TREVOR Atkins, who played football for Exeter City and who was a long-time manager and supporter of Crediton United AFC, died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on October 21, aged 81, after a fall at home.

A funeral service for Trevor will be held at St Peter’s Chapel, Exeter and Devon Crematorium on Thursday, November 10 at 1.30pm.

Born in Exeter where he lived for most of his life, Trevor was a life-long City supporter. He was a member of its ground staff when he so impressed with his fast running, he had been Devon youth 220 yards champion when at Hele’s School, that at 16 he began playing with City’s youth teams.

He never had a regular place with Grecians but was in the First Team line up for the first time when they played Watford in 1957.

The following year he signed a full professional contract, turning down offers from Portsmouth and Worcester City.

Then came two seasons with Peterborough United after which Trevor signed for Barnstaple Town in May, 1962 and played for Sunday football club, Prince Albert FC.

However, a bad ankle injury signalled the end of his playing career. He was appointed manager of Clyst Rovers in 1984, then Exeter Arms FC, Crediton United from 1985 to 1995, then Topsham Town.

There have been a number of tributes including on Facebook where Crediton United AFC said he was the longest-serving manager ever at the club.

The Facebook post said that during his five years with the club in the Devon and Exeter League he won the Devon and Exeter Premier Championship and then promotion to the Western League for a further four years.

The post adds that although it is 38 years since Trevor left the club, many people at the club still recall those happy years.

All his life Trevor had been a strong Exeter City and Manchester United supporter.

South West Peninsula League on its Facebook page added that he was a long-standing and highly successful manager of both Crediton and Topsham Town FC.

Trevor had married Nicky who he had known for 45 years. Married for 33 years they lived in Exeter and had five children and 10 grandchildren.

There is a full story of his football career on the Grecians website where he is called “a true legend”.

Trevor was a postman in Exeter and then worked in the Bedford Street Post Office.

LOCAL TRIBUTE

In a tribute to Trevor two “proud life members” of Crediton, Ian Grinney and Dave Blanchford, have written -

Our manager for almost 10 years from 1985 to 1995, two years in Devon and Exeter, then almost five years in the Western League Division One and three years in the Premier, were the best times for all our supporters.

We had very good crowds and a bus for most away trips, stopping at Junction 22 on our way home from Bristol, which seemed to be most of our away trips.

The Knowle Inn pulled us that way, except that Trevor and his cousin, Brian, would go home and leave Ian and myself to look after 14 or 15 young men. Of course, we had to join them.

These were the best times we had football-wise in our time at the Club to-date.

Trevor was so professional on or off the field. We old foggies will never forget Trevor Atkins. Rest in Peace. This has not been easy to put into words but you put Crediton United on the map, Trevor.

PS We shall be arranging a home game in the future in Trevor Atkins’ memory which one of his old players is kindly sponsoring. Watch this space! Thank you.

Sue Read