And just like that, Exeter City’s much-anticipated new season in League One has begun.

It started with a trip to Lincoln on Saturday, where we opened the scoring with a stunner from Sam Nombe, enabled by a fantastic assist from Jevani. Unfortunately, Lincoln got one back in the second half, but I think most fans are satisfied with a point on the road from our opening game.

It’s going to be an incredible season if we continue to get such great away support, a total of 579 supporters undertook the 500+ mile round trip on Saturday and they could be heard loud and proud throughout the match. Next up, we’ve got Port Vale at home on Saturday, tickets are selling fast, so we’re looking forward to seeing a packed St James Park. The bouncing Big Bank has to be one of the best sights in football, and I’m looking forward to seeing it again!

Talking of the best sights in football, what about that win for the Lionesses on Sunday? An incredible game, matched by the atmosphere in Wembley Stadium, and, those young women certainly know how to celebrate, as well as play football.

It’s done so much for women’s football and I hope this is seized on and inspires a generation to come. I’ve always been a huge advocate of women’s football and it’s been fantastic to see it growing in popularity.

Here in Exeter, we have opportunities for girls to play football from just five years old. Our partner charity, Exeter City Community Trust, has developed a dedicated centre for talent, which currently has more than 100 girls aged nine to 16, and we have the Exeter City Women, who will now be playing their games at Exwick Sports Hub, thanks to our partnership with Exeter College.

The club has contributed £25,000 to support the women’s team this season and there are also a couple of special fixtures lined up for St James Park in October and March.

Back to the men’s game, two new players became Grecians last week. Kegs Chauke, a promising young midfielder, put pen to paper to join us on a season-long loan from Southampton. And he’ll be joined by Jamal Blackman, whose 6ft 6in frame will be gracing, or should I say filling, the Exeter City goal this season. They are fantastic signings for Matt and the team and both come with a great pedigree. We’re all looking forward to seeing them both in action.

The lads had their usual mix of pre-season activity, a trip to Wales with some seriously dubious golf being played and there was even a hike from Sidmouth to Ladram Bay, which ended with a dip in the sea and some well-deserved fish and chips. Ladram Bay are great supporters of the club, so thanks to them for welcoming the squad.

This season, we welcomed new sponsors Selco Building Supplies, who have signed up to sponsor the main stand – you know: Selco, it’s where the trade go…seriously though, it is fantastic to welcome a national sponsor to our club and we’re very grateful for their support. We should also mention outgoing stand sponsors IP Office and thank them for their contribution to the club.

It’s thanks to the work of the Supporters’ Trust and our brilliant team of ambassadors led by Richard Knight, not to mention our hardworking our staff at St James Park, that we once again scored highly in the EFL Fan survey, with 95% of the survey’s respondents saying that the club provides an inclusive and enjoyable match-day experience for all supporters. There’s always room for improvement and we’ll always strive to be the best we can be for our supporters.

Finally, well done to Danny Harris, Exeter City Community Trust’s head of wellbeing and inclusion, who raised £3,000 for Cancer Research UK by running 100 miles in July. It was hot work, but a seriously brilliant achievement for a very worthwhile cause.

Don’t forget, the future’s bright, the future’s red and white. Up the City!

Exmouth Journal: Exeter City player Timothee Dieng crosses from the byline during the Skybet League One Match between Lincoln City and Exeter City at Sincil Bank, Lincoln on July 30th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUKExeter City player Timothee Dieng crosses from the byline during the Skybet League One Match between Lincoln City and Exeter City at Sincil Bank, Lincoln on July 30th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK (Image: PINNACLE PHOTOGRAPHY LTD- PHOTO AGENCY UK)