THE right back looked familiar. Try as I might I couldn't put a name to him, but I just knew I had seen him somewhere.

As the teams lined up for kick off my curiosity got the better of me and when I heard one of the team management shout out the player's christian name — Peter — the old grey matter began to click into gear.

Now I had only seen a photograph of this player a few days before in the Express and Echo — but it couldn't be could it? After all, I was 300 miles away from Exeter.

One of the advantages of watching non-league football is that you are able to strike up a conversation with those stood around the dug outs, so I leaned over the fence and asked one of the FC Halifax Town people who their right-back was.

Not letting on who I thought he was, the reply simply confirmed who the player was.

"That's Peter Moore. Released by Wigan at the end of last season. He played for Exeter on trial midweek you know," came the reply.

So there was my answer, it was none other than Peter Moore, who on the previous Tuesday afternoon had lined up for Exeter City reserves in their 1-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth in the Football Combination.

And just four days later he was making his debut in the Unibond League Division One North at Lancaster City, and for the newly-formed FC Halifax Town.

Had I not seen his photograph in the Express and Echo, it is doubtful whether I would have known who he was, nor about the Exeter City connection. Moore wasn't the only Grecian connection though, for lining up in midfield for Halifax was Justin Walker, who they had signed from Ilkeston Town in the summer.

Walker had been signed by City in August 2002, following his release by Lincoln City, but he only stayed at the Park for one season, scoring five goals in 39 league outings.

He then moved on to Cambridge United and York City before linking up with Ilkeston. I guess the reason why he was now playing for Halifax, was the fact that his former Ilkeston boss, the much-travelled Nigel Jemson, was their assistant player-manager.

One thing I couldn't but help think about, was how Halifax Town had slipped down the footballing ladder due their ongoing financial problems.

It doesn't seem that long ago that Exeter City were meeting them in the Football League, now they have a long climb back if they are to recreate those sort of days, and of course this is, despite its similar name, a completely new club, although they still play at The Shay.

They brought with them a large support for this level of the game — around 350 — and they were very enthusiastic at the start, however, two goals from Lancaster dampened their spirits and probably made them realise that it isn't going to be easy rekindling past glories.

Had it not been for the intervention of the Exeter City Supporters' Trust, then we too may have been watching football at a much lower level than Coca Cola League Two — possibly alongside the likes of Truro City in the Southern League.

Worse still, had it not been for the hard work of the Trust, the supporters and the sponsors, then we may not have had an Exeter City to watch at all...perish the thought.

So what of the performances of Moore and Walker?

Considering it was his first game for the club, Moore had an excellent 90 minutes, whilst Walker looked no more than average on that particular showing.

It's amazing how you come across former Grecians at venues around the country, but I must admit, I never for a moment thought I'd see Peter Moore!