Exeter City return to action at St James Park as they look to get back to winning ways when they take on Colchester United.
The Grecians go into the game following defeats to Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town which preceded a postponed fixture midweek with Macclesfield Town away from home.
On the threat that John McGreal’s side will pose on Saturday, City boss Matt Taylor said: “They played on Tuesday night and probably had a disappointing result. They’re a good team with some really good attacking players. We’re at home, we’ve got to take the game to them, we were disappointed with the way we started against Tranmere, we were slightly on the back foot and not quite where we needed to be and paid the price for that.
“We’ve got to give ourselves a chance in any game of football and hopefully we’ll do that against Colchester. It will be a good game of football with two teams who try and play the right way. They’re a team and a management group who I really respect. It’s all about the three points, I’d take an ugly win, and hopefully it’s a game where the fans can get behind us because we’ll need them.”
LAST TIME WE MET
The sides last met back in November when the Grecians took away a 1-1 draw from the JobServe Community Stadium. Sammie Szmodics fired United ahead before City levelled through Jayden Stockley.
TICKET NEWS
Tickets are on sale at advance prices until 5pm in person and midnight online, on Friday, March 15 so, why not save money and time queuing by buying in advance!
You can book online via Mobile, tablet or desktop by visiting: tickets.ecfc.co.uk or by calling: 01392 411 243 or by visiting the club shop/reception at St James Park.
Ticket prices are as follows, advance tickets are available up to the day before the match.
You can book online via Mobile, tablet or desktop by visiting: tickets.ecfc.co.uk or by calling: 01392 411 243 or by visiting the club shop/reception at St James Park.
MATCH DAY PROGRAMME
In the latest edition of The Grecian, you can read an in-depth feature with forward Matt Jay who has been in good form of late after goals against Crewe Alexandra and Lincoln City. Matt discusses how he wants to keep his place in the City team, and he recalls the earlier times when he broke into the first team. You can also read features from regular contributors, Matt Bamsey and Tony Morris. You’ll also be able to take a detailed look at
Colchester United.
BUCKET COLLECTION
There's a special collection at Saturday's match with Colchester United. It is for the RD&E Hospital’s Bramble Ward and is being led by Freddie, the seven-year-old son of City player Lee Holmes, who has been inspired to raise money for the ward after his little sister Lila fell desperately ill. Freddie will be joined at St James Park on Saturday by friends from his class at Stoke Canon Primary School.
Freddie and his sister Lila will be at the match and will be collecting for Bramble Ward at half time. This week’s collection will be split between Bramble Ward and the CITY Community Trust’s Futsal Academy, who have kindly agreed to share their collection slot, so please give generously.
MATCH DAY ACTIVITIES
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.
FREE Face Painting
The face painters are a valuable addition to matchdays and judging by the sights around the ground it is just as popular with adults as well as youngsters.
Their normal route if you want to catch them is: Starting at the Tombola Stall they head through Red Square for the Centre Spot before heading back to the family Junior Grecian Family Zone. Leaving the zone for the stadium, they start with the IP Office Main Stand and Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand before finishing on the Thatchers Big Bank.
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!
Subject to the weather, this week's Guard of Honour will assemble at 2:30pm, with lucky children from the Thatchers' Big Bank selected. Parents are both welcome AND encouraged to join in the activity.
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 and its members have exclusive use of the Zone from 12:30pm until it is available to all families at 1:30pm.
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.
Other Activities
You can also pick up some free player stickers, featuring players that have come through the Exeter City Academy on the day in Red Square.
You can also take part in the Exeter City tombola where the first prize is a signed Exeter City football is still available by finding ticket No. 901. All funds raised go directly to the academy to support the future of the club.
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 11am to give you the opportunity to make some purchases ahead of the match and will close at 5.30pm.
