Christmas update from Exeter City

In football you’re always looking forward. Whether it’s the next game, the next transfer window, the next season…

But it’s also a useful exercise to look back sometimes, and the end of the year is surely the perfect time for that. At Exeter City, under supporter ownership, we’ve achieved amazing things in the last 20 years.

A flourishing Academy producing talented players who are at the very top of the game, a training ground to be proud of and, most importantly, a sustainable football club in a world where rich owners can bankroll teams to the tune of millions.

I think it’s something of which we should all be proud, but also keep in mind when sometimes results don’t go our way.

The last six games have seen us play the top six teams in the league, with the budgets to match - it was always going to be a challenging period and one I’m sure Gary is glad to see the back of!

It’s also been an intense period of matches with rearranged fixtures and our cup games.

We secured two home wins – a thrilling 5-3 against Barnet and 2-0 against Chesterfield to make it through to the next round of the FA Cup and next up in the competition, we’re facing Oxford United at SJP on January 11.

Back to the league, next, we have Burton Albion away on Saturday, which I know will be well supported by the travelling faithful – a big shout out to them for their support this year.

You can cover a lot of miles, at great cost, following Exeter City. But so often it’s the ‘City boys making all the noise’ and I know Gary and the team greatly value that support.

Making all the noise at the Birmingham game at SJP were 60 young players from Dawlish Town who could be heard loud and proud from their seats in the Stansfield stand.

They came along courtesy of the Tranckle brothers, who are the brains behind our sponsor Nevada Construction and head coaches at Dawlish Town to boot. It looks like they are taking care of the club and the next generation of players!

On another front we have a new commercial manager, Chris Irwin. Now, he may be an ex- rugby league player (for which we forgive him), but working alongside our new CEO, Joe Gorman, we can already see the benefits to the club from this dynamic duo.

The Exeter City Women finished their year in fine style with a hard won 1-0 victory over Lewes, which sees them move second in their league. The team should be very proud of their achievements so far this season, their first in the third tier.

They’ve also progressed to the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup which will see them host Sunderland FC at home on a date to be confirmed in the next few weeks.

Over at Exeter City Community Trust, they’ve had a busy year delivering health, wellbeing and education activities and services to people across Greater Exeter. The fantastically festive Santa Run, which took over the city centre, was a sell out. Did you spot Gary, Kev, Perks and members of the Women’s Team taking part?

The ECCT team has recently launched a consultation on plans to improve the King George V Playing Fields on Topsham Road – you can find out more on their website – www.exetercct.org

Back to the men’s team, after the away trip to the Brewers, we have Bristol Rovers at home on Boxing Day – there are less than 100 tickets available, snap yours up now, if you fancy some festive football!

That match is followed by Crawley Town on December 29, then we’re away to Wycombe on New Year’s Day and back at the Park for Bolton Wanderers on January 4.

Many thanks for all your support this year look forward to seeing you at SJP – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Up the City!