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Trust Newsletter- January/February 2025

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Update from Chair Nick Hawker
Update from Chair Nick Hawker

The January transfer window, having experienced quite a few of them now, is a challenging period.  


Club budgets for the season/year are set and agreed in or around May/June.  The season kicks off and by November, heading toward December, we have understand what will be required to strengthen the squad in January to take us through to the end of season.  


There’s a re-forecast in late November and the playing budget will change to reflect our needs, always being mindful of our desire to remain sustainable.  


This January has been challenging to say the least and our needs have changed following numerous injuries and the recall of Tristan Crama.  Both club and Trust have responded positively to this, increasing the playing budget to allow Gary greater opportunity to bring in the players that we need.  


As I write today, we have just signed off the transfer of Millenic Alli to Luton Town and have brought in, on loan, Ryan Trevitt and Alex Hartridge ahead of our game against Stevenage. I strongly believe there will be more to come.


I’d like to especially draw your attention to the transfer of Milli to Luton Town.  It is down to the skills and determination of our football recruitment and coaching team, who identify, acquire, and develop players like Milli.  


Starting with a modest fee to bring Milli to Exeter City we have now benefitted from his transfer in a way that will continue to improve our playing squad.  


As club CEO Joe Gorman said, “Part of the club’s vision is to develop players from both inside and outside the Academy. Thanks to Gary and the football staff, we are increasingly recognised as a club which develops and transitions players to higher levels, something which is again evidenced by this sale.”


“This significant sum will be reinvested back into the Club, to help fund first-team improvements, academy growth and overall club development. Selling players at the right time is a vital part of the club’s strategic long-term vision.”


Brazil Day

Earlier in January we held a celebration of our game against Brazil, played back in 1914!  It was fantastic to welcome former ECFC Chairman, Richard Pym, back to St James Park, whose grandfather travelled to South America as part of the 1914 squad.  


Together, Richard and I welcomed Ricardo Calcado from the charity Onda Solidario.  


Onda Solidario promotes social inclusion and generating opportunities in low-income communities in Brazil.  They will be joining the 6 other charities we support through the Exeter City Community Fund.  


Exeter City FC Community Fund

On the subject of the community fund, please try and support AlrightMate’s ‘Introduction to Magic' at the Turks Head (High Street, Exeter).  All the details are in the following link.


Supporter Round Table - Trust Strategy

Just recently the club held its latest Supporter Round Table event.  This is a hugely popular event that is proving immensely beneficial to both Club and Trust.  


At the latest event the Trust were able to trial a its forthcoming 3-year strategy paper.   Michael Heath also presented on Club marketing matters.  


Our thanks to everyone who gave up their time that evening and for all the feedback.   


Nottingham Forest

It was really pleasing to see that the club chose not to increase its ticket prices for the FA Cup 4th Round cup tie against Nottingham Forest.


Throughout the planning process the sole aim was to ensure that the game was available to our members and supporters, as any other game would be.


Naturally, the game is attracting huge media interest and throughout the day of our game against Leyton Orient, Mike Bushell, sports presenter for BBC Breakfast, filmed their pre-match coverage.  


They were massively interested in our ownership model and connection to the community, filming local schools on the Big Bank, at the Bowling Green pub in Blackboy Road as fans gathered for the game, and of course, interviewing fans, staff and Trustees.


I hope you all got your ticket during the Priority window and are looking forward to the game!


Current Situation

You will, no doubt, have seen our message during the week about abuse being received by Trustees and staff.  


This really isn’t tolerable.  The time and energy, given for free, by our Trustees is humbling.  They make a difference that is not always visible on match days but is hugely instrumental in the growth and progress we make as a club overall.  


Likewise, the staff at Exeter City FC have shown incredible passion and resilience as we’ve negotiated more games at St James Park so far this season, than we did the whole of last season.  


Please support them.  


Every match day preparation and execution, both at St James Park and the Clifford Hill Training Ground is dependent upon them.

We should be celebrating this commitment, not abusing it.  


We all feel the pain and frustration from our recent form.  We, the Trust, are doing everything we can to help, this includes providing financial guarantees to ensure the necessary funding is in place to achieve this season’s goals, both on the pitch and off.  


We have supported additional spending during the January transfer window and ensured funding is in place to install a recovery room at the Clifford Hill Training Ground.  


The latter is as important as the former.


Were it not for a frustratingly high-level of injuries we might not be in this position.  The recovery room will help us bring players back into contention for the 1st team faster than has previously been possible.  


Our thanks to all those who have contributed to the fund-raising effort and of course, to volunteer Elaine Davis for driving it forward.

Please continue with the incredible support you have shown over the years and likewise, believe that we are doing everything possible and appropriate to negotiate this difficult period.


The next Trust Board meeting

The next Trust Board meeting will be held on the 10th February.  This was originally planned for the 3rd but the youth team are playing at St James Park that evening.


Kindest Regards,


Nick Hawker


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