So, we’re counting down the days…in just under a month we’ll be welcoming fans back to St James Park, and what a welcome it will be.
Last season saw just four matches played in front of crowds, and whether you’re playing at Weston-super-Mare or Wembley, we know just how important a stadium full of fans is to our players. It’s going to be amazing.
Fortunately, Matt and his team have been busy signing new players, so you’ll definitely have someone to watch! Joining new signings Josh Coley and Scott Brown, are Callum Rowe, George Ray Jevani Brown, Sam Nombe and a new young Irish talent that you might have heard of, a certain Pierce Sweeney…no seriously, we wanted Pierce to stay and are pleased to be able to welcome him back. We’re not quite sure what is happening at Swindon, so watch this space.
We’ve also got our own incredible homegrown team, and what a great achievement to sign two serious young talents who have come through our Academy, Harry Lee and Sonny Cox. We’re really excited to see them perform as part of the first team squad.
It’s always been a bugbear of the fans that our best talent has gone elsewhere, sometimes before they even have a chance to make an impact for us.
But this time, a combination of the marketplace, the current circumstances and, importantly, how this club gives opportunities, was a perfect storm that meant on this occasion we’ve been able to keep these prodigious young talents. I’m sure everyone will enjoy watching the progress of these two intelligent and dedicated boys.
The pre-season games are always a great chance to see the new players, we’ve got games coming up against Taunton, Weymouth, Cardiff, Bristol City and Truro over the next few weeks. Take a look at the club website for more information www.exetercityfc.co.uk
And talking of homegrown talent, our young players are at it again; it was great to see Jack Sparkes, Josh Key and Joel Randall all named as ones to watch in the EFL Magazine’s Young League Two team of the season.
The pre-season games are always a great chance to see the new players, we had an incredibly young side start against Weston super Mare and again, I think there was '10 of our own' in the match at Tiverton on Friday.
We’ve also welcomed a new back of shirt sponsor in the form of AMIA, who have been loyal supporters of the club for many years and a back of shorts sponsor, EMS Waste services, and, no, I’m not going to go there with a pun – I’ll leave that to the social media keyboard warriors!
Our new away shirt, which was revealed to a couple of hundred fans at the new Exeter Carpetright store, has been warmly received. Matt Jay and Nigel Atangana and women’s team players Manfy Sharpe, Emily Toogood, and Phoebe Baker did a great job modelling the new kit.
Our partner charity, Exeter City Community Trust, staged its first ‘in person’ running event at the end of June, with the Exeter Half Marathon, which saw more than 370 people running along the paths of the Quay and Riverside Valley Park. They’ve also launched this year’s summer holiday clubs, with loads of activities in Exeter and Exmouth for football mad youngsters and fun multi sports for those who want to try something different.
We’ve got four big home matches at the start of the new season, with visits from Bradford City, Wycombe Wanderers, Bristol Rovers and Forest Green Rovers in the first few weeks. We’re so grateful to your support - more than 1,400 of you have bought season tickets - which is just incredible.
We can’t wait to welcome you all back safely to the stadium and hear the roar as you get behind our boys. Don’t forget, the future’s bright, the future’s red and white!

Exmouth Journal: Exeter City fans during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Exeter City and Forest Green Rovers at St James Park, Exeter on 26 December. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUKExeter City fans during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Exeter City and Forest Green Rovers at St James Park, Exeter on 26 December. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK (Image: PINNACLE PHOTO AGENCY LTD - PPAUK)