Chris Todd turned out for the Grecians almost 170 times during his four-year stay at St James Park.
He also represented the likes of Swansea City, Torquay United and Newport County for one season. The former Grecian was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia in 2008 but managed to return to play football one year later and went on to release a book titled: ‘More Than Football; In The Blood’ which helped raise money for Leukaemia and lymphoma research. His first taste of management came with Eastleigh where he spent just over one season in charge of the Hampshire club.
Todd caught up with Ben Strange to discuss his time as a Grecian and pick out a few of his Firsts, Bests and Worsts.
First...
...goal for Exeter City
I’m rolling back the years here now. I think it was in a league match. I’m sure it was towards the end of the season before we were relegated but I actually can’t remember who it was against! (Goal vs Barnet 2003 in a 3-2 win for City)
...match in a City shirt
I remember that, it was against Wrexham. Originally, I was down to be a substitute and we were working on the team shape on the pitch before the game when we turned up early, as it was a night match. Chris Curran got injured whilst doing the drill and then I was told that I’d be starting. I was really pleased having come over from Ireland and I was going to be making my debut, and we won the match. It was my first game at St James Park as well.
...memories of Tis
Tis was brilliant when he first came in. He was a young manager who had a lot of charisma about him, but he was quite a quiet man which is probably the same as he is now. He was a thinker and he never got too high or too low, and as time progressed it made you think: ‘Yes, he knows what he is doing.’ He’s done an unbelievable job with the club. He’s been backed and given time to develop and Steve Perryman has helped him along the way. Tis is a top manager who, for me, should be managing at a higher level. But you must give him credit for staying loyal to Exeter City. He’s someone I think very highly of and I hope he will go on to achieve even more, whether that’s with City or elsewhere.
Best...
...appearance in a City shirt
I don’t want to sound big headed but I’ve had quite a few! Then again, I’ve also had a few bad ones! But one game that really stands out was the play-off semi-final against Oxford United at their place. We had to dig in really deep and we defended to the max, they were a very good side who were favourites to win, and were favourites to get promoted. That’s the game that will always stick with me. It was something special.
...friend at the club
I had lots of good friends at Exeter. I suppose Billy Jones and Barry McConnell were the lads that I used to live with, we got on really well and were like the Three Musketeers at times! There were lots of good lads at the club, and when you have a bit of success, like we did in the play-offs, then it builds a good team atmosphere. We had some good times.
...Player you played with
James Coppinger, I think. He was an excellent player who could change a game in a moment when he would produce a bit of skill.
Worst...
...decision given against you
I think it was against Accrington Stanley live on Sky TV. I got taken out, it was the most horrendous challenge that I’ve ever seen, it’s that bad it’s on YouTube! It was awful, and the lad didn’t get sent off, I had to come off the field injured. It was a great opportunity to show what you could do on TV and I ended up disappointed with what happened, it was a career threatening injury, so I wasn’t very happy at all.
...game you played in
One I remember was in the FA Cup against Southport. I stood on the ball during the game and fell over on it which let their striker in and he took it and went on to score, we lost the game 1-0 and it had been my fault.
...away trip
We had a fair few, coming from Devon. Barrow was always a horrible journey! It definitely has an effect on you because it’s so long, it makes you tired. But there’s nothing you can do about it, they have the same journey in the reverse fixture. I tended to sleep on the bus a lot, I like my sleep!