Current and former City players joined by Mike Mullarkey
On Tuesday, April 18, the Exeter City Disabled Supporters Association hosted their tenth anniversary event at St James Park, with just over £800 being raised for the Reverse Rett charity.ECDSA partners Exeter Nissan and Green My Business kindly donated towards a small buffet.
The night was hosted by ECDSA vice-chair Andrew Barge, and began with a presentation of the achievements so far of ECDSA over their ten-years. The association raises funds to improve facilities for those with disabilities visiting St James Park.
This year, ECDSA wanted to give something back, and decided to use their anniversary event to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome, and to help raise vital funds for medical research conducted by Reverse Rett.
ECDSA’s first president and held this position for four years was former City midfielder Bertie Cozic who made 98 appearances for the Grecians between 2006 and 2011, and was part of the team that was promoted to League One in 2009.
Bertie’s daughter Lily-Rose has Rett Syndrome, which affects nearly every aspect of a girls life: their ability to speak, walk, eat and even breathe easily.
Nick Saunders, ECDSA chairman said: “Our 10th anniversary event was the most fitting way to celebrate our anniversary and raising just over £800 for Reverse Rett is an amazing amount and is beyond our wildest dreams and will help them massively. I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone for attending and giving so generously and to all those who helped on the night and to all the past & present city players plus our Ambassador Mike Mullarkey for giving up their time and helping to make the evening the success it turned out to be. Thank you all."
Former City players Wayne Carlisle and Bertie Cozic, were joined by current City first-team players Lee Holmes (current ECDSA president), Jordan Moore-Taylor and EFL’s Young Player of the Year Ollie Watkins, and ECDSA Ambassador Mike Mullarkey, linesman at the 2010 World Cup Final, for a Q&A session.
Topics for the Q&A included player’s football heroes, most memorable moments of their careers so far, and a discussion on the standards, and future of refereeing, and if video replays are a good idea.
The blind auction, refereed by Mike Mullarkey, proved hugely popular and included an Alan Shearer signed Blackburn Rovers Premier League winning Shirt, a George Friend signed Middlesbrough shirt and many others
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Prizes for the raffle included signed Exeter City memorabilia, bottles of wine and spirits, chocolates and many other donated items.
The night ended with a fitting tribute and presentation to chairman Nick Saunders, who is stepping down after 10 years of being chairman.
Committee member Martin Robertson explained that Nick had been the driving force behind making ECDSA the success it is today, and how he has been influential in making sure anyone can get to a matchday at St James Park.
Thanks again to all those who attended and gave so generously for such a worthy cause.