Positive start to the EFL League One season for Exeter City

We started and ended August with a couple of cracking games at SJP. I told you that the Blackpool game would be lively – and (as usual) how right I was! And then the boys did it again with a convincing win over Peterborough on Saturday.

A very vocal St James Park roared the team on in both games. In amongst this we’ve had a couple of mixed results, but nine points from our first six games feels like a good start and with new players still settling in, we’re looking ahead to the season with plenty of optimism.

That match also marked the last game for our media manager Craig. It was good to see the tables turned as he found himself grilled by Gary on social media - a taste of his own medicine after years of firing the questions at others!

We’ll miss his pre- and post-match interviews but wish him every success as he moves on to the next stage of his career.

A team of (mostly) youngsters pulled off a brilliant win against Luton Under-21s in the Premier League Cup. A dynamic dribble by Andrew Oluwabori and a very clever run and finish from Kieran Wilson made the difference.

Overall, it was a great performance from our Academy players - and just to balance things out, we even had a Dad’s Army cameo when Perks came on for Sweens. Honestly, Perks has still got it!

He may have been representing Dad’s Army, but he is still one of the fittest guys around and looked every bit the ‘youngster with experience’…

The game really highlighted the strength of our Academy. It’s exciting to see the talent coming through, knowing we’ll continue to hear the chants of ‘he’s one of our own’ ringing out loud and proud at home and away.

And speaking of “one of our own,” how about Christy Pym’s performance for Grimsby against Manchester United? I think every City fan watching felt a swell of pride. Christy joined our Academy at the age of nine, played more than 160 games for us, and to see him shine on that stage was special.

I liked his post-match interview when he admitted to mixed feelings as he is a Man U fan, I wonder how he would have felt if the game had been against us?

The Women’s team have had a mixed start – winning one, losing one and drawing one. Next is an FA Women’s League Cup clash against Southampton Under-21s at Coach Road, Newton Abbot, on September 7. It’ll be a cracking afternoon of football, so do get along if you can.

Back at SJP, the bar has had a makeover. It’s lighter, more spacious, and the beautiful wooden floor - dating back to 1908 when the building was a school - has been restored.

And before you ask, no, I wasn’t there when it was first laid… The new space will host all sorts of events over the coming months, from Super Sunday carveries to quiz nights and big match screenings.

Our partner charity, Exeter City Community Trust, is also gearing up for a new season of running events. First up is the Halloween five and ten miles events on Sunday, October 26, followed by the always-spectacular Santa Run on Sunday, December 7, which sees hundreds of Santas dashing down the High Street.

Nothing says ‘Christmas is here’ quite like that! Find out more on their website at www.exetercct.org

September is a busy one for Gary and the squad. We head to Rotherham on September 6, then it’s home against Port Vale on September 13 and Cardiff in the EFL Trophy on September 16. Next comes a trip to Stevenage on September 20 before we’re back at SJP for Huddersfield on September 27.

It’s a tough run, with some clubs boasting budgets far bigger than ours, but with your support we know the team can rise to the challenge. Get your tickets, pack the stands and let’s keep that atmosphere electric-CITY!