OVER the years most Football Clubs, whether they are Premier Division Clubs or local village teams, have varying periods of success and obviously this depends mainly on the ability of the players in the teams – particularly having one or two natural goal scorers.

During the first 100 years of Football in Crediton this has been true and teams have been of different abilities from League winners to relegation fodder.

Over the next few weeks, whilst there is little local sports news, I’m going to post a few photos of successful Crediton United teams since the earliest days. Maybe I can start a debate as to which team is considered the best ever Crediton United team.

My first of two photos is of one early team from the 1930’s, a team full of good footballers and were winners of the East Devon Senior Cup in season 1933-4.

Although the team photo is now more than 80 years old many will recall some of the players. The photo was taken at The Race Course where Crediton played at the time as “Crediton Town”. The ground was just inside the field from the footpath leading down from Crediton Railway Station.

The other photo is the team of 1962/3 Devon and Exeter League Division One Champions which included three ex Exeter City players, Fred Davey, Bill Ellaway and Ian Grinney

As you may see there is only one person who is in both photos 30 years apart.

Chris Gillard