If you are visiting Exeter on Saturday, it’s worth checking out the link to Exeter’s detailed guide for away fans https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/guides/away-fans-guide/
Exeter are FGR’s hosts on September 4th. The Grecians started their season slowly. A goalless draw at home to Bradford was followed by a 3-0 loss away to Leyton Orient. They then travelled to Barrow in a weather-affected game where the sides battled out a 0-0 draw in which Barrow manager, Mark Cooper, was dismissed towards the end for dissent towards a match official.
Exeter’s lack of goals in their opening 3 matches was turned around in their 4th game when they beat Bristol Rovers at home comprehensively, 4-1, having led 4-0 at the break. Last seasons top scorer, Matt Jay, scored the opening 2 goals.
Exeter’s most recent outing saw them come back from a goal down at Harrogate to draw 1-1, in spite of being a man down for over half the game (Kite dismissed for a 2nd yellow card on 43 minutes). Exeter are currently in 11th place with 6 points from 5 games.
Exeter have bolstered their attack with the signing on a season-long loan of veteran striker Padraig Amond from Newport. Rovers fans will remember Amond’s last minute winner for Newport in last seasons play-off semi-final at The New Lawn. Amond is a replacement for Ryan Bowman who scored 32 goals for Exeter in his 97 appearances before being sold to Shrewsbury Town in the summer. Last time out Exeter played a 3-4-1-2 formation with Jay sitting behind strikers Amond and Brown.
Matt Jay (number 17) leads Exeter’s scoring this season and was top scorer last season.
The 2 clubs have a number of odd connections. Mark Cooper’s dad, Terry, managed the club for 2 spells between 1988 and 1995. Alan Ball managed the club for 3 years in the 1990’s. FGR fans may remember Exeter keeper, Jonny Maxted, who had a spell with Rovers. Elliott Frear is a former Exeter City Academy graduate.
Some random facts about Exeter-
- Their home ground is St James’ Park (confusing for Newcastle United fans!) and they have played there since 1904.
- Paul Tisdale is Exeter’s longest serving manager (between 2006 and 2018). Tisdale is currently an adviser at Colchester after Bristol Rovers sacked him in February.
- Michael Jackson was made an honorary director of the club in 2002 and came to the club at the invitation of his friend and fellow club director, Uri Geller.
- Famous fans include Joss Stone, Adrian Edmondson, Noel Edmonds and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
- Exeter is owned by its fans, the Exeter City Supporters Trust having bought a majority shareholding in the club in 2003. Only Newport and AFC Wimbledon in the EFL also have fan ownership.
- A turbulent financial time for the club ended when they drew Manchester United in the FA Cup 3rd round in 2005. They drew 0-0 at St James Park before losing 2-0 in the Old Trafford replay (Rooney and Ronaldo scoring the goals). Income from these 2 games was nearly £1 million and allowed the club to virtually clear its debts.
- Nobody is really sure how they got their nickname, The Grecians.
Padraig Amond – on loan at Exeter.
One of Exeter’s former honorary directors!
