It is with great sadness that the club was informed last week of the passing of Colin Beer one of the nicest and most polite people you could ever meet.

Colin began his long journey in football as a youngster playing for the Okehampton youth team before joining Exbourne & Jacobstowe FC at the age of 16. In the 1954/55 season, the year that Exbourne won the Devon Junior Cup, Colin netted 87 goals.

His form earned him a move to Exeter City with whom he became a part time pro, playing predominantly for the reserves in the Southern League, but he did manage to make five first team appearances scoring twice on his debut against Southend United.

Upon leaving Exeter, Colin signed for Bideford at the start of the 1958/59 season. In all he made 140 league appearances scoring 30 goals and a further 32 cup appearances scoring another three goals in those.

He moved on to Bridgwater Town at the end of the 19661/62 season but only spent one season there before returning home to play for Okehampton at the age of 27. He continued to play for them until he hung up his boots in 1982 at the age of 42.

Colin then managed the side for a short while before becoming club secretary for 30 years, handing over the reins in 2005 to Charlie Bond. That was not the end for Colin at the club; he remained an avid supporter and called the numbers for the team’s Bingo Club.

The Devon FA awarded Colin a Lifetime Achievement award, one he truly deserved.
Colin was invited back to the club on a number of occasions but was always too busy with his involvement at Okehampton, as when he was not working with the club he was following his other keen interest, bowling for Okehampton Bowls Club.

Written by Ian Knight.