Exeter City return to EFL Sky Bet League Two action at St James Park on Saturday, December 21 as the Grecians face Walsall for the first time since 2012.
City sit second in EFL Sky Bet League Two and have been in fine form at St James Park so far this season, winning six and drawing three of their ten matches so far.
Ahead of the match, Manager Matt Taylor said: "We've been pretty strong recently are are in relatively good form. Our league status has improved in terms of three league wins on the bounce.
"They (Walsall) are not in bad form themselves, they've come down from Leauge One and recruited a lot of players so we expect them to be strong."
THE CONTEXT
City come into the match on the back of three straight wins in the league, after Ryan Bowman's header earned all three points away at Salford City last weekend. The Grecians are second in the league with 39 points from 21 games so far and are just 3 points behind league leaders Swindon Town.
Walsall come into the match in 17th place with 23 points from 21 games, but have picked up eight points from their last four league matches.
TICKET NEWS
Tickets are on sale at advance prices until 5pm in person and midnight online, on Friday, December 20 so you can save time and money, and pick your seat in advance. Click here to book online.
MATCH DAY COVERAGE
As usual, we’ll have the match covered across our social media channels and we’ll have a post-match interview with manager Matt Taylor and a player as they reflect on the result. You can also tune into BBC Radio Devon to listen to commentary as well.
Over the weekend you will be able to watch short and extended highlights (extended if subscribed to iFollow) and the SJP 360 recap of the match.
LAST TIME WE MET
Exeter City 4 Walsall 2: April 21, 2012 | League One
The Grecians ran out 4-2 winners the last time the sides met. Alex Nicholls put the away side ahead on 30 minutes before Daniel Nardiello levelled things five minutes after half-time. The Saddlers would soon be back in front though, as Florent Cuvelier netted on 55 minutes. Alan Gow made the score 2-2 on 69 minutes and the Grecians were able to build on that when Gow scored again 13 minutes from time to make the score 3-2. Liam Sercombe then made sure the points were safe as he netted in the 88th minute.
MATCH SPONSORS
Our match sponsors is Metalworks Solutions, associate sponsor and ball sponsor is Warwick.
We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support and wish them a pleasant day at St James Park.
MATCH DAY PROGRAMME
Our award-winning match day programme returns this Saturday and as usual has a whole host of content for supporters of all ages. Inside we take a look back at ten of the best goals from the last decade.
Junior Grecians can take part in our quizzes and local journalists Matt Bamsey and Alan Richardson cast their eyes over the Grecians and the wider footballing world.
MASCOTS
You can read the mascot profiles in the match day programme which you can pick up in the stadium for ÂŁ3.00 on the day. For mascot booking or information, please contact andy.gillard@ecfc.co.uk.
CLUB SHOP
The club shop will be open from 10:30am and closes once supporters have left SJP, giving you the opportunity to make some purchases ahead of the match including the popular new third kit! There is a great range for all City supporters including training wear, mugs, scarves and a selection of pocked money items for kids.
MATCHDAY ACTIVITIES
As ever, football at the Park isn't just about the 90 minutes on the pitch, we've got a whole host of opportunities and experiences to make your matchday extra special.
First visit photo opportunity
Bringing anyone under-12 to their first match at SJP? We would love for them to be part of a 'first visit to SJP' pitch side photo opportunity.
If you would be interested in marking the occasion, and want to make the experience extra special, please get in touch by emailing: junior.grecians@ecfc.co.uk with their name and age so we can create a special 'first visit' certificate for them.
On a Saturday matchday, please head to the Junior Grecians Lounge in Red Square at 1:45pm, where you will be met by a member of staff and taken pitch side for a photo, certificate AND goody bag!
Please click here to view our 'First vist to SJP' guide.
Family photo opportunity
Another extra service that has really taken off is photos of away and City families in the respective dugouts. If you would like to record your visit with this 'Kodak moment; please ask at the Tombola stall at 1:50pm.
Announce the team and other activities in the Red Square Fan Zone
We will be asking a home supporter to announce the City side and a Walsall supporter to announce the away side at 2:05pm. If you would like to do this head to the Information Point before 2pm.
There will also be the Quiz, 'tell us a joke and make us laugh' and 'Play your Cards Right'.
East Devon Grecians will also be supplying a quiz sheet for a small donation to their funds. Every penny then earn is used to improve things at SJP and the Cliff Hill training Ground.
50/50 draw
Don't forget to take part the Supporters Club matchday 50/50 Draw at St James Park, with half the money going directly to the club, and half been given away to draw winners in prize money.
The team of sellers from the Supporters Club can be found in Red Square from 1:30pm and tour the stadium before the games kick off, selling draw tickets to supporters for 50p each.
FREE Face Painting
The face painters are back for the match to help you show your colours. Popular with children and seemingly as many adults, face painting will be available in Red Square from 1:30pm and subsequently around the ground. Don’t worry if you miss them pre-match they will be mobile around the ground during half-time.
Junior Grecians tickets
Junior Grecians members get access to free match tickets when purchased alongside a paying adult. There are two family friendly areas available at St James Park, section E in the IP Office Main Stand and a section of the Thatchers Big Bank which is identified by the white barriers).
Click here to find out more.
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! This Saturday lucky children will be chosen from the Stagecoach Adam Stansfield stand at 2:25pm.
After assembling, the Guard of Honour (and parents) move to the far side of ground to get some practice in waving their flags, which also presents an opportunity for Grecian to pose for photographs.
When the players finish their warm up the Guard of Honour go on their 'lap of honour' in front of the stands to the players’ tunnel. After they have been on the field and welcomed the teams and officials onto the pitch they receive their “gift” (normally a packet of sweets) and certificates of participation.
If your son, daughter or grandchild has not been involved in the Guard of Honour, please email customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.
Junior Grecians Lounge
The Junior Grecians are the Official Junior Supporters Club of Exeter City FC.
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.
A feature wall displaying a packed Big Bank also provides a photo-sharing opportunity using the #jgzone hashtag. There are activities and competitions to suit all junior age groups, from FIFA19 and Table Football tournaments to free Activity Packs for younger children.
The Zone also features a VIP party area and there are several party packages available to book throughout the season.
So, if you are visiting St James Park on a matchday with children, be sure to pop in to the family zone!
New for this season, is the Family Zone 2 in the Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand, the astroturfed area includes a photo wall opportunity, table football, and beanbags where children can gather to play games and relax before kick-off.
Stadium Tours
Did you know that the Supporters' Trust offer FREE tours around St James Park?
The free guided tours are great for anyone who’d like to get a behind the scenes view, whilst finding out about the history of their club. The tours and are open to all; you don’t have to be a Trust member to come along.
Tours start at 11am on matchdays from Red Square and take in many parts of the ground that you wouldn’t otherwise get to see, including the boardroom, the brand new players’ changing rooms, match officials’ facilities and the security hub.
Lasting around 90 minutes, you will almost certainly learn something you didn’t know before, and maybe you’ll be able to tell us something from your experiences of coming to City that we didn’t know!
To book your place, please contact reception on: reception@ecfc.co.uk or call 01392 411 243, or email: andybratt1@gmail.com.
Matchday timetable
Take a look below to familiarise yourself with the key matchday timings here at St James Park.
For the Adults
BOTTLE BAR
On the Big Bank on Saturday?
We will again have the bottle bar in the triangle kiosk, with Carlsberg plastic bottles available at half-time for just ÂŁ3.50
Make sure you visit the Centre Spot bar after the match, where pints of Thatchers, Carlesberg and Tribute and selected Ales at the FECRACE bar are just ÂŁ3.
The late kick-off sees Manchester City take on Leicester City in a 5:30pm kick-off, so why not stay at the Park and take advantage of the drinks offers.
Other Activities
Signed team sheets will be available for a donation.
You can also pick up some free player stickers, from the Ambassadors, the Information Point and the Tombola Stand.
You can also take part in the Exeter City tombola where the first prize is a signed Exeter City football. All funds raised go directly to the academy to support the future of the club. There are TWO opportunities to pull out number 25 (Jake Taylor!) and win a signed match ball.