EXETER City, the homely English Second Division club in Devon, has become a haven for victims of South China's purge on overseas players during the past couple of seasons. At the last count no fewer than four former South China players were resuming or resurrecting their careers at Exeter. These include South China's 49-goal strikeforce from their championship-winning season of 1991-92 - Steve Neville and Trevor Morgan - as well as goalkeeper Allen McKnight, who left the Caroliners earlier this year. The fourth South China old boy at Exeter is winger Max Christie, who had a short spell in Hong Kong last season and is still on trial. Neville, who works for the Professional Footballers' Association as a community liaison officer, has an office at the ground; Morgan is the club's assistant manager to Terry Cooper and McKnight is playing on a non-contract basis until the end of the season. ''I was sitting in the office the other day when Trevor Morgan walked in, followed by Allen McKnight,'' Neville said. ''I thought I was dreaming and that I must have been on the ferry to Discovery Bay. ''We talk about Hong Kong quite a lot and, despite what happened, we miss much of the lifestyle over there. When I look out of the window and it's cold and raining and you think about the pool at Discovery Bay and training in the sunshine at South China . . . Hong Kong football has a lot going for it.'' Morgan is staying near Neville's home in the village of Clyst St Mary - and the deadly duo teamed up again recently for the local Sunday pub team. ''We won 6-1 and scored two each. Do you think South China are looking for a couple of experienced forwards next season?'' Neville asked.