THIS article is a “tongue in cheek” exercise to try to honour some of the players who have graced the grass at Lords Meadow during the past 30 years - that is since 1990.

Everyone has their different opinions as to who they consider to be their type of players and we hope that this is all taken in good spirit.

This was “Blanchies” idea so if you need to shoot anyone he’s your man!

We have had a few ex-pros play for us over this period, including Tony Kellow, Steve Cooper, Eamon Collins and Peter Hatch but we have agreed that these should not be included. The three of us do not know the player’s names that the other two have chosen.

Chris Gillard’s Top 25

Mike Barrett, Steve Guppy, Andy Bulled, Steve Paddon, Steve Goss, Kevin Hawkins, Steve Avery, Chris Ormand, Darren Seldon, John Harkness, Gavin Hudd, Matt Trenaman, Jason Came, Scott Brimilcombe, Kevin Pitts, Dave Lee, Perry Carpenter, Norman Bye, Adam Bilcock, Nigel Harris, Kenny Ord, Rickie Lennie, Neil Gauntlett, Russell Dawson and Richard Blake.

Like most football supporters I enjoy watching the silky skills of a naturally graceful ballplayer but I have included in my 25 players several grafters who have made “themselves” good players by hard work and dedication to the game and rarely let you down. These have done well for the Club and themselves and enjoyed long playing careers.

Ian Grinney’s Top 25

A mixture of the names below would be capable of success in the present Peninsula League:

The Old Stagers - Melvin Steer, Peter Howarth, John Twitchen, John Hurst, Chris Gillard, Alan Matten, Jimmy Pearn and Wally Rice.

The Mid Stagers - John Harkness, Mickey Stevens, Ronnie Stagg, Chris Slateford, Neil Gauntlett, Andy Skinney, Andy Bulled, Steve Paddon, Kevin Pitts and Neil Sanders.

The Youngsters - Matt Trenamen, Perry Carpenter, Dave Lee, Steve Goss, Simon Durrant, Steve Morrish and Andy Billcock.

There are many more not listed here, who I also rated for their ability and loyalty to Crediton United but 25 is the restriction.

Dave Blanchford’s Top 25

Before I name my 25 best players I will say sorry if I have forgotten some as my memory is not as good as Ian Grinney or Chris Gillard.

This started when I suggested we “three old farts” should make our dream team out of 20 players of the past and proposed 1990 onwards but they changed the rules to 1964 onwards. My suggestion was over-ruled. So here we go:

Melv Steer, John Hurst, John Twitchen, Alan Matten, Ricky Stevens, Reg Casling, Terry Petherick, Andy Cranch, Don Hatherly, Jim Stewart, Chris Slateford (magic), Don Teague, Wally Rice, Colin Yeo, Mike Barrett, Mike Searle (two keepers), Andy Bulled, John Harkness, Norman Bye, Neil Gauntlet, Wally Dawson, Mel Pym (my grandson who played for Tivvy Town, Truro, Dawlish Town and Barnstaple Town and of course Crediton United before he was 18 on John Cornforth’s recommendation, from a very proud grandad, he went on to Leicester for a trial also on Corny’s recommendation. 

I must mention Trevor Atkins as I was chairman at the time  - not easy to deal with, he wanted the best for his team. As chairman I wanted the best for the club and you can only have one boss!

I am sorry as President of Crediton AFC I have not included players as of this time as they have got their playing days in front of them, except Trendy and Richard who are vets. Thank you for all you have done for our club.

Trevor (Atkins) once said to me “I will pick the team, you run the club”. Gavin Hudd, who heard the conversion replied “you are building a team Trevor, Blanch is building a club”. Thank you Gavin.