Exeter City Football Club is an
EnglishEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football club, based in
ExeterExeter is a city and district in Devon, England; it is the county town of Devon. Exeter is located approximately northeast of Plymouth, and southwest of Bristol, on the River Exe. The city has a population of 111,076 according to the 2001 Census....
, which was a member of
the Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
from 1920 to 2003, and rejoined the league for the
2008–09The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence,...
season after five seasons in the
Conference NationalConference National is the top division of the Football Conference. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. They achieved automatic promotion to League One for the
2009–10The 2009–10 season is the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League 1 and League 2 and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League. The season will finish on 2 May 2010 for the Football League Championship, and 9 May 2010 for the other...
season at the first attempt.
Exeter City was founded in 1904 and began playing on an old field used for fattening pigs, St James Park (not to be confused with the homes of
Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United Football Club is an English football club, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, they play in the Football League Championship. And are renowned for having a very good fan base...
or
Brackley TownBrackley Town F.C. are a football club based in Brackley, England, who play their home games at St. James Park. They were established in 1890. They have won the Hellenic League twice in their history...
) Exeter remains at St James Park to this day. The club is nicknamed "
The Grecians". For the 2009-10 season City's home kit is supplied by Carbrini Sportswear and it consists of red and white shirts, white shorts, and white socks.
Early history
Exeter City FC was formed from two predecessor clubs: -
Exeter UnitedExeter United were a football club from Exeter, Devon, who played between 1890 and 1904 and are one of the forerunner clubs of the modern Exeter City. In 1904, Exeter United lost 3-1 to local rivals St Sidwell's United and after the match, it was agreed that the two clubs should become one...
and
St Sidwell's United. Exeter United was a football club from Exeter, Devon, that played between 1890 and 1904. In 1904, Exeter United lost 3-1 to local rivals St Sidwell's United and after the match, it was agreed that the two clubs should become one. The new team took the name 'Exeter City' and continued to play at Exeter United's ground, St James Park, where Exeter City still play today. The team was formed from the cricket team of the same name and thus the first football team with the moniker 'United'. St Sidwell's United (which had also been known as St Sidwell's Wesleyans and St Sidwell's Old Boys) was a club that had formed from the regulars who frequented the Foresters Inn in Sidwell Street, Exeter; although the
public houseA public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises in countries and regions of British influence. Although the terms often have different connotations, there is little definitive difference between pubs, bars,...
was always known as the Drum and Monkey. The team played in St Sidwell's old colours of green and white.
On September 10 1904, Exeter City played its first ever competitive match: - a 2-1 victory at St James over 110th Battery of the
Royal ArtilleryThe Royal Artillery is the common name for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, an arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, in the East Devon League. The attendance was 600, and the winning goal scored by Sid Thomas, who was to serve the club in various capacities for 70 years. City topped the East Devon League with 11 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat in its 1st season, and transferred to the Plymouth & District League for next 3 seasons.
In 1908, Exeter City AFC became a limited company. City became a full-time professional team, and applied successfully for membership of the Southern League, replacing Tottenham Hotspur. A wooden grandstand was erected, and the club entered into a leasing arrangement over the ground.
On October 3, 1908, City got its record highest FA Cup win: - Exeter City 14
WeymouthWeymouth F.C. also known as "The Terras", are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who play in the Conference South. The Terras spent many years in the top level of non-League football before a period of decline...
0. The match was in the 1st Qualifying Round. James ("Daisy") Bell scored 6 goals, and 10 of Exeter's 14 goals came in the first half.
City changed to its current colours of red and white in 1910. This was after having had a poor start to the season (only 2 wins out of 11). City abandoned its supposedly unlucky green and white kit, and turned out for the first time in red and white striped shirts at home to
West Ham UnitedWest Ham United Football Club is an English football club based in Upton Park, London Borough of Newham, East London. They have played their home matches at the Boleyn Ground stadium since 1904....
on November 12. The result of the game was a 0-0 draw, but 5 consecutive League wins came for the club in December.
City made an historic tour of South America in 1914, during which time it played 8 matches against teams in
ArgentinaArgentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires. It is the eighth largest country in the world by land area and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations, though Mexico,...
and
BrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is a country in South America. It is the fifth largest country by geographical area, occupying nearly half of South America, the fifth most populous country, and the fourth most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean...
. The
Brazil national football teamThe Brazil national football team is the national team of Brazil and is managed by the Brazilian Football Confederation that represents Brazil in international football competitions. They are the most successful national football team in the history of the World Cup, with five championships...
is believed to have played its first ever game against City on July 27, at the Laranjeiras stadium,
Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America. The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1822 during the Portuguese colonial era, and...
, home of
Fluminense Football ClubFluminense Football Club is a sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Founded in the beginning of the 20th century as a single-sport institution, Fluminense is today an umbrella organization for several teams in more than 16 different sport activities. The most popular endeavour of Fluminense,...
. The result of the match is disputed, with some sources claiming City lost 2-0, whilst others claiming a 3-3 draw. That was the last match of the tour, which yielded 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. The only other loss was in a match that kicked off 12 hours after the players got off the boat.
Exeter City was invited by
the Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
to become founder members of the
Third DivisionFrom the 1992-93 to the 2003-04 season, the Football League Third Division was the third-highest division of The Football League and the fourth-highest division in the overall English football league system. Before that it was the third division overall, but that ended with the creation of the...
in 1920.
Exeter City Football Club is an
EnglishEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football club, based in
ExeterExeter is a city and district in Devon, England; it is the county town of Devon. Exeter is located approximately northeast of Plymouth, and southwest of Bristol, on the River Exe. The city has a population of 111,076 according to the 2001 Census....
, which was a member of
the Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
from 1920 to 2003, and rejoined the league for the
2008–09The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence,...
season after five seasons in the
Conference NationalConference National is the top division of the Football Conference. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. They achieved automatic promotion to League One for the
2009–10The 2009–10 season is the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League 1 and League 2 and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League. The season will finish on 2 May 2010 for the Football League Championship, and 9 May 2010 for the other...
season at the first attempt.
Exeter City was founded in 1904 and began playing on an old field used for fattening pigs, St James Park (not to be confused with the homes of
Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United Football Club is an English football club, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, they play in the Football League Championship. And are renowned for having a very good fan base...
or
Brackley TownBrackley Town F.C. are a football club based in Brackley, England, who play their home games at St. James Park. They were established in 1890. They have won the Hellenic League twice in their history...
) Exeter remains at St James Park to this day. The club is nicknamed "
The Grecians". For the 2009-10 season City's home kit is supplied by Carbrini Sportswear and it consists of red and white shirts, white shorts, and white socks.
Early history
Exeter City FC was formed from two predecessor clubs: -
Exeter UnitedExeter United were a football club from Exeter, Devon, who played between 1890 and 1904 and are one of the forerunner clubs of the modern Exeter City. In 1904, Exeter United lost 3-1 to local rivals St Sidwell's United and after the match, it was agreed that the two clubs should become one...
and
St Sidwell's United. Exeter United was a football club from Exeter, Devon, that played between 1890 and 1904. In 1904, Exeter United lost 3-1 to local rivals St Sidwell's United and after the match, it was agreed that the two clubs should become one. The new team took the name 'Exeter City' and continued to play at Exeter United's ground, St James Park, where Exeter City still play today. The team was formed from the cricket team of the same name and thus the first football team with the moniker 'United'. St Sidwell's United (which had also been known as St Sidwell's Wesleyans and St Sidwell's Old Boys) was a club that had formed from the regulars who frequented the Foresters Inn in Sidwell Street, Exeter; although the
public houseA public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises in countries and regions of British influence. Although the terms often have different connotations, there is little definitive difference between pubs, bars,...
was always known as the Drum and Monkey. The team played in St Sidwell's old colours of green and white.
On September 10 1904, Exeter City played its first ever competitive match: - a 2-1 victory at St James over 110th Battery of the
Royal ArtilleryThe Royal Artillery is the common name for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, an arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, in the East Devon League. The attendance was 600, and the winning goal scored by Sid Thomas, who was to serve the club in various capacities for 70 years. City topped the East Devon League with 11 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat in its 1st season, and transferred to the Plymouth & District League for next 3 seasons.
In 1908, Exeter City AFC became a limited company. City became a full-time professional team, and applied successfully for membership of the Southern League, replacing Tottenham Hotspur. A wooden grandstand was erected, and the club entered into a leasing arrangement over the ground.
On October 3, 1908, City got its record highest FA Cup win: - Exeter City 14
WeymouthWeymouth F.C. also known as "The Terras", are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who play in the Conference South. The Terras spent many years in the top level of non-League football before a period of decline...
0. The match was in the 1st Qualifying Round. James ("Daisy") Bell scored 6 goals, and 10 of Exeter's 14 goals came in the first half.
City changed to its current colours of red and white in 1910. This was after having had a poor start to the season (only 2 wins out of 11). City abandoned its supposedly unlucky green and white kit, and turned out for the first time in red and white striped shirts at home to
West Ham UnitedWest Ham United Football Club is an English football club based in Upton Park, London Borough of Newham, East London. They have played their home matches at the Boleyn Ground stadium since 1904....
on November 12. The result of the game was a 0-0 draw, but 5 consecutive League wins came for the club in December.
City made an historic tour of South America in 1914, during which time it played 8 matches against teams in
ArgentinaArgentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires. It is the eighth largest country in the world by land area and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations, though Mexico,...
and
BrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is a country in South America. It is the fifth largest country by geographical area, occupying nearly half of South America, the fifth most populous country, and the fourth most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean...
. The
Brazil national football teamThe Brazil national football team is the national team of Brazil and is managed by the Brazilian Football Confederation that represents Brazil in international football competitions. They are the most successful national football team in the history of the World Cup, with five championships...
is believed to have played its first ever game against City on July 27, at the Laranjeiras stadium,
Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America. The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1822 during the Portuguese colonial era, and...
, home of
Fluminense Football ClubFluminense Football Club is a sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Founded in the beginning of the 20th century as a single-sport institution, Fluminense is today an umbrella organization for several teams in more than 16 different sport activities. The most popular endeavour of Fluminense,...
. The result of the match is disputed, with some sources claiming City lost 2-0, whilst others claiming a 3-3 draw. That was the last match of the tour, which yielded 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. The only other loss was in a match that kicked off 12 hours after the players got off the boat.
Exeter City was invited by
the Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
to become founder members of the
Third DivisionFrom the 1992-93 to the 2003-04 season, the Football League Third Division was the third-highest division of The Football League and the fourth-highest division in the overall English football league system. Before that it was the third division overall, but that ended with the creation of the...
in 1920.
Exeter City Football Club is an
EnglishEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football club, based in
ExeterExeter is a city and district in Devon, England; it is the county town of Devon. Exeter is located approximately northeast of Plymouth, and southwest of Bristol, on the River Exe. The city has a population of 111,076 according to the 2001 Census....
, which was a member of
the Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
from 1920 to 2003, and rejoined the league for the
2008–09The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence,...
season after five seasons in the
Conference NationalConference National is the top division of the Football Conference. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. They achieved automatic promotion to League One for the
2009–10The 2009–10 season is the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League 1 and League 2 and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League. The season will finish on 2 May 2010 for the Football League Championship, and 9 May 2010 for the other...
season at the first attempt.
Exeter City was founded in 1904 and began playing on an old field used for fattening pigs, St James Park (not to be confused with the homes of
Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United Football Club is an English football club, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, they play in the Football League Championship. And are renowned for having a very good fan base...
or
Brackley TownBrackley Town F.C. are a football club based in Brackley, England, who play their home games at St. James Park. They were established in 1890. They have won the Hellenic League twice in their history...
) Exeter remains at St James Park to this day. The club is nicknamed "
The Grecians". For the 2009-10 season City's home kit is supplied by Carbrini Sportswear and it consists of red and white shirts, white shorts, and white socks.
Early history
Exeter City FC was formed from two predecessor clubs: -
Exeter UnitedExeter United were a football club from Exeter, Devon, who played between 1890 and 1904 and are one of the forerunner clubs of the modern Exeter City. In 1904, Exeter United lost 3-1 to local rivals St Sidwell's United and after the match, it was agreed that the two clubs should become one...
and
St Sidwell's United. Exeter United was a football club from Exeter, Devon, that played between 1890 and 1904. In 1904, Exeter United lost 3-1 to local rivals St Sidwell's United and after the match, it was agreed that the two clubs should become one. The new team took the name 'Exeter City' and continued to play at Exeter United's ground, St James Park, where Exeter City still play today. The team was formed from the cricket team of the same name and thus the first football team with the moniker 'United'. St Sidwell's United (which had also been known as St Sidwell's Wesleyans and St Sidwell's Old Boys) was a club that had formed from the regulars who frequented the Foresters Inn in Sidwell Street, Exeter; although the
public houseA public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises in countries and regions of British influence. Although the terms often have different connotations, there is little definitive difference between pubs, bars,...
was always known as the Drum and Monkey. The team played in St Sidwell's old colours of green and white.
On September 10 1904, Exeter City played its first ever competitive match: - a 2-1 victory at St James over 110th Battery of the
Royal ArtilleryThe Royal Artillery is the common name for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, an arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, in the East Devon League. The attendance was 600, and the winning goal scored by Sid Thomas, who was to serve the club in various capacities for 70 years. City topped the East Devon League with 11 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat in its 1st season, and transferred to the Plymouth & District League for next 3 seasons.
In 1908, Exeter City AFC became a limited company. City became a full-time professional team, and applied successfully for membership of the Southern League, replacing Tottenham Hotspur. A wooden grandstand was erected, and the club entered into a leasing arrangement over the ground.
On October 3, 1908, City got its record highest FA Cup win: - Exeter City 14
WeymouthWeymouth F.C. also known as "The Terras", are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who play in the Conference South. The Terras spent many years in the top level of non-League football before a period of decline...
0. The match was in the 1st Qualifying Round. James ("Daisy") Bell scored 6 goals, and 10 of Exeter's 14 goals came in the first half.
City changed to its current colours of red and white in 1910. This was after having had a poor start to the season (only 2 wins out of 11). City abandoned its supposedly unlucky green and white kit, and turned out for the first time in red and white striped shirts at home to
West Ham UnitedWest Ham United Football Club is an English football club based in Upton Park, London Borough of Newham, East London. They have played their home matches at the Boleyn Ground stadium since 1904....
on November 12. The result of the game was a 0-0 draw, but 5 consecutive League wins came for the club in December.
City made an historic tour of South America in 1914, during which time it played 8 matches against teams in
ArgentinaArgentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires. It is the eighth largest country in the world by land area and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations, though Mexico,...
and
BrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is a country in South America. It is the fifth largest country by geographical area, occupying nearly half of South America, the fifth most populous country, and the fourth most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean...
. The
Brazil national football teamThe Brazil national football team is the national team of Brazil and is managed by the Brazilian Football Confederation that represents Brazil in international football competitions. They are the most successful national football team in the history of the World Cup, with five championships...
is believed to have played its first ever game against City on July 27, at the Laranjeiras stadium,
Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America. The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1822 during the Portuguese colonial era, and...
, home of
Fluminense Football ClubFluminense Football Club is a sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Founded in the beginning of the 20th century as a single-sport institution, Fluminense is today an umbrella organization for several teams in more than 16 different sport activities. The most popular endeavour of Fluminense,...
. The result of the match is disputed, with some sources claiming City lost 2-0, whilst others claiming a 3-3 draw. That was the last match of the tour, which yielded 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. The only other loss was in a match that kicked off 12 hours after the players got off the boat.
Exeter City was invited by
the Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
to become founder members of the
Third DivisionFrom the 1992-93 to the 2003-04 season, the Football League Third Division was the third-highest division of The Football League and the fourth-highest division in the overall English football league system. Before that it was the third division overall, but that ended with the creation of the...
in 1920.
Football League (1920-2003)
City's historic first match in the Football League took place on Saturday 28 August 1920, when
BrentfordBrentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
was the visiting team to St James Park. Exeter won 3-0.
In 1931, City reached the sixth round of the
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
, losing a replay 4-2 to
SunderlandSunderland Association Football Club are a professional association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, that compete in the Premier League. Since their formation in 1879, they have won six First Division titles—in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913, and 1936 Sunderland Association...
in front of its largest ever home gate. Fifty years later, City reached the sixth round again, but lost 2-0 to eventual winners
Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur Football Club, , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English professional football club based in Tottenham, North London which currently plays in the Premier League...
. Earlier Exeter had beaten Newcastle United 4-0 having beaten Leicester City in the previous round.
City's only major trophy was the Fourth Division Championship which it won in 1990. In that season, City won 20 league games at St James Park, and remained undefeated in 31 home matches, including dramatic draws against in the FA Cup and in the
League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
4th round, both of which featured late equalisers for the visitors.
The end of the 1970s and the very early 1980s were regarded as City's most successful spell in the Third Division, including a finish of 8th in 1979-80 and an FA Cup run the following season. Star players included
Tony KellowTony Kellow was a professional footballer, most notably with Exeter City.A centre-forward, he signed for Exeter City from Falmouth Town in 1976, and was sold to Blackpool, in November 1978, for £105,000. He returned to Exeter in March 1980 for a second spell, and joined Plymouth Argyle in 1983...
,
John DelveJohn Delve is an English footballer most notable for his career with Exeter City.A central midfielder, he began his career with QPR before joining Plymouth Argyle where he spent four years...
and
David PullarDavid Pullar is an English footballer who played as a winger.Pullar began his career at Portsmouth before moving to Exeter City in 1979...
.
Following that promotion, City rarely shone at the higher level. The departure of manager Terry Cooper and key players such as Shaun Taylor, Richard Dryden, Clive Whitehead, Brian McDermott and Steve Neville left new boss Alan Ball to pick up the pieces. There were some successes under the former World Cup winner - including winning both games against local rivals Plymouth in the clubs' first derbies for a decade - but Ball left for and the returning Cooper was unable to stop Exeter avoiding relegation.
Back in the bottom division, City struggled for several seasons, with chairman Ivor Doble taking the club into administration and starting a chain of events which resulted in the sale of the club's ground for what was considered by many to be a very low sum.
In 2003, City finished 23rd in Division Three and was relegated to the
Conference NationalConference National is the top division of the Football Conference. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
- Exeter was the first club to suffer automatic relegation without finishing bottom of the league. Exeter won its last game but was still relegated as 's victory over left the Grecians one point short of safety.
Conference Era (2004-2008)
Following relegation to the Conference, the club was taken over by the Exeter City Supporters Trust. In May 2007 two of the Directors who had been in charge during season 2002-2003 were convicted of fraudulent trading at the club, John Russell receiving a prison sentence and Mike Lewis a community service sentence.
Several million pounds in debt and with no big investor in sight, the Trust kept the club going through fund-raising activities amongst rank and file supporters. Complex legal arguments with both the Inland Revenue and the football authorities meant that City's first season of non-league football was plagued by off the field uncertainty.
In 2004, a Creditors Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) was put in place to reduce the club's debts. Through the club's "Red or Dead" scheme, hundreds of fans pledged at least £500 each to fund the CVA repayments, but the
FA CupThe 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
proved to be the income boost the Grecians had needed, as City was drawn away in the third round of the FA Cup. City drew 0-0 at Old Trafford in January 2005, gaining £653,511 as City's share of receipts from the near 70,000 attendance. Further income from a televised replay - won 2-0 by United - coupled with ongoing fund-raising and unpaid work from the club's supporters helped the club to repay its debts, and the CVA was cleared in December 2005.
2004 also saw the club's centenary. In May 2004 a friendly fixture was arranged against a Brazilian masters team at St James Park, a celebration of City's South American tour of 1914. The Brazilian team, containing such notable players as
CarecaAntônio de Oliveira Filho known commonly as Careca is a former football player. During his career Careca played for several clubs, he is most famous for his time with Italian side Napoli and also his contributions to the Brazilian national football team.-Club career:Careca began his footballing...
and
DungaCarlos Caetano Bledorn Verri , commonly known as Dunga, is a Brazilian former football defensive midfielder, of Italian and German descent, and a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup. He is now national coach of the Brazilian national team. Dunga's nickname is Portuguese for "Dopey," one...
, won 1–0.
City's first team finished the 2006–07 season in fifth place, qualifying for the play-offs. After beating on penalties in the semi-final City met at
WembleyThe original Wembley Stadium was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007.-History:...
in the
finalThe 2006-07 Conference National Playoff Final took place on 20 May 2007 and was contested between Morecambe and Exeter City. It was held at Wembley Stadium. The attendance of 40,043 was the largest for a Conference National final, 30,000 of which were supporting Exeter.-Match details:...
, where it lost 2–1 despite taking an early lead. Exeter reached the play-off final in the following season, this time Exeter looked to be heading out of the play-offs after losing the first leg of the semi final at home to local rivals 2-1 but came back to win the second leg 4-1 with 3 goals in the last 20 minutes. In the final Exeter met in front of a Conference play-off record crowd of 42,511, winning 1-0 with a goal from Rob Edwards, earning promotion to
League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
League Two (2008-2009)
The club followed on from its success in the Conference by finishing as runners up to in
League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
with a goal from
Richard LoganRichard Logan is a professional footballer with Football League One side Exeter City.Logan, a striker, began his career as a trainee with Championship side Ipswich Town...
helping Exeter to win promotion to
League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
with a 1-0 win away to on the last day of the season.
The club remains owned and run by its fans, through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.
Nickname
The club is
nicknameA nickname is a descriptive name given in place of or in addition to the official name of a person, place or thing. It can also be the familiar or truncated form of the proper name, which may sometimes be used simply for convenience A nickname (also spelled "nick name") is a descriptive name...
d
The Grecians. This name has a disputed history, with many theories being proposed for its origin. No-one is sure of the definitive answer to why but one source suggests that the club voted for the name in 1908 because of its association with
St SidwellsSt Sidwells is an area east of Exeter city centre in the ward of Newtown. Formerly a village in its own right, St Sidwells grew in importance along with Exeter thanks to its location on the main cart track between Exeter and the high ground of Stoke Hill and the rich farmland of East Devon.The...
parishA parish is a territorial unit that was usually historically served by a local church. This administrative unit is typically found in Roman Catholic, Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Church of Sweden, United Methodist, and Presbyterian churches...
. People living in the parish of St Sidwells in Exeter have been known as "Greeks" or "Grecians" for many centuries. This is possibly due to the parish's location outside the city walls. In
HomerHomer is a legendary ancient Greek epic poet, traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey...
's epic poem
IliadThe Iliad is an epic poem recounting significant events during a portion of the final year of the Trojan War — the Greek siege of the city of Ilion — hence the title...
the Greek forces laid siege to the walls of
TroyTroy is a legendary city and center of the Trojan War, as described in the Epic Cycle and especially in the Iliad, one of the two epic poems attributed to Homer...
. The association possibly arose because of rivalries between city boys and St Sidwellians during the annual beating the bounds. It has also been suggested that there was a group of children in St Sidwells who were referred to as the 'Greasy Un's' and another possible, but unlikely source for the name was from clock that hung outside a jeweller's shop in Sidwell Street, close to the ground, which had the word 'Grecians' engraved or painted on the face.
A further possible source for the name is that it is a corruption of
Caerwysg, the Welsh word for Exeter (similar to the Cornish word Karesk). Citizens would have been called
Caer Iscuns which became Grecians.
Famous players, managers and fans
Famous players who have played for Exeter City include
Cliff BastinClifford Sydney Bastin was an English football player.Born in Heavitree near Exeter, Bastin started his career at Exeter City, making his debut for the club in 1928, at the age of 16...
, who went on to play for
Arsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club are an English professional football club based in Holloway, North London...
and England and goalkeeper
Dick PymRichard Henry Pym was a football player best known for being the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper at the first ever FA Cup final to be played at Wembley Stadium in 1923.The game, known as the White Horse Final because of the presence of a mounted white police horse at the helm of the...
, who went on to play for
Bolton Wanderers F.C.Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football club based in Horwich, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. They are currently in the Premier League....
and England. Other club legends included prolific 1930s striker Fred Whitlow, Arnold Mitchell, who played 495 games for City,
Tony KellowTony Kellow was a professional footballer, most notably with Exeter City.A centre-forward, he signed for Exeter City from Falmouth Town in 1976, and was sold to Blackpool, in November 1978, for £105,000. He returned to Exeter in March 1980 for a second spell, and joined Plymouth Argyle in 1983...
, City's record goalscorer, Ian Main, the gifted goalkeeper from the club's most successful years who died very young, Fred Binney and
Darren RowbothamDarren Rowbotham is a Welsh footballer who played as a forward, making more than 450 appearances in the Football League.-Career:...
in the 1980s and early 90s. Former England winger
Lee SharpeLee Stuart Sharpe is a retired English football player. Predominantly a left winger, Sharpe once played for Manchester United and was a promising young player in English football, but his career went into rapid decline while he was still in his twenties.Sharpe finally retired from professional...
played four games for Exeter at the beginning of their 2002-03 Division Three campaign, scoring two goals.
After managing the club to a famous F.A. Cup Third Round draw at Old Trafford with Manchester United in 2005,
Alex InglethorpeAlexander Matthew "Alex" Inglethorpe is an English former footballer, who played for Watford, Leyton Orient, Exeter City and Barnet. He is now youth coach at Tottenham Hotspur.-Playing career:...
left the club in June 2006 and
Paul TisdalePaul Robert Tisdale is an ex-professional footballer, and the current player-manager of Exeter City.-Southampton:...
was appointed. Past managers include the former England internationals
Gerry FrancisGerald Charles James Francis , is an English former footballer and manager, now working as First Team coach at Stoke City.-Playing career:...
,
Terry CooperTerence "Terry" Cooper is an English former football player and manager born in Knottingley, Yorkshire, England. He was a classy and highly-rated full back in the great Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s....
and the late
Alan BallAlan James Ball, Jr., MBE was an English professional footballer and football club manager. He was the youngest member of England's 1966 World Cup winning team and was made Man of the Match in the final following his performance...
. A moving tribute to Alan Ball was held at St James Park before City's Conference game against Southport, when Ball's name was again sung in Devon four days after his death.
In
a surveyThe PFA Fans' Favourites is a list of football players produced as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the Professional Footballers' Association in 2007. There is one entry for each Football League club's favourite player...
published by the
Professional Footballers' AssociationThe Professional Footballers' Association is the association for professional footballers in the United Kingdom. It is the world's oldest professional sportsman's association and has 4,000 members.-Association Footballers' Union :...
in December 2007,
Alan BanksAlan Banks is a retired English professional footballer who played for Liverpool, Cambridge City, Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle and Poole Town.-External links:*...
was listed as the all-time favourite player amongst Exeter City fans.
In May 2009
Paul TisdalePaul Robert Tisdale is an ex-professional footballer, and the current player-manager of Exeter City.-Southampton:...
became Exeter's most successful manager by winning back-to-back promotions.
Honours
- FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
- Quarter-finalists - 1930-31, 1980-81
- Football League Third Division South
The Football League Third Division South was a level of English professional football which ran in parallel to Third Division North from 1921 to 1958....
- Runners-up - 1932-33 (Exeter's highest league position finish in history)
- Football League Third Division South Cup
The Football League Third Division South Cup was a knockout competition open to teams competing in Division 3 of The Football League. The competition was first held in 1934 and ran until league football was suspended during World War II...
- Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy is the generic name of an association football competition for clubs in the two lower divisions of The Football League and, in some seasons, the leading sides in the Conference National...
- Southern Section Finalists - 1992-93, 1999-2000
- Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the FA Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
/ Football League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
- Champions - 1989-90
- Runners-up - 1976-77, 2008-09
- 4th Place, Promoted - 1963-64
- Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
- Play-off Winners - 2007-08
- Play-off Finalists - 2006-07
- FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
- FA Devon St. Lukes Challenge Bowl (Incomplete)
- Champions - 1953-54, 1954-55 (Shared), 1958-59, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1973-74, 1996-97, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2008-09
- Runners-up - 1936-37, 1945-46, 1957-58, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1997-98, 2006-07
Records
- Largest league victory
- 8–1 v. Coventry City
Coventry City Football Club , otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are an association football club based in Coventry, England. Coventry City were founding members of the Premier League in 1992....
, 1926
- 8–1 v. Aldershot
Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club which went out of business in 1992. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable of the town name and the military links to Aldershot...
, 1935 (the score was 0-0 against Aldershot at half-time!).
- Largest FA Cup victory - 9–1 v. Aberdare Athletic
Aberdare Athletic Football Club were a Welsh football team founded in 1892 and based in Aberdare. They joined the Football League in 1921 but were replaced by Torquay United after failing to be re-elected in 1927.-History:...
, 1927.
- Largest league defeat
- 0–9 vs. Notts County
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest professional football league club in the world, having been formed in 1862...
, 1948
- 0–9 vs. Northampton Town
Northampton Town Football Club is a football club based in Northampton. The nickname of the club is The Cobblers. In the 2008-09 season they played in Football League One, the third level of English football, after promotion in 2005-06, but were relegated to Football League Two on the final day of...
, 1958.
- Record home attendance - 20,984 vs. Sunderland
Sunderland Association Football Club are a professional association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, that compete in the Premier League. Since their formation in 1879, they have won six First Division titles—in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913, and 1936 Sunderland Association...
, FA Cup Sixth Round Replay, 1931.
- Record away attendance - 67,551 vs. Manchester United
Manchester United Football Club is an English football club, one of the most popular football clubs in the world, based at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester. The club was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, and has played in the top division of English football since 1938, with the...
at Old Trafford, FA Cup Third Round, 2005
Managers
>
| Tenure |
Manager |
Notes |
| 1908 - 1922 |
England Arthur ChadwickArthur Chadwick was a professional footballer whose playing career included spells at Portsmouth and Southampton, before going on to be manager at Exeter City, Reading and Southampton. He also made two appearances for England in 1900.His cousin, Edgar Chadwick also played for England as well as...
|
|
| 1923 - 1927 |
England Fred Mavin |
|
| 1928 - 1929 |
England Dave Wilson |
|
| 1929 - 1935 |
England Billy McDevitt |
|
| 1935 - 1939 |
England Jack English John 'Jack' English was an English footballer and manager who played for Hebburn Argyle, Preston, Watford and Sheffield United. He played as a Left Back and was judged to be the finest in the League in 1915.....
|
|
| 1945 - 1952 |
England George Roughton |
|
| 1952 - 1953 |
England Norman Kirkman |
|
| 1953 - 1957 |
England Norman Dodgin Norman Dodgin was an English footballer who played between 1947 and 1955. His predominant position was at defence....
|
|
| 1957 - 1958 |
England Bill Thompson Bill Thompson was an association football player.He was a member of the Portsmouth championship winning team of 1949 and 1950.Bill's most famous contribution to the history of Portsmouth Football Club was the two goals he scored on the final day of the 1950 season to allow Pompey to win the title....
|
|
| 1958 - 1960 |
England Frank Broome Frank Broome was an English professional footballer and manager....
|
|
| 1960 - 1962 |
England Glen Wilson |
|
|
| Tenure |
Manager |
Notes |
| 1962 - 1963 |
England Cyril Spiers Cyril Henry Spiers was an English association football goalkeeper who played for Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur and later went on to manage at Football League clubs for twenty years.-Career:...
|
|
| 1963 - 1965 |
Wales Jack Edwards William John Edwards is a Welsh former professional footballer and football manager. In his playing career he was a full-back.-Playing career:...
|
|
| 1965 - 1966 |
England Ellis Stuttard |
|
| 1966 - 1967 |
England Jack Basford |
|
| 1967 - 1969 |
England Frank Broome Frank Broome was an English professional footballer and manager....
|
Second tenure |
| 1969 - 1976 |
England Johnny NewmanJohnny Newman is an English former footballer and manager. Newman played as a central defender, beginning his career with Birmingham City in 1951 where he won the Second Division and was on the losing side in a FA Cup final. He moved on to Leicester City and then to Plymouth Argyle, for whom he...
|
|
| 1977 - 1979 |
England Bobby Saxton Robert "Bobby" Saxton is an English former footballer, manager and coach, now working as a scout for Newcastle United.-Biography:...
|
|
| 1979 - 1983 |
Wales Brian Godfrey Brian Cameron Godfrey is a former Wales international footballer.Brian was an inside forward who started his league career at Everton where he only made one appearance before joining Scunthorpe United in June 1960...
|
|
| 1983 - 1984 |
England Gerry Francis Gerald Charles James Francis , is an English former footballer and manager, now working as First Team coach at Stoke City.-Playing career:...
|
|
| 1984 - 1985 |
England Jim Iley Jim Iley is a former football player.He played as a midfielder and was brought to Newcastle United from Nottingham Forest, as manager Joe Harvey tried to rebuild the side to earn promotion to the old Division One.Iley helped Newcastle to seventh and eighth place finishes in successive seasons,...
|
|
| 1985 - 1987 |
England Colin AppletonColin Appleton is a former footballer who played as a wing-half. Appleton played over 300 games for Leicester City during a 12 year period, later playing for Charlton Athletic and Barrow, before joining Scarborough as player-manager. He went on to manage Hull, Swansea and Exeter City...
|
|
|
| Tenure |
Manager |
Notes |
| 1988 - 1991 |
England Terry CooperTerence "Terry" Cooper is an English former football player and manager born in Knottingley, Yorkshire, England. He was a classy and highly-rated full back in the great Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s....
|
|
| 1991 - 1994 |
England Alan BallAlan James Ball, Jr., MBE was an English professional footballer and football club manager. He was the youngest member of England's 1966 World Cup winning team and was made Man of the Match in the final following his performance...
|
|
| 1994 - 1995 |
England Terry CooperTerence "Terry" Cooper is an English former football player and manager born in Knottingley, Yorkshire, England. He was a classy and highly-rated full back in the great Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s....
|
Second tenure |
| 1995 - 2000 |
England Peter Fox Peter Fox is an English former footballer, now working as a goalkeeper coach at Blackpool.-Playing career:Fox played as a goalkeeper, and began his career with Sheffield Wednesday, making his debut aged just 15 years 8 months, a club record...
|
|
| 2000 - 2001 |
England Noel Blake Noel Blake is a retired footballer. He played in the Football League for Aston Villa, Shrewsbury Town, Birmingham City, Portsmouth, Leeds United, Stoke City, Bradford City and Exeter City, and in the Scottish Football League for Dundee.He became Exeter's player-manager in 2000, but left in 2001...
|
|
| 2001 - 2002 |
Wales John Cornforth John Cornforth is a former Wales international football player and is now a coach, most recently Head Coach at English League Two side Torquay United F.C...
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|
| 2002 - 2003 |
Scotland Neil McNab Neil McNab is a former Scottish footballer who played in the midfield position.-Playing career:McNab began his career in 1972 with Greenock Morton where he made 14 appearances before 1974, becoming the club’s youngest ever professional. He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur and became their youngest...
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|
| 2003 - 2003 |
England Gary Peters Gary David Peters is an English former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently unattached to a club after departing as manager of Shrewsbury Town by mutual consent.-Playing career:...
|
|
| 2003 - 2004 |
Ireland Eamonn Dolan Eamonn Dolan is an Irish-English ex-professional footballer, now working as a coach. Dolan played as a striker, beginning his career with West Ham, before moving on to Birmingham City and then Exeter City...
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|
| 2004 - 2006 |
England Alex Inglethorpe Alexander Matthew "Alex" Inglethorpe is an English former footballer, who played for Watford, Leyton Orient, Exeter City and Barnet. He is now youth coach at Tottenham Hotspur.-Playing career:...
|
|
| 2006 - Present |
England Paul Tisdale Paul Robert Tisdale is an ex-professional footballer, and the current player-manager of Exeter City.-Southampton:...
|
|
|
Current squad
Out on loan
Rivalry
Traditionally, Exeter City's greatest rival is
Plymouth ArgylePlymouth Argyle Football Club , commonly known as Argyle, or the Pilgrims, is an English professional football club and is one of only two clubs in the Football League to play in a principally green home strip...
, although it also has a friendly rivalry with local League Two side
Torquay UnitedTorquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, is an English association football club based in the seaside resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009. The return...
.
Exeter City's last competitive game against Plymouth Argyle was held in 2002 at Home Park in a Division 3 fixture that Exeter City lost 3-0. The difference in leagues between the two clubs is now less than it has been in recent years (Argyle are currently only one division above Exeter)
Exeter City's last competitive games against Torquay United were in the Conference play-off semi-finals. The first leg was held on Thursday 1 May 2008; Exeter lost to Torquay 2-1 at St James Park in front of over 8,200 fans. However, on Monday 5 May 2008 in the return leg at Plainmoor, Exeter beat Torquay 4-1 to clinch a 5-3 aggregate win for a place in the Conference National final for the second year in succession.
External links