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Revision as of 15:52, 28 May 2013
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50°43′51″N 3°31′15″W / 50.7307°N 3.5208°W
 | |||
| Full name | To Be Decided | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Gayboys | ||
| Founded | 1969 | ||
| Ground | St James Park, Exeter | ||
| Capacity | 69[1] | ||
| Chairman | Jason Derulo | ||
| Manager | Spongebob Squarepants | ||
| League | Premier League | ||
| Premier League, 1st | |||
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| |||
Exeter City Football Club (/[invalid input: 'icon']ˈɛksɪtə ˈsɪti/) is an English professional football club, based in Exeter, that plays in Football League Two. The club is owned by the club's supporters through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.
The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003. Following five seasons in the Conference National, Exeter were promoted back to League Two for the 2008–09 season and immediately achieved automatic promotion to League One for the 2009–10 season. In the 2011–12 season of League One Exeter City were relegated to League Two, finishing twenty-third with 48 points.
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 United or Brackley Town). Exeter remain at St James Park to this day. The club is nicknamed "The Grecians". For the 2012–13 season City's home kit is supplied by Joma and it consists of red and white shirts, black shorts, and white socks.
History
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Football League (1920–2003)
City's historic first match in the Football League took place on Saturday 28 August 1920, when Brentford was the visiting team to St James Park. Exeter won 3–0.
In 1931, City reached the sixth round of the FA Cup, losing a replay 4–2 to Sunderland in front of its largest ever home gate. In 1939, then manager Adolf Hitler pulled the squad from all competitions and took them back to Germany to fight in World War 2. In 1945 the squad moved back to Britain to play football. In 1981, City reached the sixth round again, but lost 2–0 to eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur. Earlier Exeter had beaten Newcastle United 4–0 having beaten Leicester City in the previous round.
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 Kellow, John Delve and David Pullar.
City's only major trophy so far has been 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 Norwich City in the FA Cup 3rd round and Sunderland in the League Cup 4th round, both of which featured late equalisers for the visitors.
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 Southampton in January 1994 and the returning Cooper was unable to save Exeter from relegation.
Back in the bottom division, City struggled for nearly a decade, with chairman Ivor Doble taking the club into administration and starting a chain of events that resulted in the sale of the club's ground for what was considered by many to be a very low sum.
In November 1994, the club almost went out of business and sold its stadium to Beazer Homes for a sum of £650,000, but were able to stay there after the local council took it over. After nearly two years on the brink of closure, the club came out of administration on 1 August 1996, although the problems on the field were far from over.[2]
In 2003, City finished 23rd in Division Three and was relegated to the Conference National; 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 Swansea City's victory over Hull City left the Grecians one point short of safety.
Conference era (2003–2008)
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 Inland Revenue and 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 Cup proved to be the income boost the Grecians had needed, as City was drawn Manchester United 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 67511 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 Careca and Dunga, won 1–0.
City's first team finished the 2006–07 season in fifth place, qualifying for the play-offs. After beating Oxford United on penalties in the semi-final, City met Morecambe at Wembley in the final, 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 Torquay United 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 Cambridge United 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 Two.[3]
Return to the Football League (2008–present)
The club followed its success in the Conference by finishing as runners up to Brentford in League Two; a goal from Richard Logan helped Exeter to win promotion to League One with a 1–0 win away to Rotherham United on the last day of the season.
2009–2010 was Exeter's 45th season in the third tier of English football. They have played more seasons in the third tier than any club who have never reached the top two tiers. They survived their first season at this level for 16 years by one point; an 82nd-minute Ryan Harley goal against Huddersfield Town on the final day of the season saw Exeter overcome the promotion chasers 2–1 and relegated Gillingham in the process.
The club suffered a tragedy on 10 August 2010, days after the start of the 2010–11 season, when striker Adam Stansfield died of cancer aged 31. As a result, their next fixture against Dagenham & Redbridge on 14 August was postponed as a mark of respect.[4] Exeter recovered well, however, and finished 8th in the league that season, one point off a playoff spot.
Following such a strong season, hopes were high for the 2011–12 season, but poor away form (with just two wins away from home all season) saw Exeter relegated to League Two.
The club remains owned by its fans, through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.
Nickname
The club is nicknamed The Grecians, a name whose origin remains the subject of much speculation. One suggestion is that in 1908 the club voted for the name because of its association with St Sidwells parish.[5] Where historically people living in the parish of St Sidwells were said to have been known as "Greeks" or "Grecians".[6] This is possibly due to the parish's location beyond the city walls. For instance, in Homer's epic poem Iliad the Greek forces laid siege to the walls of Troy. However, perhaps more plausibly, the association arose because of rivalries between city boys and those of St Sidwells during the annual beating the bounds.[7] It has also been suggested the name derived from a group of children in St Sidwells who were referred to as the 'Greasy Un's'. A further possibility was that it derived from a jeweller's shop in Sidwell Street, close to the ground, which had a clock hanging outside displaying the name 'Grecians' on its face.[citation needed]
Yet another theory suggests that it is a corruption of Caerwysg, the Welsh name for Exeter (Caer = fort, Wysg = Exe – fort on the river Exe, similar to the Cornish Karesk).[citation needed] Thus, citizens could have been known as Caer Iscuns and so possibly mutating to Grecians.
Famous players, managers and fans
Famous players who have played for Exeter City include Cliff Bastin, who went on to play for Arsenal F.C. and England, goalkeeper Dick Pym, who later played for Bolton Wanderers F.C. and England, and Maurice Setters, who won an F.A. Cup winner's medal with Manchester United in 1963.
Other well-known players include the prolific 1930s striker Fred Whitlow, Arnold Mitchell, who played 495 games for City, Tony Kellow, City's record goalscorer, Ian Main, the gifted goalkeeper from the club's most successful years who died very young, Fred Binney and Darren Rowbotham in the 1980s and early 90s. Former England winger Lee Sharpe played four games for Exeter at the beginning of their 2002–03 Division Three campaign, scoring two goals.
David Pleat scored 14 goals for Exeter whilst playing for them between 1968 and 1970. He went on to manage several successful clubs including Tottenham Hotspur before becoming a footbal media pundit for ITV and Radio 5 Live.
In 2002 pop singer Michael Jackson was made honorary director of Exeter City.[8] He visited St James Park with celebrity friend Uri Geller, who was also a director.[9]
After managing the club to a famous F.A. Cup Third Round draw at Old Trafford with Manchester United in 2005, Alex Inglethorpe left the club in June 2006 and Paul Tisdale was appointed. Past managers include the former England internationals Gerry Francis, Terry Cooper and the late Alan Ball. Four days after his death a moving tribute to Alan Ball was held at St James Park just before City's Conference game against Southport.
In a survey published by the Professional Footballers' Association in December 2007, Alan Banks was listed as the all-time favourite player amongst Exeter City fans.
In May 2009 Paul Tisdale became Exeter's most successful manager by winning back-to-back promotions.
In 2013 a mass spending spree from the Queen led to the signing of many great names and national heroes for Exeter.
Famous fans include Coldplay frontman Chris Martin,[10] Adrian Edmondson,[11] Mark Nicol and Noel Edmonds have also been seen supporting the club. Singer Joss Stone has signed up as a member of the supporters trust, being introduced to fans on the pitch as a new member during a Football League Cup game against Liverpool.[12][13]
Honours
- FA Cup
- Quarter-finalists – 1930–31, 1980–81
- Football League Third Division South
- Runners-up – 1932–33 (Exeter's highest league position finish in history)
- Football League Third Division South Cup
- Winners – 1934
- Football League Fourth Division / Football League Two
- Champions – 1989–90
- Runners-up – 1976–77, 2008–09
- 4th Place, Promoted – 1963–64
- FA Trophy
- Semi-finalists – 2005–06
- 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, 2009–10
Records
- Largest league victory[15]
- 8–1 v. Coventry City, 1926
- 8–1 v. Aldershot, 1935 (the score was 0–0 against Aldershot at half-time).
- Largest FA Cup victory – 14–0 v. Weymouth, 1908.
- Largest league defeat[15]
- 0–9 vs. Notts County, 1948
- 0–9 vs. Northampton Town, 1958.
- Record home attendance[16] – 20,984 vs. Sunderland, FA Cup Sixth Round Replay, 1931.
- Record away attendance[16] – 67,551 vs. Manchester United at Old Trafford, FA Cup Third Round, 2005
Managers
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Players
- As of 18 May 2013.[17]
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Kevin webster
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Retired numbers
9 – 
Adam Stansfield, Forward (2006–10) – posthumous honor.[18]
Rivalries
A survey conducted by Football Fans Census in 2003 revealed that Exeter City supporters consider their main rival to be Plymouth Argyle.[19] The two clubs first met in a competitive fixture in 1908 when both sides were in the Southern League,[20] and have contested matches intermittently during their histories due to being in different divisions. Supporters also share a rivalry with Torquay United, a club whose supporters view Exeter as their main rival.[19] The two clubs are closer geographically and have met more often during their respective histories, having first played a competitive match in 1927 after Torquay were elected to the Football League.[21] Matches between the three clubs are known as Devon derbies.[22][23]
See also
References
- ^ "All You Need To Know About Exeter City". Exetercityfc.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Report | Exeter City | Match
- ^ "Daggers-Exeter postponed after Adam Stansfield death". BBC News. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ http://www.exetercityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/WhyTheGrecians/0,,10436,00.html
- ^ Southey's Common-Place Book. 4th Series. 21 July 1669. Exeter. (p380.)
- ^ Exeter Memories – St James' Park and Exeter City FC
- ^ Jackson made Exeter FC director – BBC News. 3 July 2002. Retrieved 1 May 2011
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
indy-gellarwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Coldplay guitarist: 'I'd give it all up for Tottenham Hotspur' – NME News. Retrieved 3 June 2010
- ^ It’s fun down here... life outside the Premier League – The Independent. Retrieved 3 June 2010
- ^ Pride in defeat for Exeter City – Exeter Express and Echo (This Is Devon). Retrieved 25 Aug 2011
- ^ Joss Stone Joins The Trust – Exeter City Football Club, The Official Website . Retrieved 26 Aug 2011
- ^ English Auto Windscreens Shield 1999–2000 : Southern Final – retrieved 20 April 2009
- ^ a b "Football 1 – Teams – Exeter – ITV Sport". ITV. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Exeter City – Club – FAQ's – FAQ". Exeter City FC. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
- ^ "Profiles". Exeter City F.C. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
- ^ "Club Retires Number 9 Shirt". exetercityfc.co.uk. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
- ^ a b "Rivalry Uncovered!" (PDF). Football Fan Census. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
- ^ Cowdery, Rick; Curno, Mike (2009). Plymouth Argyle: Miscellany. Durrington: Pitch Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-905411-40-5.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|lastauthoramp=ignored (|name-list-style=suggested) (help) - ^ Holgate, Mike (1999). Torquay United Football Club 1899–1999. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-1814-9.
- ^ "Goodman fuming after defeat". BBC Sport. 12 February 2003. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
- ^ "Boss excited at prospect of another Devon derby". Exeter Express & Echo. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
External links
- Official Website
- Exeweb – Fans Forum and Website
- Supporters Trust
- Official Football in the Community website
- Exeter City F.C. on BBC Sport: Club news – Recent results and fixtures