In normal times one of the most popular Trust initiatives is director of the day, when a Trust member, drawn at random is invited, with a guest, to join the home and visiting directors for lunch and then on to the boardroom before watching the game in the directors’ area of the IP Office stand.
Sadly, Covid restrictions mean we are unable to do this at present so instead we have launched the Trust Match Day Thank You.
Three Trust members, again drawn at random, are contacted at the beginning of the week of a home fixture, in time to include their names in the match day programme. After the match we will send our winners the programme, a limited-edition Trust 20 2020 badge, and a car sticker. A modest thank you for your continuing support.
Rest assured, Director for the Day will be back as soon as Covid restrictions allow us to do it safely, but for now we catch up with some of those supporters who we have been delighted to thank, so far.
Chris Miller has been going to the Park since 1979 and his favourite player over that time is Darren Rowbotham. His favourite game was the 1993 3-0 win at Home Park to complete the double over them. Chris is watching iFollow and thinks we’re under achieving when looking at the standard of other sides in the division. His first game was a 0-0 against Watford at home on March 10, 1979 - Watford went on to win promotion and also beat us 2-0 in the League Cup fourth round!
David Jenkin has been going to games since 1991. His favourite player in that time is also Darren Rowbotham. His favourite game was the play-off final against Cambridge at Wembley in 2008, as without that win he feels we may still be down there and everything else has flowed from that. David doesn’t watch iFollow due to work, and thinks that we are doing okay considering all the debuts over the season and would be happy with top-half/top-10.
Nick Lynne watched his first match in 1971 and his favourite player is Tony Kellow. Nick’s favourite game was the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in 2005 and his best moment as a Grecian was TAH running towards us to score at Sheffield Wed in 2011 when we won 2-1 with his solo goal; followed closely by Barnet away (2003) in the rain, which was a horrible night, but all forgotten as we scored the winner in the 12th minute of injury to win 3-2! Watching iFollow, incredibly enthusiastic still, great run of wins, and being Exeter there are always ups and downs.
Charlie Gillard is a Junior Grecian and has been going to games since 2014 and his favourite player over that time is David Wheeler, though he also likes Jake Caprice. His favourite game was the play-off semi-final home leg against Lincoln on May 17, 2018, when we won 3-1 to take us to another Wembley Final. There was a great goal from Hiram Boteng in it. He isn’t watching iFollow but watches the highlights on his phone. The team are doing okay, though we draw a lot. However, the young players are doing well.
David Francis Smith has been going to games since 1946! His favourite player in that time was John Blood and his favourite game was our Division Three South game against Cardiff in 1947; notable as Cardiff were already Champions when they visited the Park and the Exeter Supporters decorated the goal post with leeks etc to welcome them. He doesn’t watch much sport these days, getting a bit old for it now, but still remembers playing in the Band on the pitch before games in the 1940s!
Lynne Day has been going to games since 1977 and her favourite player is Peter Hatch, which makes sense as her favourite game was the popular choice of the 1981 FA Cup ties against Newcastle United. For Lynne, Peter was a good all-round player and had a great long throw, and of course he scored straight from a corner in the home game versus Newcastle! She has not been to a match for years but still keeps up to date with games and scores. Thinks Matt Taylor is doing a brilliant job and is sure Exeter will get promotion under his management.
Gail Martin has been going to games since 1965 and her favourite player over that time is also Pete Hatch. Favourite game was the Man Utd away 0-0 game. Gail has not been watching iFollow but went back to games once allowed. Feels that the games in hand are a worry but the team has been good so far.
Robert Kempster first started following City in 2003 and his favourite player over that time is Dean Moxey. Like others, his favourite game is also the draw against Man Utd in 2005. He’s also not watching on iFollow but the team has been good under the circumstances, alright so far!
Kathleen Bamsey has been going to games since 1958 and her favourite player in that time is Richard Logan. Kath’s favourite game was away at Torquay in the Conference when we won 4-1 in the Conference play-off semi-final second leg having been expected to lose. Kath is also not watching iFollow but listens to every game on the radio. The team has been very good, especially the youngsters, but also worried about games in hand!
