NOT many people can boast of celebrating their 80th birthday with a football match, fundraising for charity and a presentation that had been a very tightly kept secret, it really was almost pain of death to even murmer a hint.

Dave Blanchford was the birthday “boy” and the match, arranged by Dave, was the first friendly of the season for Crediton United First team who played Willard Rovers on Saturday afternoon (July 13). All proceeds were for ELF, Exeter Leukaemia Fund, which Dave has supported for some years.

Members of Hot Pins, the knitting group that meets every month at Evans Newsagents on Crediton High Street were selling knitted goods for the charity.

Dave has been friends with the Willand club for a long time, hence inviting them for a game on Saturday.

They won the Western League last year, being then one Division above Crediton but that gave them promotion so they are now two Divisions ahead.

Dave has been involved with Crediton AFC for more than 50 years and commented: “The positive feeling about this club is amazing.”

The day was very well attended with birthday celebrations continuing into the evening, even though Crediton lost the match in the afternoon.

Before the buffet in the clubhouse, the club chairman, Martin Edgington, called Dave on to the stage where he presented him with a silver salver acknowledging his long-term commitment to the club and making him club President.

Dave said he was overwhelmed, lost for words which is a very rare situation, adding that they did not really know how honoured he felt.

His football life began as a boy. “We were farming near Cullompton, I played for Kentisbeare when I was 15 and then Cullompton from 1956 to 1962.

“When we moved to Priestcombe on the edge of Crediton, I was playing for Sandford. Bill Ash and Harry Elston came and asked me to play for Crediton.

“Monica and I were married in 1963, I played for Crediton for seven years, was Captain during that time - and I am still here,” he said.

Dave admitted that he and the club had had a few ups and downs but each time it was sorted.

He has been chairman and is a Life Member. Dave and Monica have three daughters who were very involved with the club, as is Monica, and a son.

They have eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Their eldest grandson is playing for the Seconds.

During the evening Dave presented Monica with a bouquet.