All associated with Exeter City were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Club legend Alan Banks at the age of 87.
Affectionately known as 'Banksy', Alan was one of the greatest players ever to wear the red and white. Across two spells at St James Park, he made 258 league appearances and became the first player in the club's history to score 100 league goals, finishing with a remarkable tally of 101. He also scored 4 FA Cup and 4 League Cup goals giving him 109 first team competitive goals in all.
In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Exeter City, he was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2014.
Born in Liverpool, Alan began his professional career with Liverpool FC in 1956. Although opportunities were limited, he scored six goals in just eight league appearances before moving to Cambridge City in 1961, where his prolific form saw him score an incredible 129 goals in only two seasons.
Alan arrived at Exeter City in 1964 for a total fee of just £5,250, a transfer that proved to be one of the finest pieces of business in the club's history.
He made an immediate impact. Joining a side that had won only five of its opening 15 league matches, Alan's goals transformed City's season. He scored 18 league goals in just 28 appearances as Exeter won 15 of their remaining 31 fixtures to finish fourth in Division Four, securing the club's first-ever promotion.
After the relegation of 1966 and 43 goals from just 86 appearances at City, Alan moved to Plymouth Argyle. He could never quite settle at Plymouth though, probably due to his love for City, and he shortly returned to Devon’s capital just over a year later.
During his second spell, Alan finished as the club's leading scorer in three of the next six seasons and was twice named Exeter City's Player of the Season. One of his most memorable moments came in January 1969 when he scored City's opening goal against reigning European champions Manchester United in the FA Cup before a crowd of 18,500 at St James Park. Although United went on to win 3-1, Alan's strike remains one of the iconic moments in the club's history against a side featuring George Best, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and Nobby Stiles.
In February 1971, Alan wrote himself into the record books when his goal against York City took him past Graham Rees to become Exeter City's all-time leading goalscorer. When he departed for Poole Town in 1973, he had reached the landmark of 101 league goals, becoming the first player in club history to score a century for the Grecians.
His final league goal for Exeter came against Hereford United on 14 October 1972. By the end of his second spell, Alan had added a further 58 league goals in 173 appearances, taking his overall Exeter City record to 101 league goals in 258 league matches.
More than 50 years later, only Tony Kellow has surpassed Alan's goalscoring record for the club. A testament to the enduring legacy of one of Exeter City's finest-ever forwards.
Off the pitch, Alan remained every bit as passionate about Exeter City as he had been during his playing days. Full of warmth, humour and enthusiasm for football, he chose to make Exeter his home after retiring. He remained a familiar and much-loved figure around St James Park, helping to run the club's former players' team and regularly attending matchday hospitality events, where he always found time to share stories with supporters old and new.
Everyone at Exeter City sends their heartfelt condolences to Alan's family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Alan will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on for generations to come. The club will dedicate a match to Alan during the forthcoming season and is also planning a permanent tribute to honour one of the greatest players in Exeter City's history.