Joe Gadston
# Joe Gadston

Joseph Edward Gadston (born 13 September 1945) is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward in the Football League, most notably for Exeter City. He later became a director of the club.

## Club career

Gadston began his career as a youth and amateur player for West Ham United, before moving to Third Division club Brentford, for whom he failed to make a first team appearance and instead played for the reserves. He had a brief spell with Corby Town before joining Southern League club Cheltenham Town for a fee of £22 and 10 shillings. Gadston is cited as one of the greatest players to play for the Robins. Gadston moved back to the Third Division to join Bristol Rovers for a £1,500 fee in 1968 and finally made his professional debut, but he only completed one season with Rovers. His most prolific spell came with Exeter City, whom he joined in November 1969, before moving to Aldershot in July 1972. After a brief loan spell with Hartlepool in February 1973, Gadston dropped back into non-League football with Wimbledon later that year. He played out the remainder of the decade in non-League football.

## Management and coaching career

Gadston had a spell as player-manager of Ruislip Manor. He subsequently served as general manager of Swanage Town & Herston and later returned to Brentford as Football in the Community Officer.

## Personal life

Gadston worked as a coach at a sports centre in Southall between 1966 and 1968. He later became a businessman and launched a company to launch and operate Exeter City's St James Park stadium. Gadston runs a holiday apartment business in Dorset and serves the community by running a youth football club and a ping pong tournament for pensioners. He taught sport at Sunninghill Preparatory School in Dorchester until July 2014.

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :

| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | Total | Total |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Bristol Rovers | 1968–69 | Third Division | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 |
| Hartlepool (loan) | 1972–73 | Fourth Division | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 5 |

## Honours

Brentford Reserves

* London Challenge Cup: 1964–65

Individual

* Cheltenham Town Player of the Year: 1967–68
