Exeter City were sad to hear of the passing of club legend Keith Harvey this week.
Keith, born in Crediton, was a truly magnificent servant to Exeter City who played in well over 500 league and cup matches for the club.
Only one other player has appeared in more games for the Grecians - Arnold Mitchell - and they were to partner each other in City sides for many seasons.
Signing professional for Exeter in August 1952, Keith made his league debut in a goalless draw at Bristol Rovers a month later.
It wasn’t until season 1954/55 that Harvey won a regular place in the side, taking over the centre-half spot from Fred Davey.
He sustained a broken leg in October 1958 and also a broken ankle in a pre-season match in August 1962, but he fought back on each occasion and was a member of the City side that won promotion in 1964, a season in which he was an ever-present. He became Exeter City player of the year in 1965/66.
Appointed trainer at Exeter in July 1966, he still continued to play and gave up the position of trainer after just one year.
However, he again turned to training players after his own playing career came to an end. Leaving Exeter in December 1972, he became a postman in his home town of Crediton. He then worked for the post office in Worthing from 1981.
The thoughts and wishes of everyone at Exeter City are with Keith’s family and friends.
Last season Keith talked about the first, best and worst moments of his footballing career for the City programme The Grecian. You can read the article here