What a great time to highlight the Exeter City Academy.
At Newport County there were four Academy graduates on show on the pitch, three in the City starting line-up in Dean Moxey, Jack Sparkes, Archie Collins and two more on the City bench in Matt Jay and Ben Seymour. The fourth academy graduate was Scot Bennett, who won man of the match for the Exiles.
The STARS campaign aims to support the future stars of Exeter City Football Club, and help the academy reach even greater heights.
This week saw Academy graduates Jack Sparkes and Ben Seymour sign new contracts with the Grecians on the back of their good starts to the season.
Sparkes, 18, has played eight games for the club this season and impressed in a left-wing back role, while Seymour, 20, after winning a penalty as a substitute on his league debut was rewarded with his first start at home to Port Vale.
Speaking about the importantce of the Academy, Jack said: "We have had players that have come through that are up on the academy wall behind us,” he said. “So being given the chance is really important for us youngsters because it gives us confidence and it gives the academy confidence and if we can keep producing players then it is great for the club.
“What the fans do, with the STARS campaign, is really important for the academy and as long as we keep backing that there is no reason why we can’t keep going upwards.”
Thank you to everyone that has donated to the Trusts' STARS campaign so far, you have helped reach the current running total of £4005.
The winners of the second prize draw are Martin Sharland and Robin Durie. Martin won a pair of tickets for Saturday's match against Grimsby Town, and Robin won a collection of Trust badges, including a new one not yet released to commemorate 125 years of football at St James Park.
Speaking about the STARS campaign, Martin said: "I'm supporting STARS because I love City being a Trust owned club. The success of the Academy is crucial to the Trust model amd to everything that the club is trying to achieve.
How you can get involved
You can support the STARS campaign in a variety of ways:
- By increasing your monthly Trust contribution by a minimum of £1
- By donating a one-off £12 online (Click here to donate)
- By picking up a cash donation envelope from Reception (you can return it there)
- By putting your loose change in the collection boxes around St James Park
- By supporting our STARS activities and events throughout the season
For entry into monthly draws to win match tickets or hospitality tell us when you have donated by visiting: weownexetercityfc.co.uk/academy-donation.
For any enquiries, please call 07414 676367.