Exeter City's archivist Andy Fuller is always discovering more about the history of our club and some of the players who have pulled on the Exeter City shirt.
This week, with the help of Glyn Aubrey, he has been finding out about Eli Bullock a player who played for just one season for the Grecians way back in 1921-22 (what was Exeter's second season in the Football League). His interesting findings are explained below.
"Nowhere to sit down at home"
Eli Bullock was born in Newcastle under Lyme on September 4th 1895, youngest son of George and Henrietta Bullock.He attended Hassell Street School, Newcastle and is said to have joined the army at the age of 16 as there was "nowhere to sit down at home" (the small terraced house was home to about ten at this time).He played football in the army and won a gold medal - later pawned in the 1930s and never (yet) recovered.
He served in the army for the duration of the Great War, acting as an officer's servant in the East Yorkshire Regiment and was at some point in the British army Hospital in Malta, possibly for malaria.Later he received an army pension for deafness a hereditary condition, which may have been exacerbated by the war. Returning to North Staffordshire Eli combined football with various labouring jobs.
Private Eli Bullock 18231 East Yorkshire Regiment in "hospital blue" British Army Hospital, Malta about 1918
"…he has two twinkling feet…"Express & Echo, 22/08/1921
The first mention of Eli playing for the Grecians was after the 'Possibles v Probables' match in August 1921. In the article, Bullock played for the 'reds' alongside: John McKechnie, Robert Stewart, James Mitton, Frank Brown, Joe Graham, Frank Newman, William Compton, Percy Hill & John Dochray.Eli thrilled the spectators by scoring the second goal and was praised by the writer for showing 'confidence and enthusiasm' as he led the attack.
In what was a difficult season for the Grecians, Eli came in for strong praise on a number of occasions, despite being hampered by injury."Bullock was always such a willing and purposeful forward that the opposition backs could not afford to neglect him", the Express & Echo wrote on 22.10.1921 after the 1- 1 draw away at Swindon and "Bullock engaged so much of Jobey's attention that the centre half had little time to spare", after the 2 - 0 win over Northampton Town on 3.4.1922 and there were many other comments like this.
Some of the players to represent Exeter City FC during the 1921-2 Season (Pinnace Cigarette Cards)
Eli Bullock played 27 First Team Matches in the Third Division (South) of the Football League for Exeter City FC 1921-22, all at number 9 (Centre Forward).He made his debut in a 1 - 0 defeat at Charlton Athletic in August 1921, and netted his first goal for the club in a 2 - 2 draw at home to Newport County four months later.
He scored four goals - against QPR, Newport County, Northampton Town and Aberdare Athletic (in his final game) and also a hat-trick for the reserves against Watford whilst coming back from injury.
The Grecians ended the season in 21st position in the Division Three South, and thus had to apply for re-election to The Football League, which they did successfully.Despite their lack of success, including a fifth qualifying round exit in the FA Cup losing to Bristol Rovers after a replay, attendances at St James' Park at that time were quite good as City averaged 6,190 for league matches.
He married during the season to Sarah Ann Elizabeth Parker and they lived 'in digs' on Albion Road, Heavitree, but, after just the one season Eli moved back up north to continue his football.
Eli Bullock's Football Career:
1911-14 and WW1: Served in the Army and played football; served in France, the Balkans and the Middle East.
1919-20: Crew Alexandra reserves
Sep - Nov 1920: Crew Alexandra (Central League)
Nov 1920 - May 1921: Macclesfield FC (Cheshire League)
Aug 1921 - May 1922: Exeter City (Football League Division 3 South)
1923-4: Macclesfield FC (Cheshire League)
1924-5 / 1925-6: Runcorn (Cheshire League)
Players like Eli Bullock can easily (but wrongly) be forgotten from history and this is something we would like to prevent.
If you have any information on former players and to donate or loan items to the Grecian Voices project contact Andy Fuller on 07821 001482, email andy.fuller@exetercityfc.co.uk of write to him at Andy Fuller, Exeter City FC, St James Park, Exeter EX4 6PX
