On This Day: 31 May 1913

The Devon and Exeter Gazette reported on this day, Saturday 31st May 1913 that:-

EXETER CITY’S LOSS
CROMPTON GOES TO BRISTOL R.

Bristol Rovers yesterday transferred  Palmer, their outside left, formerly of Notts Forest, to Everton for a sum of £800, plus the transfer of Murray, the reserve centre-forward of Everton. The Club have also secured the signatures of two new forwards in Squires, of Watford, and Crompton, of Exeter City.

Supporters of the Exeter City Club will receive the above news with great regret. Crompton, who came to the City from Tottenham Hotspurs, was always a favourite with the crowd, and it was mainly due to his generalship that Exeter City occupied the position they did in the Southern League table at the end of the season.

As captain of the side Crompton worked energetically, and gave great confidence to his outside men, whether playing as inside-left or inside-right. He is what may be truly called a brainy player. His deft touches to his wing and his clever footwork were always much admired, and Exonians were complimenting themselves on the fact that he was one of the first of last season’s players to re-sign.

However, he has transferred to another Club, and what is Exeter City’s loss is Bristol Rovers’ gain.

For information. Exeter City finished 7th in the Southern League Division one, our 5th season as a professional club. Opposition that season included West Ham Utd, Watford, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Stoke City and Queen’s Park Rangers.

The manager was Arthur Chadwick, who took the reigns at the start of City’s professional life, and remained in that position for 14 seasons.

Ellis Crompton had 2 spells with Exeter City. Before going to Bristol Rovers he played in the 1912/13 season 32 times and scored 10 goals. He returned in the 1921 season from Rovers and played for the Grecians until 1926 playing 156 games, and scoring 6 goals. After leaving Exeter City he moved to Barnstaple Town.