Terry takes on President role for East Devon cups

End of month deadline for clubs to enter the East Devon cups competitions

Terry Atkins has been elected as President of the East Devon Cups competition. Terry was voted in at the AGM held this week at the St Martins football club after the sad losses of both Mike Hoyle and Pat Martin in recent months. Terry Atkins is well known as the Devon & Exeter League’s referee appointments secretary but he has a long long history as a player with Friernhay and several notable Western League clubs, before becoming a referee himself for many years and with a European Cup quarter final linesman role to his credit.

Recently appointed East Devon Cups chairman Mike Phillips opened the meeting and welcomed Paul Webb of Thorverton as a new committee member.

The main action taken by the meeting was to come into line with the County cups competitions and take away extra time so all matches will go straight to penalties if scores level at 90 minutes.
Five substitutes will also be allowed this season as in line with the recent D & E decision.

Clubs will have until the end of this month if they wish to play in the relevant competitions and should get in touch with the cups secretary Graham Moore asap. Grahams contact details are on this website.

It was also agreed where possible to try and stage all finals at their respective historic homes. The Bill Slee final will be staged for the foreseeable future at Dawlish where Bill was a Sandy Lane legend.

Not so easy for the East Devon Senior cup and Football Express Cup. The first ever EDSC final was played on the old County ground in Exeter, and the Football Express at Dawlish.
That EDSC final of course was the last match for St Sidwells Utd before changing their name to Exeter City.
After that most finals have been staged at St James Park, but that is no longer an option. So the East Devon Cups choice is at Creditons Lords meadow with the Express cup at St Martins Minster Park.
That leaves the Geary cup donated by Heavitree United twice in memory of the late Harry Geary. The first trophy was destroyed in the Blitz during World war 2. However Wingfield Park may no longer be an option for the final, so a ground may need to be found each season.

Thursday 14th July 2022