UP for the CUP?
Saturday we welcome our old friends Barnet FC. There have been 35 meetings over the years. We have met three times in the FA Cup – many, many years ago. Well before any league encounters! First as Barnet Alston Works Athletic at Underhill in 1908 (your Grecians had just turned professional) winning 3-0. At SJP in 1924 7,950 saw a convincing 5-0 victory and 24 years later a fine 6-2 victory in a re-arranged Cup tie (fog) back in North London.
In the Fan Zone to celebrate the FA Cup at 2pm we will be culminating a 'Draw the FA Cup' competition. You can prepare your drawing or cut out and bring it to the match. Or you can do it on the day. Prizes for best design, most realistic Cup and best cut-out to wave at the game itself.
As you can see your FA Cup match day at SJP is not just about the 90 minutes of football! There is far more to Exeter City and not just on your match day.
The Weather
The Exeter weather looks extremely settled for your match day. It’s currently forecast to be dry and mild (14c). So you might need to consider a little sun screen or bringing a coat.
Regardless of the weather at your SJP, there will always be a warm welcome for you. With genuine commitment to see you spend an enjoyable match day with us. And for supporters who love a variety of great food and drink alongside fun and games, your Fan Zone is the ideal pre-match venue.
Family Locations in Stadium and tickets
The first choice for families should be Block E in the Nevada Construction stand. This will allow use of the Junior Grecian Zone. A seated overspill area for you has also been allocated in Block A in the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand.
To buy tickets, please click here.
Help Us Help You
If you encounter any that does not seem right, facilities as well as behaviour, please text “Help ECFC” immediately and anonymously to 62277.
Special Occasion?
As well as letting us know if it is your first visit please let us know if you are celebrating a special occasion. We will try and make it special for you and/or arrange a half-time birthday message. Email: customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.
First time visitors can collect their certificates to record their special day from the Academy Stall or Junior Grecian Family Zone. The shop also has a memento for you. If you would like your picture included on your certificate please email customerservice@exetercityfc.co.uk before Friday.
Travel Guide
Getting to SJP on match days (EX4 6PX – visiting fans EX4 6PU) cannot be easier for you.
Despite being in the heart of Exeter’s bustling city centre, getting to SJP on match days couldn’t be easier!
BUS: Local Stagecoach buses drop off on several streets in the local vicinity all around the stadium (York Road, Pennsylvania Road, Prince Charles Road, Union Road, Sidwell Street, Old Tiverton Road, Blackboy Road etc.).
All of Exeter’s Park & Ride services drop off in the City Centre, which is a short walk away from the stadium gates. A maximum £2 fare is still in place for all Devon local services.
Exeter Coach Station is also less than half a mile walk away, offering both regional and nationwide services.
TRAIN: St James Park boasts one of the few operating matchday station in the whole of the EFL! The station sits on the London Waterloo line out of the London & has become a match day hub with regular services running from Exeter St. David’s, Exeter Central, Exmouth, Paignton, Okehampton and Barnstaple.
Match Day timetable changes mean that trains calling at all stations from Okehampton and Barnstaple are extended to finish/return from St James Park (Exeter) station. Passengers from London Waterloo should change at Exeter Central for services to St James Park. Passengers from London Paddington, Cornwall and from Liverpool/Manchester or further north should change at Exeter St. David’s. A return fare from Exeter St. David’s costs £2.70 but is free if travelling from further afield and St James Park selected as your destination at the time of booking.
CYCLING: There are racks available at the stadium, with extra capacity on nearby Sidwell Street should these areas be full. Exeter’s cycling network is continually improving and many of the surrounding streets have dedicated cycling infrastructure.
CAR:
Sat nav: Home fans: EX4 6PX | Visiting fans: EX4 6PU
There is extremely limited parking at our stadium, with several city-centre car parks within fairly close range. There is also limited on-street parking for considerate drivers. Wherever possible, we recommend the use of public transport, Park & Ride services, or active transport (walking & cycling) to reach St James Park on matchday.
There are no major traffic delays expected.
Fan Zone Activities
The Fan Zone activity on Saturday you will be able to play “Play Your Cards Right” to win a shirt or a football – your choice. Despite shirts being won at recent matches we still have a barrel full of other prizes available.
Announcements will include away travel update, Women’s football with a Grecian and Barnet supporter announcing their respective teams around 2pm.
Your Match Day Timetable This Saturday
Tickets are available throughout the week and online on the match day (or by visit to the ticket office from 10:30am). Please note the advance discount is no longer available after midnight on Friday.
11am FREE Stadium Tour - The highly acclaimed Stadium Tour is available to supporters who have pre-booked. You can book your place on future Tours (Saturdays 11am) at the Academy Stall in the Fan Zone, in the shop or by email to stadium.tours@ecfc.co.uk.
11am – the Club Shop opens until the last customer leaves post-match. Youngsters can enter a guess the time of the first goal to win a £20 voucher (no purchase necessary).
11am - Ticket Booths will be open if you haven’t purchased your match tickets or other matches currently on sale and for collections.
11am – Bars start to open on a staggered basis beginning with the Centre Spot and Fan Zone.
12pm – Junior Grecian Family Zone is open for members. Hospitality opens for guests.
12pm – Catch Grecian the Lion and his younger sister Lexi posing for selfies starting from the Junior Grecian Zone, before moving out to the Fan Zone to welcome supporters and players and into the Stadium by noon.
12:30pm - Players are arriving and are happy to sign autographs or pose for selfies in the Fan Zone. Why not tweet your picture to #SemperFidelis or share on our other social media platforms.
1pm - Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand activities include Legends bar, TVs, history display and Red and Fed kiosk.
1:30pm – Junior Grecians Family Zone open to all. Face painting available. Your City favourites will be popping in on their way to the changing room for more selfies and a game with you on the table football or FC24.
1:30m – Familiarisation Mini Tour for first time visitors starts from the Academy Stall.
1:30pm - Subject to weather it’s the return of Play Your Cards Right. Prizes include shirt (winners in each of the last two matches) of your choice, footballs, FC24 games and t-shirts for adults. Or your chance to use the City Board for family pics which you can tweet to #SemperFidelis.
1:45pm – your volunteer run Information Point and Academy stall open in the Fan Zone. Your meet and greet Ambassador team volunteers are available for help and directions.
2pm – Magic and balloon modelling ground tour.
2pm – All turnstiles are open.
2:05pm – Teams announced by rival supporters in your Fan Zone.
2:35pm – Guard of Honour take to the field.
12:30pm - The big kick-off. Enjoy YOUR Match.
Half-time – Weather permitting half time shoot out featuring local youth teams on the Match Day Experience package.
Big Bank - temporary bar plus Red & Fed Kiosk. Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand under croft TVs (result service) kiosks and “Legends” bar.
Junior Grecian Family Zone (TVs and kiosk available) open for all Nevada Construction ticket holders.
Nevada Construction Stand – Apart from two Red and fed kiosks at the entrance/exit Club Shop, Fan Zone, Kenniford Farm Food and Centre Spot open to home supporters.
Red and Fed kiosks close after the final whistle when all customers have been satisfied.
Final Whistle – why rush away. Sky Sports results and goals in the Centre Spot. Some pints reduced in price. Your Club Shop and Ticket Booth will close when the last customer has been served.
4:51pm - Post match trains start from St James Park (Exeter) station: 16:51 to mainline St David’s and 16:52 to Exmouth.
Announce the City team
If you have the drive and feel you can get supporters cheering you can announce the City team in the Fan Zone. You can volunteer on the day or in advance by contacting customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.
Join the guard of honour
Want to be on the pitch as the players enter SJP? Then be part of the flag waving, Guard of Honour! Saturday's has two vacancies!. If your child would like to be part of the flag waving team welcoming the players and officials onto the pitch at a future game please email: customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.
It’s FREE. Children taking part not only get on the pitch but also receive a certificate of participation.
Junior Grecians Lounge
New this season is face painting to show your colours!
The room provides a safe comfortable environment for families to enjoy pre-match entertainment, such as a large screen TVs, Playstation consoles and Table Football, as well as the option to enjoy refreshments from the Zone’s very own kiosk. The family room also has a volunteer providing face painting to “show your colours. Opening exclusively for Members at noon it is available to all children/families from 1:30pm.
Grecian and Lexi
Yes! They are back for you! And no doubt up to even more capers and mayhem! Keep an eye out for Grecian and Lexi! They will be in the Junior Grecian Zone and the Fan Zone from 1pm before moving into the stadium to greet you.
Surely, no trip to SJP would be complete without a picture with our mascots Grecian and his younger sister Lexi the Lions. Keep an eye out around the Park for the mischievous pair! You can follow their antics on Twitter @Grecianlexi. Why not send them a picture for them to hang up in their Lions Den.
Club Shop
The shop runs its own match day competition for younger supporters. Predict the time of the first goal and the prize is yours.
Make your way to the Club Shop before or after the match. It is the only way to obtain your official City souvenirs and check out what’s new or any special offers. Everything for you from current and retro replica kits to pocket money items. And remember if you are a member of the Trust or Junior Grecians there is a 10% in store discount (Excl. match programmes and reduced/sale items). Click here to shop online.
Match Day Programme
Your match-day programme, the Grecian is on sale for just £1 and is a reduced sized edition. To avoid disappointment buy your copy from the various locations outside the stadium.
Programmes will also be on sale at the Red & Fed Kiosk.
Eating and Drinking Options
Apart from the hospitality and bar options locally farm sourced hot snacks are available in the Fan Zone from Kenniford Farm. For your delight they will be providing their usual farm produced pre-match fare (including chips) and will also be open at half-time for users of the Nevada Construction stand.
Inside the Stadium the kiosks have a range of food, confectionary and drinks available to you. If you are in the Navada Construction stand please remember that the JG Zone is open for all at half-time and also has a kiosk. Giving you the opportunity to catch the half time results on their big screen while you much your pasty or drink your coffee. Adults in the Main Stand can of course also watch the half-times in the Centre Spot over a quick pint and pasty.
Bars
You are spoilt for choice! The Fan Zone has its own bar area. Leading off from the Fan Zone is the Centre Spot bar which also houses the Famous Exeter City Real Ale & Cider Emporium.
On the other side of the Stadium you will find the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand under croft 'Legends' bar.
Other bars are the Trust Suite for our Hospitality Guests. The Legends Lounge for guests of our Match, Ball and Programme Sponsors. Finally the Heritage Lounge for Members. If you are in any hospitality area you are welcome to visit the cram full City Museum.
In the stadium the Big Bank has a half-time break-out bar.
Three helpful tips for parents you on your first visit:
- The stadium can be noisy – especially when City score a goal. Consider ear defenders (which will also minimise any local deviation from the King’s English);
- Make sure youngsters have an emergency contact number in case they get split up from you;
- And always check the weather before your journey so that you have appropriate clothing. The forecast for your Match Day Saturday is for a warm evening...
Soccer Sight
Headsets are readily available for you to collect from your ticket office ahead of kick-off. To book one in advance, please contact reception on 01392 411 243 or by emailing tickets@ecfc.co.uk.
Autism
To further the football club’s commitment to making matchdays inclusive to all, please remember Exeter City have some Autism packs available. Please ask at the Information Point.
Wheelchair Access Points:
Stadium Way - Gate 1 (Optimising IT Stand, Nevada Construction Stand and Big Bank)
Tracks Suzuki St James Road - Gate 5 Visiting Supporters
If you find you need a wheelchair please ask at the Information Point where an Ambassador will let you use one of our reserve chairs.
Extra Assistance? We Care
- Autism packs are available for youngsters including ear defenders – ask an Ambassador.
- Soccer Sight commentary headsets for you if you have vision restrictions – ask at the Ticket office.
- Changing Places facility available for you in the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand.
- 6 Accessible facilities.
- 4 Baby changing facilities.
Information Point
The information Point is the ideal meeting place and will have programmes and team sheets available for you. It also runs a “Bring and Buy” stall of football memorabilia to raise funds for the Academy.
Trust Queries & Membership Applications at the Home Ticket Booth
There is now a shared Trust Office in your Fan Zone Receptgion. Your Membership Secretary will be pleased to meet prospective new members who want to be a part of the Club or those who want to find out about all the work the Trust does and benefits of becoming a member.
ECFC Museum Trust
Your burgeoning Museum Room is open for FREE Stadium Tours on most match days, hospitality guests and for everyone on Wednesday afternoons. The purpose of the museum is to collect, preserve, share and celebrate the history and heritage of ECFC.
Our stadium-wide approach has produced a range of displays at every opportunity at St James Park. In the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand you will find the Hall of Fame displays and History of ECFC Timeline. The Road to Brazil in the entrance to the JG Zone (by the way the 1917 match ball is in the Museum and well worth a look), a list of every player behind Gate 3 and many other picture boards across the walls. You can ask our Ambassador Team at the entrances about the Church under the car park or other points of interest.
Feedback
We hope that you enjoy your day with us at St James Park! We would really appreciate any feedback you may have about the experience. Please either email: customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk, media@ecfc.co.uk, or message us on Twitter: @officialecfc
If you want to report any incident (facilities or behaviour): please text immediately “Help” to 62277