Ahead of our match against Lincoln City last Saturday, visitors to St James Park would have noticed the framework of the new sheltered area taking shape in Red Square but they may not have noticed another set of new additions in the form of accessible benches.
Thanks to the Cans 4 City scheme, three new benches, each made from recycled materials - including old seating from the stadium - have been designed and created to allow wheelchair accessibility for supporters.
The benches have been made from often hard-to-recycle plastics and demonstrate how collaborative circular economy modelling can work in action in support of the community.
One of the benches has been sponsored by Mike ‘Elvis’ Summers and his sons Gabriel and Herbie, in respect and recognition of Pete Eveleigh’s support of the family during Covid through his work for the Exeter City Community Trust.
Pete was present at the launch with his wife Jess and son Oliver, and was joined by Pierce Sweeney, Matt Hulland, Andy Holloway and members of the Cans 4 City team to unveil the new amenities.
Speaking at the launch, Will Barrett, the head of development for ECCT and a trustee of the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust said, “this initiative represents a number of things that our supporter owned football club is really good at across all areas, particularly creativity, community, and collaboration.
“We are hugely grateful for the work that Matt, Andy, and all the volunteers do behind the scenes to make this all possible, as well as the support and generosity shown to the club by fans such as Mike, Gabriel and Herbie.
“It was also positive to see Pete, Jess and Oliver at the stadium. Pete has played such an important role in the development of our work in the community and we were honoured to have him with us to unveil these new facilities for fellow supporters of Exeter City.”
Matt Hulland, from the Cans 4 City team and Resource Recovery Manager for Exeter City Council added, “As a club, we should all be very proud as this is totally unique, especially in football. No other club in English Football has turned their own waste into funds used to buy benches also made from their own waste! Even seats from the stands were in there, so this is very much an ECFC initiative through and through!”
This initiative is another example of the work that goes on behind the scenes at Exeter City Football Club, so it is fitting that the benches were first used on a matchday at the outset of the EFL’s annual week of action.
Should you wish to donate recyclable materials for the Cans 4 City scheme in support of initiatives such as the accessible seating, collection points are in place at St James Park all year round.