THE TIMES THEY ARE ACHANGING IN 53 YEARS AS DEVON & EXETER LEAGUE

Just 53 years ago in 1972 the Exeter & District Football League changed its title to the Devon & Exeter Football League the name it bears today. In that first season, 148 teams competed in the League and notably included the first teams of Bideford AAC, Chelston, Crediton United, Dawlish Town, Dolphin United, Elmore, Exmouth Town, Ottery St Mary, St Lukes College, Exeter University, Sidmouth Town, Tiverton Town, and Willand Rovers.
Altogether 148 teams finished the 1972/73 season and a quick count shows that 94 were first teams, leaving 54 Reserve teams.

Much has happened since then, with higher Leagues being created and inevitably attracting the bigger teams, with many of those left behind no longer existing for various reasons.

Coming up to date the Devon & Exeter League 2024/25 season ended last month with 106 teams in nine divisions of which there were 56 first teams and 50 Reserve teams.

Compared to other regions of the County, the D & E League has been somewhat fortunate to retain this number and at this fridays Annual General meeting there could be around half a dozen more teams coming into the fold and to date only one withdrawal.

Our membership of teams over the years is quite interesting and maybe not so disheartening going by the statistics below which show the membership at ten year intervals over the past century

1925: 96
1935: 88
1945: War time no teams
1955: 95
1965: 115
1975: 148
1985: 132
1995: 144
2005: 123
2015: 129
2025: 106

Some final points of interest going back to the 1972 season is that there are still five current committee members whose names appeared in the 1972/73 handbook.

League Treasurer Roger Spray: (Junior fixtures officer and referee)
Vice president Pat Leisk (Referee)
Vice president Dave Pointing: (Thorverton secretary)
Referee appointments secretary): Terry Atkins (Referee)
Management committee Mike Webb: (Dolphin United manager)

Also in the 1972 handbook just a few of the notable officers sadly no longer with us:
Jack Spiller (President)
Fred Hoare and Harry Wood (active vice presidents)
Bill Slee (chairman)
Eric Manning (League secretary)
Walt Sanders and Harry Coldridge (Treasurers)
Roy Pennell (player registrations)
Lew Barding (Referee appointments)

Finally in the handbook just some of our notable referees from those days:
Ron Crabb (world cup fame)
John Clatworthy
Tony Ellis
Dave Penwarden
John Pike
Gordon Richards
Joe Urbas
Ivor Walters

 

Sunday 8th June 2025