My First Argyle Derby Game

The first Argyle derby game I attended was back in 1976. A hot Saturday August 14th to be precise. A league Cup 1st round 2nd leg game. City had gone to Home Park on the Saturday and had won 1-0 thanks to a début goal from Tony Kellow. 8688 had been at Home Park to witness the Grecians win. Plymouth were in Division 2 (Championship in today’s money), while Exeter were in the old Division 4. The Sunday Independent reported:-

Quite simply, Exeter played the better football – and Plymouth let them. City’s quick incisive play had Argyle bewildered, …

The stage was set for the 2nd leg on Wednesday 18th August. All to play for.

What was unexpected, was in the invasion of Argyle fans in to Exeter on the day. The game was  a 7.30pm kick off but the opposition fans arrived early in the day and were intent on trouble. Hooliganism was very much a prime focus in the mid 1970s, but the scale took most people by surprise. Police rounded up 150 of the fans, many schoolboys according the press, and penned them in to Northenhay Park. 29 arrests were made, mostly from Plymouth based fans. Despite segregating fans in the ground, police still had to separate fighting rival fans.

Anyway, a game was played. 8859 fans turned up. The tension was pulpable. As it had been when popping in to town earlier that day. Plenty of police in the cowshed, and plenty looking after the St James Road end. No dayglo clad stewards attempting to keep the peace.

With one eye on the crowd and associated events, the other for the football! What a game, and what a performance from the men in red and white. Mike Jordan being the hero. Having climbed off his sick bed, he scored the winner in the 36th minute. a 2-0 aggregate win, and the double over our Devon rivals.

Tony Phillips in the Express and Echo in his match report fortuitously said:-

It does not need a crystal ball to tell you that Exeter City must have an outstanding chance of promotion this season. The proof is live and there to be seen where it counts … on the field.

Both victories were fashioned around tremendous team performances, and I would bet that has pleased John Newman as much as anything.

Keith Clapham played a long ball to expose Argyle. Both Tony Kellow and Mike Jordan were involved before Jordan drove in a tremendous shot that went in off thepost.

A great day and evening! But also a great win over our rivals. A walk home keeping well away from rivals fans as well. We drew Norwich City in the next round. They beat us 3-1 in front of 9,449 fans.

Pictures courtesy of the Exeter Express and Echo.