- Founded: 1901
- Nicknames: The Grecians
- Honours: League 2 (1989-90)
- Home Kit: JOMA Red shirt with white strips, black shorts, black and white socks
- Away Kit: JOMA Yellow shirt with purple bottom and purple shorts and socks.
- Form: WLWWWL (5th League Two)
The Grecians started out in 1901 as St Sidwell’s United. The new club drew on players from Exeter Wesleyan United, which included old boys of St Sidwell’s School among its members. After twice winning the Exeter & District Junior League, St Sidwell’s joined the new East Devon Senior League for the 1903/04 season, taking St James Park as their home ground.
In November 1910 City wore red and white stripes for the first time, replacing the green and white first worn by St Sidwell’s United in 1901.
Unfortunately, the close-season in 2003 proved to be the most traumatic in the club’s history. Police raided the club and took the chairman, his wife and the vice-chairman for questioning. Debts were mounting and the majority shareholder asked the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust to take over the day to day running of the club.
In June 2006, manager Alex Inglethorpe departed to take over a youth coach position at Tottenham Hotspur and he was replaced at St James Park by Paul Tisdale, who was formerly with Team Bath.
Tisdale transformed the club’s fortunes in his first three seasons in charge.
After failing to agree terms on a new contract ahead of the 2018/19 season, it was decided that Paul would depart the club after 12 years of service and left having provided a number of fantastic memories for all at St James Park.
Paul Tisdale departed Exeter City with the club in good health. After 12 years, Tis, along with former director of football Steve Perryman, left the Grecians in a strong position both on and off the field.
NORTHAMPTON 0 – Doncaster 2
The Cobblers had a mountain to climb following Shaun McWilliams’ early red card, and goals from Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Wright meant the 1,000 returning home supporters were given little to cheer.
Ben Whiteman and Harry Smith exchanged long-range efforts but the game’s big moment came after only 18 minutes when McWilliams was given his marching orders for a reckless challenge on Reece James.
Doncaster proceeded to dominate possession and, while they struggled to create many clear chances, they were handed the opening goal in the 36th minute. Mark Marshall lost possession and John-Jules nipped in before dinking over Steve Arnold.
Arnold saved from James in first-half stoppage time but Rovers scored their second just short of the hour-mark through Wright, who headed in James’ cross.
John-Jules stung the palms of Arnold before the Northampton goalkeeper pulled off a fine penalty stop from Whiteman late on, but the result was never in doubt.
Cheltenham 5 – Exeter 3
Exeter took an early lead through Archie Collins’ deflected shot in the fourth minute.
But it was cancelled out within three minutes when Matty Blair’s ball was helped on by Finn Azaz and Sercombe found the top-left corner.
Alfie May put the hosts ahead for the first time in the 13th minute, slamming the ball home after Will Boyle and George Lloyd both had shots blocked in the box.
Boyle headed a Ben Tozer cross against the crossbar, but Cheltenham extended their lead deep in first-half stoppage-time.
Lloyd was tripped by Pierce Sweeney in the box and Sercombe smashed the ball home from the penalty spot to make it 3-1 at the break.
Exeter started the second half well and pulled one back in the 56th minute when Nicky Law’s low ball was touched in by Matt Jay.
But Cheltenham pulled two goals clear again in the 77th minute when Charlie Raglan nodded Chris Hussey’s corner into the middle and Andy Williams headed home his sixth league goal of the campaign.
Law set up a tense finish by capitalising on a mistake from Boyle and found the bottom-left corner with two minutes left, but Cheltenham made the points safe through Boyle’s injury-time goal from close range to round off the scoring to sit second, a point behind leaders Newport.
Report supplied by PA Media.
Exeter City 0 Northampton Town 4
Following a terrific second leg comeback to defeat Cheltenham, the Cobblers had one more match to play in the 2019/20 season, the little matter of the Sky Bet League 2 play off final against Exeter City at Wembley Stadium.
With no fans allowed to attend the fixture due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Cobblers fourth ever visit to the home of English football was undoubtedly going to be a little different to previous occasions but nevertheless a promotion and a place in Sky Bet League 1 for next season was still on the line.
Keith Curle unsurprisingly kept faith with the same starting eleven that overturned a two goal first leg deficit in the semi-finals while Exeter, who needed extra-time to overcome Colchester United in their semi-final, had three former Cobblers loanees on their bench, Lewis Ward, Lee Martin and Brennan Dickenson. Before kick-off there was a minute’s silence as both clubs paid their respects to Theo Foley.
Scott Wharton picked up an early booking for a foul on Randell Williams but the on-loan Blackburn Rovers defender recovered quickly to clear the subsequent free-kick.
It was the Cobblers who struck first though, Ryan Watson with a drilled low finish from just outside the area following a Charlie Goode long throw. Watson’s strike took a deflection to beat Jonathan Maxted who, with the Cobblers on the front foot, could only parry a Nicky Adams free-kick. Vadaine Oliver then went close with a header and Sam Hoskins saw a shot blocked at close range as Keith Curle’s side looked to press home the advantage.
The Cobblers were dealt a blow when Adams was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury but within seconds it was 2-0, Callum Morton tucking the ball home from close range after Turnbull and Wharton won headers in the box.
Maxted turned behind a header from Wharton as the Cobblers went in search of a third goal before half-time, Oliver and Goode also denied by two top saves from the Grecians keeper in first half stoppage time.
Arnold saved comfortably from Jake Taylor at the start of the second half and it wasn’t long before Exeter made a double change, Tom Parkes and Archie Collins on for Jayden Richardson and Alex Fisher.
Exeter were coming into the game a bit more but they were down to ten men just before the hour mark when referee Michael Salisbury sent off Dean Moxey for a rash challenge on Watson.
Morton had a chance to make it 3-0 after being played through by Oliver but for once the on-loan striker couldn’t find the target and he slid his shot wide of the post.
James Olayinka and Harry Smith replaced McCormack and Oliver in a double change from Curle and the Cobblers extended their lead with ten to play, Sam Hoskins supplying the finish after being played in by Mark Marshall.
The Cobblers weren’t letting up and substitute Andy Williams scored with his first touch to make it 4-0, his close range volley coming from a long throw and flick on by Smith.
It had been another terrific performance and the Cobblers for all their hard work throughout the season were rewarded with not only a fantastic win at Wembley but a promotion back into League 1.
Games won: 54
Games drawn: 34
Games lost: 30
Theo was born in Dublin and went to a school where associated football was not allowed, only Gaelic football and Hurling!!!. He starting to turn out regularly for Home Farm.
Theo went on to spend some time on trial at Burnley before moving to Exeter City who were then in Division Three South and he would go on to spend five seasons at St. James Park. In 1961 Theo asked for a transfer after getting married.
In 1961 Dave Bowen signed him for the Cobblers for a small fee. Theo Captained the Cobblers as the club rose through the divisions but when he was need the most in division one, injury took its toll. He also missed a large chunk of the following season (66-67) and was released at the end of it.
Theo made over 220 appearances for the Cobblers scorning over 11 goals and although Theo was offered a coaching job with Northampton he instead decided to continue playing joining Charlton as player coach.
In January 1970 he was promoted to assistant manager and three months later he was acting manager, being made up to team manager in the close season.
He was sacked in April 1974 just days after receiving a rose bowl from the supporters and ten days before Charlton were awarded £4,000 for being one of the highest scoring clubs.
After a spell with Dulwich Hamlet as coach and advisor he joined L.B.C. and took on broadcasting duties. After a short spell with Dartford he moved to Millwall as coach and was promoted to caretaker manager when Gordon Jago left but when George Petchley was put in as manager three weeks later, Theo resigned.
Loftus road was the next stop as he coached the Q.P.R. reserves side before returning to Millwall as assistant to George Graham. Both manager and coach moved to the Arsenal in 1986 with tremendous success.
Theo felt he wanted to become a team manager again and applied for the vacant job at his old club, Northampton, having applied for it back in 1976 and thought he had been given the job until he returned home and heard on the news it had been given to Pat Crerand.
Theo was given the job with the club back in to Division four at this time, and he built a side that was challenging for a promotion spot until the last few games when injuries struck.
The following season there was a change of board the better players were sold and the administrators sacked Theo. He joined Fulham as their youth team coach then became a coach at Southend United under Ronnie Whelan.
Theo’s final coaching position was at Tottenham where there was a strong Northampton connection. Graham Carr was Chief scout, John Alexander was secretary and Colin Calderwood who would later be a Northampton manager was also a coach & Justin Edinburgh was a player.
CARL Brook is the man in the middle for the Cobblers tonight and so far this season Hines been in charge of 11 games giving 31 yellow cards and 1 red card.
He has never been in charge off a Cobblers game before.
Matthew Lee and Daniel Flynn
Fourth Official : Michael Begley
Northampton Town travel to Exeter City on Tuesday and you can purchase a match pass to watch the game live on iFollow.A match pass for this game costs just £10 for all UK based supporters and can be purchased here.
