Grecians grapple with the ‘Big Six’

What a month this is going to be. We’ve got six games in a row against the top six in the league – and there’s some big hitters with equally big budgets in there, including the likes of Wrexham and Birmingham.

We ticked one of the six off with the game against Lincoln on Saturday. It was a match which was made more challenging for us, in that three of our players were called away on international duty.

And because Kamari Doyle was on a reserve list and was selected late, we weren’t able to call the game off as he was called up just inside the five-day notice window. Gary’s certainly made his feelings clear on that one.

But in all seriousness, it’s already, excuse the pun, a fairly uneven playing field, and things like this certainly do not help matters.

Fortunately, the team is in a different place this season and we’ve got a larger squad, so Gary was able to call on players to fill those gaps, which they did very well and, although it might not have been pretty at times, we held Lincoln to a 0-0 draw at St James Park on Saturday.

Next, we turn our attention to Wrexham away, followed by Birmingham at home, which will see the return of Jay Stansfield to SJP – the game’s looking like it will be a sell-out, with tickets selling fast (so get yours while you can).

There aren’t that many opposition players, which are well received by the SJP massive, but Jay and his family have been so special for Exeter City, that I know he will receive a very warm welcome…I’m sure I had something in my eye at the last game he played for us, when he scored that amazing hat-trick.

As a supporter-owned club we don’t have the huge financial resources of the big clubs, like Birmingham, in our league, so we have to think smart and do things a bit differently to compete with the big boys.

The most recent initiative has been a pitch-side TV screen, so players can immediately watch recordings of their training. The screen has been placed in an adapted kiosk, fondly nicknamed ‘the burger van’ – which explains now why Sweenz is always first in the queue…

There was a fantastic turnout for the Halloween Run, organised by our partner charity, Exeter City Community Trust. The running events are an important part of their activity, helping to raise funds for the huge variety of work they do supporting people across the Greater Exeter area.

Next, they are planning for the city centre Santa Run which takes place on Sunday, December 1. It’s always a brilliant family event, with people (and festive dogs) of all ages taking part. Sign up, or go along and support, you’re guaranteed a fun morning!

Exeter City Community Trust has a fantastic relationship with Exeter College, who we have recently supported with the use of the Fountain Centre at SJP, where we’re working with them to deliver sessions to their students. I was also a guest at the College’s graduation ceremony at Exeter Cathedral, when it was an honour to represent both the club and our charity.

Congratulations to the Exeter City Women, who secured another victory this weekend, this one was away against MK Dons Women, on Sunday, who they beat 6-1. They now sit a very nice fourth in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division – a fantastic achievement, having only been promoted last season.

Their next match sees them heading down the road to Argyle Women in the FA Cup, which is followed by a home match at Coach Road, Newton Abbot against Lewes FC on December 15.

As for the men, our next three home games are Birmingham on Tuesday November 26, Chesterfield in the next round of the FA Cup, on Saturday November 30, Wycombe on December 3 and Barnsley on December 14 – it’s going to be some month!

Make sure you book your ringside seat! See you at SJP – Up the City!