Return to Brazil scheme was hatched in Mercure's local flagship hotel
Exeter City’s historic return to Brazil in 2014 had its roots in an initial meeting at The Mercure Southgate Hotel some years before between the club’s official representative for Brazil , Eric de Menezes and the club. Recently Eric was in Paris on a family holiday and took the opportunity to fly in to Exeter on FLYBE to renew old acquaintances for the new year and talk about various plans for the future to develop further the ‘Grecians’ link with Brazilian football giants, Fluminense.
Naturally Eric stayed again at The Southgate and is shown here being welcomed back by Night Manager, Mark Eager. Eric commented, "the hotel has very special memories for me and will always be part of the history and story of the 2014 return to Brazil. I was made to feel very special and welcome by all the staff and it was a real ‘home from home’ feeling".
During his stay, Eric ran into Northampton Town and their management and players, who were also staying at the hotel prior to playing City. Given the fact that the Coblers went on to win 2-0 the next day, perhaps the Club should have taken up Eric’s offer to turn on the fire alarms that night!