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Fans' Forum Recap - 18 November 2024

St James Park played host to the first Women's team Fans' Forum since the side came under the stewardship of the Club last night.

Executive Chair Jen Dixon, Women's Team Manager Abbie Britton, and Captain Bow Jackson spoke on the start of the season, the transition from Exeter City Community Trust to the Club and took questions from the audience.


Below is a summary of the evening. Alternatively, watch the evening back on Grecian+.


Jen speaking on her first few months at the Club after joining in the summer:

  • Main priority since July was to work really hard making sure the team were good to play.

  • First priority was arranging the dual venue with Coach Road for matches not at SJP.


Abbie speaking on training and players' work-life balance:

  • The Women's Team train late: from 8-10pm.

  • It's hard after a day's work for the girls.

  • It's difficult to manage the load and the balance.

  • We have a special group of players and staff, which helps with the difficulties.


Bow Jackson on the difference in the game from when she started:

  • The provisions weren't there when I was younger.

  • I didn't join my first "proper" team wasn't until I was 16.

  • There are a lot of girls in our team who I have coached who never fail to remind me how old I am!

  • Football has developed so much. The standard of this league now is far greater than it has ever been.


Jen Dixon on the change in culture at the Club:

  • We are working towards a shared vision.

  • The Club now has two first teams.

  • The challenges are:

    • To be a sustainable team.

    • To ensure we are part of a greater community.

  • We want to get more fans into the stadiums while ensuring women's football is a product in its own right.


Abbie Britton on future progression:

  • The next level up is a whole different level, the gap is big but we can close it.

  • It will take time and patience, but we can get there in a sustainable way.

  • We will do it the Exeter City way.


Bow Jackson on the team camaraderie:

  • We work hard and we do so because we love the Club.

  • That's the Club we have built and we wouldn't want to lose that.


Jen Dixon on working on retaining promising players:

  • We are currently in the process of setting up the contractual side for players.

  • A Year One priority is retaining current players and we have the process from the Board to progress that.


Abbie's favourite memories from her time at the Club:

  • Esme Kilburn-Thompson's double against Argyle in the Devon Cup final which moved us in the right direction

  • Zoe Watkins' equaliser against Argyle at SJP. Her peeling away in celebration is like the Aguero moment.


Jen Dixon on the future of the Women's Team's home venue:

  • With the ground grading requirements at this level, it is currently under discussion on how we can get a single venue for the Women's Team.


Abbie Britton on the support this season:

  • We have had some fantastic support across SJP, Coach Road and Exwick Sports Hub.

  • We want to thank everyone for their support and everyone who has travelled to support us this season.


Rewatch last night's Fans' Forum on Grecian+ below.


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