20 Questions: Exeter City

A chat with Jon from The Big Bank Theory podcast

Dec 17, 2024

Tuesday 17 December 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Exeter supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

There’s no midweek action for County this week, which isn’t a bad thing as we’ve lost our last four night games: the Wycombe thrashing, the expected loss at Birmingham, and defeats to Tranmere and Bradford in the Car Cup. To fill the void, let’s have another of our ‘20 Questions’ features. We’ve only just played them, but we’re going to learn a little bit more about Exeter City today, thanks to Jon from The Big Bank Theory podcast.

Today’s edition is sponsored by DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists. A big thank you to David.

Thanks also to Pro-Tech Print who sponsor our Exeter City content on the website.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 192.73 miles

Total steps so far: 311,804

Total raised so far: £2,192

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Exeter currently play in League One, which is the third tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?

Well, it's the best we've ever done, so it's definitely better than anything lower down. You get some absolutely massive clubs from time to time, as well as some little tiddlers!

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Exeter.

It's a city centre ground, so I cycle up, and stand behind the goal on The Big Bank – which is England's largest standing terrace that still exists. Weird, but there you go! We're a supporter-owned club, so lots of what happens always feels better (whether we win or lose) because we know it's our club, and no one's taking that away from us. There have been some dark days in the past…

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

Plymouth Argyle. They're a bigger city, and in theory a bigger club, but haven’t known any more success than us to be honest. They just generally exist one league above. And they wear horrible green colours!

What’s your best memory following Exeter?

2016-17 League Two play-off semi-finals. With a City team featuring David Wheeler, Jack Stacey and Ollie Watkins, we beat Carlisle 6-5 on aggregate with a 95th minute winner from Stacey. Absolutely glorious.

What’s your worst memory following Exeter?

Obviously relegation from the Football League (and bankruptcy) was awful, but we've been absolutely battered at Wembley in play-off finals on far too many occasions…

If Exeter City was a TV show, which one would it be?

Baywatch?!

What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?

St James Park. It’s a 120-year-old ground that's been completely updated over the past 20 years. There’s a weird gap between two stands where the railway embankment gets in the way, though.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

Lovely old club, lovely old ground.

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?

I’m afraid I never have!

What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Exeter have had?

Red and white stripes. The year of that Carlisle play-off victory we were wearing a lovely classy number. This year's Adidas shirts are very nice, though.

If Exeter were playing in the next FA Cup final, who’d be at Wembley as your celebrity fan?

We've had enough of celebrity fans. Uri Geller was once our chairman and although he seemed a decent person, he was tarred by the brush of the crooks running the club at the time.

What’s the most interesting fact about Exeter City we might not know?

See above, with the additional fact that Geller arranged for “King of Pop” Michael Jackson to come and visit and wave to the fans in order to boost funds. Still completely unbelievable, even 20-plus years later.

Who’s your all time Exeter hero?

Adam Stansfield was our striker who was diagnosed with cancer while still playing for us. He tragically died only a few months later. Our newest stand is named after him. His son Jay was in our youth setup before signing for Fulham. He came back on loan two seasons ago, and won all of our hearts. Honourable mentions to Matt Taylor, former captain and promotion-winning manager, and Ollie Watkins, our greatest ever player, no doubt!

What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Exeter’s fanbase?

Usually between 6,000 and 7,000. We're a very loyal bunch.

What’s your manager like?

Gary Caldwell’s a good guy and excellent communicator, with a penchant for safety first football. It's not currently very exciting to watch.

What’s your owner like?

We're the owners, so absolutely top notch! Julian Tagg is the club president. He steered us through very rough waters to the very solid base we now sit on. He deserves an awful lot of credit.

What’s it like for a night out in Exeter?

It’s not the biggest city, but there’s lots of excellent little places.

What’s the best thing about being an Exeter fan?

Our club is owned by the supporters, so we know it’s safe in the current uncertain world of football.

What’s the worst thing about being an Exeter fan?

Obviously none of us are rich oil tycoons, so there's a limit to our achievements.

What are your hopes for this season?

Safety first, which we look like we'll just about manage. A few more goals would be nice!

➡️ Enjoyed today’s article? Click here for all of the other ‘20 Questions’ features we’ve published.

Time for a spruce up at home?

DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists are a reputable company offering specialist plastering and damp proofing services covering Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

If you’re looking to have a spruce up over the winter, now’s a good time to think about external render repairs and render painting, with the photos above showing a fine transformation on a recent client’s house.

➡️ Visit dtplasteringanddampproofing.com for further details.

Personalised mugs from Pro-Tech Print

Pro-Tech Print have a great range of Christmas mugs if you’re still looking for a stocking filler or two. Their Grinch and Stitch mugs are pictured, but they can also print a variety of different characters, football teams and any personal messages you might have. All mugs are priced at £6.

➡️ For any enquiries, please call 07714 999832 or email chris@pro-techprint.co.uk.

Photo of the day

We try to be fairly topical at The Scarf My Father Wore, so with the World Darts Championship currently taking place, here’s a photo of former County player Keith Briggs standing in front of a dartboard.

Today in SK

🍺 Food and drink

Feeling festive? Get down to The Dog & Partridge (SK2) for a pint of Tom & Berry. With an exciting blend of Robinson’s Old Tom with the taste of winter berries, it’s the perfect drink to get you in the Christmas mood.

Pop in for a pint at Heaton Hops (SK4), CAMRA Pub of the Year for Stockport and South Manchester.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers till 6pm.

Cocktails are 2 for £12 at Flute & Firkin (SK12) till 7pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Nelson Tavern (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this festive season by popping in for a few drinks.