Bideford Blues smile confidently when photographed before their Kingsley League Northern Division game at home to Merton

A few minutes later they were playing with equal confidence and finished the game outstanding winners by 11 goals to 0.

Fine runs in local cup competitions have played havoc with the Blues’ League programme. They have games in hand over all their opponents and, although they are now lying in the second half of the league table, the good brand of football they play should ensure a rapid climb up the ladder. ‘Father’ of the side, Arthur Shute, will see to that!

Front row: Ernie Butler, Derek Kitto, Graham Hoare, John Davies, Tony Backway, Jack Sinclair, Otto Senik, Laurie Gillespie, Arthur Shute, Peter Adams, Ron Cornish, Keith Symons, Peter Willey, George Waters.

The full Gazette article is dated 4 February 1955