IN a few weeks time Crediton United will be reaching the 50th Anniversary since its Reserves Team Championship win of the, then, Exeter and District Senior 2B Division.

Dave Blanchford, still in his early 30s, had taken over the position of Reserves team player manager, following the suggestion by, up until then, one of his best friends and first team manager Ian Grinney that he should retire from First team football to help the Club’s Reserve team but also allow youngsters and in particular a promising defender Tony Elston to play higher grade football.

Dave, who played First team football at Cullompton and then Crediton for 17 or 18 years was not overwhelmingly happy and was determined to show that he still had some life in him.

An end of season match between First and Second team was played after which the cup and medals were presented. There is no record of the match result except, no doubt, in Dave’s head!

Chris Gillard