Alan Banks has died aged 87, and Exeter City are marking the loss of one of the most important players in their history. He was the first player to score 100 league goals for the club, finished on 101, and made 258 appearances across two spells.
A record that defined his Exeter career
The numbers are the obvious place to start because they explain why Banks still sits so high in Exeter’s memory. He scored 101 league goals, which made him the club’s first 100-goal league scorer, and added 8 cup goals as well.
His first season set the tone. Banks scored 18 goals in that campaign, helping Exeter finish fourth in Division Four and win the club's first-ever promotion. That is the kind of return that does more than pad a record sheet, because it put him at the centre of one of the club’s formative periods.
Exeter broke their goalscoring record for him in February 1971. He left in 1973 with the club mark still attached to his name, and the record stayed with the scale of his output.
Exeter City's tribute
The club's statement was direct: "Everyone at Exeter City sends their heartfelt condolences to Alan's family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him". They also said: "Alan will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on for generations to come."
That fits the shape of the story. Banks was not just a long-serving forward, he was a record-setter whose 258 games and 101 league goals still place him among the club's defining figures. Exeter have lost a player they can point to as a benchmark, and the tribute they are planning will reflect that on the pitch and in the stands.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →