FORMER Exeter City footballer Bob Rackley made an emotional return to St James Park for the first time in more than six decades.

Bob, who lives at a Dawlish care home, played for Exeter City between 1958 and 1960 and his trip to watch the team take on Huddersfield Town marked his first visit to a live match in many years.

Born in Teignmouth in 1940, Bob began his football career with Teignmouth and Newton Abbot Spurs before signing professionally for Exeter City in 1958, giving up an engineering apprenticeship to follow his passion.

He spent two seasons with the club, making the ‘A’ team as well as reserve appearances and scoring in the Devon Professional Championship final against Torquay United.

He later played for Bristol Rovers and Oldham Athletic, where he made 19 league appearances and scored five goals, including one against Exeter City.

He was welcomed back by Martin Weiler, club historian and curator at the Exeter City Museum, who shared archive photos and stories from Bob’s time with the club.

The visit also included a full tour of the ground, where Bob met the groundskeeping team and club officials before taking his front-row, pitch-side seat for the match.

Although the result went Huddersfield’s way with a 1-0 win, Bob’s visit included all the match-day traditions from a pasty and Bovril .

Bob said: 'It brought back so many memories.

‘It was wonderful to see the grounds again and reminisce after all these years.

‘Thank you to everyone who made me so welcome.’

Club staff took time to speak with Bob about his playing days and share stories from the club’s history.

The outing was arranged by the team at his care home, Claremont Manor.

Carla Bowman, manager, added: ‘This visit was very special for Bob, marking his return to a place which meant so much to him.

‘The club truly pulled out all the stops for his visit, and we couldn’t have been more grateful for their support with this.’