Tony Hallett is planning to renew his season ticket after VIP experience
“His favourite game was in 1981 when Exeter City beat Newcastle in an FA Cup replay at St James Park,” added Morris. “Grandad went to the first game in Newcastle, travelling up on the train with a load of Exeter City supporters and the result was 1-1. Exeter City won 4-1 at St James Park and grandad said the best player on the pitch that day was Tony Kellow. He scored many goals for the club and didn’t mind getting stuck in either.”
“Grandad’s favourite ever Exeter City player was Gordon Dale,” said Kieran. “He played on the wing and was signed from Portsmouth for £5,000. He was fast and skillful and always kept the opposition on their toes. Grandad says if he was playing today he would be worth a few million in the current market.”
He has watched a lot of Exeter City games down the years, so who is his favourite player and what is his favourite match?
Hallett started watching games at St James Park just before the second world war broke out and still recalls going to matches between 1939 and 1945.
“It was a lovely surprise to have won the Express & Echo competition and he thanked the club for being so welcoming. He is looking forward to the new season and thinks it will be better than the last one. He says Paul Tisdale has brought in the right players to push on this season. “
“Grandad loved Thursday night and said the club treated him like royalty,” said Keiran Morris. “His favourite part of the evening was meeting Steve Perryman which is one of his all-time footballing heroes.
Hallett had been coming to watch Exeter City since he was 11, but had not renewed his season ticket this summer due to mobility issues.
Tony was the guest of honour at Exeter’s friendly with Cardiff City after his grandson, Keiran Morris, entered him into the Express & Echo’s competition to win a brand new home shirt signed by all of the first team players and his name was pulled out of the hat.
Eighty-eight-year-old Exeter City supporter Tony Hallet is planning to renew his season after being ‘treated like royalty’ at St James Park last Thursday.