturday, August 7 v Exeter City F.C. Collection in boxes £21-17-8d. Draw on field £9-0-7d. Cost of chicken 14/-. Profit £8-6-7d. Mr Hurst the Chairman expressed his thanks to all who worked so hard to make the friendly match such a success for he thought all the arrangements went very well.

Monday, September 13, 1954 - A letter had been received from the County to explain why the club played Exeter City before the season started. This had been answered by the chairman asking them to state the rule the club had broken. A letter was received from the County explaining the rule was in the F.A rule book. An answer was to be sent to the County to the effect that the Club was not aware it had broken a rule.

Monday, September 20, 1954 - It was agreed that the Secretary did right in signing the transfer form for Ian Grinney to play for Exeter City.

Monday, September 27, 1954 - It was proposed by L. Ashplant and seconded by B. Elston that the bill to Adams of 1/- 2d should be paid. This was carried.

Monday, November 29, 1954 - A letter from Ilfracombe Town A.F.C was read out re Colin Clark. Secretary stated that he had seen Colin Clark who wished to play for his own Club on Saturday, December 4, but would like to try out with Ilfracombe another time.

Monday, August 12, 1957 - Joseph Frisby Ltd. The letter from the firm stating that the club had a credit balance of 2/3d with the firm was noted.

August 12, 1957 - It was proposed by Mr Head, who raised the matter, that the Lucozade, given to players during the interval of a match should continue to come from the Plymouth Inn.

Monday, September 2, 1957 - It was proposed by Mr A. Vodden and seconded by Mr Elston that the changing rooms at the Oatsheaf Hotel should be whitewashed by the Club.

Monday, February 17, 1958 - Account with Fred Vigers. This was agreed to with the exception of charge for laces.

Monday, March 3, 1958 - A letter was read from Reg Tilt, secretary of the Minors Section of the League, stating that J. Gorrett had been selected to play in a trial game on March 8 at Countess Wear from which a team would be chosen to play Portsmouth at Easter.

Wednesday, June 4, 1958 A.G.M - A letter from Mr Hurst, the Club Chairman, who was not present, was read in which he stated that owing to the findings of the Misconduct Committee in Exeter he felt compelled, with regret, to resign from the Club.

The resignation of Mr Hurst arose from incidents that occurred in an evening match with Heavitree on our ground on April 23. A report of these incidents was sent to the Misconduct committee by the referee Mr Haydon as a result of which the Club, Mr Hurst and another were fined.

Lucozade - It was agreed that on account of the expense this should be dispensed with during the coming season.

Monday, September 10, 1962 - The secretary was instructed to make a reservation for 20 members at the Four Stars Hotel, Sussex Gardens, London for October 6. It was also decided that the coach would leave the Oatsheaf Hotel at midnight on Friday, October 5 and leave London at 2pm on Sunday, October 7. Non-members of the Club would pay £2-6-0 including fare and hotel expenses.

Monday, October 8, 1962 - Match result - Away Croydon Gas Sports F.C Lost 7-4 scorers Grinney 2, Matten 2.

Monday, February 11 1963 - The chairman reported that he had spoken to Mr G.W. Discombe of Newcombes Trust regarding the old Arts Centre and adjoining garage in Newcombes Grounds and that the Club wishes to rent the buildings providing they have permission to carry out alterations including the installation of toilets and showers.

Monday, March 6, 1967 - To mark the marriage of C.Gillard on Saturday, March 11, it was agreed to obtain and present to Chris a biscuit barrel.

Monday, March 13, 1967 - The Chairman reported on the successful visit to the Shelley School and the interesting discussion which took place with the boys and Mr Ellis.

Monday, March 20 1967 - It was agreed to book a coach for the matches at Topsham and Beer over Easter and for the Topsham Match, the coach to leave at 9.30am whereas for Beer, the coach was to leave at 1.45pm.

Monday, May 1, 1967 - After the match at St Luke’s, the Vice-Chairman of the Exeter and District league presented to the Captain, Mr D.Blanchford, the Trophy for the Senior Division 1A Championship. During the course of the Saturday evening, visits were made to the following Vice-President’s public houses: Three Horse Shoes, White Hart, King’s Arms, Duke Of York, Oatsheaf, Con. Club and the majority of people visited the Mitre. An offer by the Licensee Of the Mitre to display the Cup in his window was accepted.

It was agreed that the following players should receive medals: G. Lee, J. Twitchin, D. Blanchford, J. Gillard, C. Gillard, M. Steer, G. Woolacott, C. Davey, A. Holmes, I. Grinney, A. Matten, J. Hurst, C. Sweet, M. Mathews, F. Davey and J. Gorrett.

The Secretary was asked to write to Mr S.Keen thanking him for the bottle of Champagne which he generously gave to the team after the match at St Luke’s.

Monday, September 25, 1967 - Mr W.J.Ash proposed and Mr H Elston seconded that a joint letter be written to Mr W.H.Vincent and Mr H. Branton thanking them for their kind gesture in presenting us with the sign on the Club’s pavilion and all that they have done for us in the last 12 months.

Monday, October 2, 1967 - A letter was read from the Crediton UDC stating that they had noticed that a sign had been erected on the Club’s pavilion without their permission and that the wooden hut in the corner of the ground needed repair.

Monday, November 11, 1967 - A letter was read from Torquay United A.F.C asking if we would agree to Steve Snell playing on Saturday afternoons for their nursery club Newton Abbot Spurs. It was decided not to stand in his way.

Monday, January 8, 1968 - Mr C Gillard then gave details of estimates he had obtained in connection with a proposed trip at Easter to London. A coach for three days would cost £45 whereas Bed and Breakfast would be £2 each night.

Monday, January 29, 1968 - The secretary reported that he had received a cheque for £4-4-0 from the Oddfellows for the use of the Pavilion for their meetings for the past year.

Mr Elston reported that Mr N. Baker had offered to clean the changing rooms weekly at the fee of 5/- per hour. It was agreed to ask Mr Baker to carry out the duties until the end of the season at a weekly fee of 10/-.

Monday, February 19, 1968 - Arising from the minutes, the secretary reported that J. Twitchin had paid his outstanding dues and the appropriate transfer had been signed.

The formal letter to Ottery St Mary AFC regarding the club’s intended approach to David Woolacott had been sent.

An application from D.M. Turner for a transfer from Bow A.F.C was received and duly accepted and signed.

Monday, April 1, 1969 - London Tour - It was resolved that Club members and officials should be charged £6 per head and others £6-10s per head. (Trip was to Whitbreads).

Monday, April 28, 1969 A.G.M - After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that a First Team Manager be elected to have control over team selection and coaching of the First X1 and to select, with assistance from other committee members and the team captains, of the Second X1. Mr I. Grinney was unanimously elected.