Express & Echo (City & East Devon Edition)
Rollercoaster ride: City’s season has been one of major highs and lows
AS we approach the final game of the season, it’s good to take time to reflect. In the – ahem – many decades I’ve been involved with Exeter City, I’m not sure I’ve seen a season with quite such extreme highs and lows.
You all know how much I like the rollercoaster analogy, but this season really has been that; although I’m pleased to say it’s more like Alton Towers’ The Smiler, than Oblivion!
The aim of the season was to achieve a higher position than last year, and with one game to go, Gary’s team has done than with a decent points total of 1 and sitting 12th in the league – two places above and five points more than last season, which, of course, may change again following Saturday’s match.
Talk about a turn around – 2024 has seen us accumulate a massive 38 points, win 11 and draw five games and go on an unbeaten run of nine games and hit the top of the league for form over the last six games.
It’s not something many people would have dreamt of a couple of months ago.
And we don’t make things easy for ourselves, that’s for sure.
Saturday’s away game against Northampton saw us down to 10 men, but what incredible resilience from the team to come back and score that late winner – in the 83rd minute – and another goal for Will Aimson, who’s had a fantastic run of games over the last few months.
It was a victory which was all that sweeter, given it was the first time we’d beaten Northampton since 2013.
The Northampton match also saw a fourth goal in eight games for Luke Harris, our young Fulham loanee, who is still only 19. He promised goals when he signed for us, and he’s living up to that promise.
The travelling Grecians, all 47 of them at Northampton, showed their support loud and proud and there was also some impressive fancy dress, including the aptly named Hel’s Angels, a shark, Mario and I think I spotted an Oompa Loompa in there somewhere.
This season has seen the final games in red and white for two of our own – Alex Hartridge and Harry Kite, both of whom have been through our Academy from the age of eight or nine and were a significant part of our promotion winning side.
It was great to see Harry’s 100th appearance celebrated and Alex take the captain’s armband for the match against Stevenage after 153 appearances for the club. They have both been incredible players for our club and we wish them well.
Talking of Academy players, it’s been great to see some of the younger players coming through, 1-year-old Jake Richards has played a couple of cracking games in the last few weeks, it was good to see Pedro Borges in action against Port Vale, and Sonny Cox has played a big part in our return to form.
Last week also saw contract extensions for two of our own – Ed James and Cheick Diabate. Goalie Shaun MacDonald also signed a contract extension – he’s a thoroughly nice guy, although I wouldn’t want to be stuck in a lift with him…
So, the team will get a well-earned few weeks off after Saturday’s match, but it’s not long until they are back to pre-season training ready to kick off the 2024-25 season on August 10.
One team who are taking it to the wire are Exeter City Women. They added another three points to their tally with a 3-0 victory over Bridgwater United and it looks like their pursuit of the league title will go down to the last day of the season when they play Bournemouth, who have been nipping at their heels for weeks, at Exwick Sports Hub on Sunday May 5. It’s a ticket only game, so make sure you get your ticket before you head to the hub.
They’ve had an outstanding season, which includes being Devon champions, retaining the title, having beaten Plymouth Women 2-1 in the Devon County Cup final last week. Congratulations to Abbie, Aaron and the whole team – let’s get it finished off in style!
Back to the men’s team and their final match of the season which is against Oxford at SJP on Saturday. It’s going to be a nailbiter for the travelling Oxford fans with the playoffs in their grasp.
And what a great occasion to see our supporters for the last time this season, with SJP a sea of red and white. It’s been a season which has seen some tough times, so I would like to say thank you to everyone who kept the faith and backed the team, it’s your support that so often makes a difference to the result on the pitch.
The game’s a sell out – so if you’re one of the lucky ones with a ticket, I’ll see you there. Up the City.