St James Park has plenty on offer pre-matched to keep the whole family entertained and to make sure your St James Park experience is extra special.
Back By Ever Popular Demand – It’s Magic!...Oh! And balloons
Lez the Fez will be doing his usual balloon modelling and magic at SJP on Saturday.
The consummate showman’s strolling performances will be from 1:15pm to 2:45pm and take in every area of the Match Day.
1.15pm: Starting in the Family Zone with surprise, very cleverly created Grecian and Lexi modelled balloons for the birthday children. Oh dear! That’s the surprise out of the bag already!
Next the magician will appear walking through our Fan Zone entertaining children of all ages from 1 to 101 on his way to Hospitality. In hospitality the emphasis will change to his close range table magic.
Time allowing Lez will then disappear entering the Stadium at a seat near you for his grand finale.
The Match Day
After the freak heat last Saturday the best way to describe the weather for the visit of Cheltenham Town will be normalised At 19c it will still be warm for a September afternoon. But the edge will be taken of the warmth by a noticeable northerly wind. Ideal weather for summer football!
Getting to SJP on match days
(EX4 6PX – visiting fans EX4 6PU) cannot be easier.
BUS: Local buses drop off in York Road, Pennsylvania Road, Prince Charles Road, Union Road, Sidwell Street , Old Tiverton Road and Pinhoe Road. Literally all around the stadium. Maximum fare £2 single journey.
RAIL: There are extra match day train services from mainline St David’s to St James Park (Exeter) station. Picking up passenger onto the services from Paignton, Okehampton and North Devon.
Save money by booking your journey through to St James Park (Exeter) station. If not the return fare is only a maximum of £2.60. Scheduled departures to SJP are 12:17; 13:04: 13:43; 14:03 and 14:43. With returns from 17:10.
DRIVING: Why not use Park & Ride? City Centre car parks will be busy but spaces will be available after a short queue. On street parking possible for considerate parkers. But watch signs for a high number of Resident Only schemes.
CYCLING: racks are available at the stadium and throughout Sidwell Street.
ON FOOT: The most environmentally friendly journey. Our bars will be opening from 1`1am to revive you.
Match Tickets
Buying Tickets couldn’t be easier: online at newtickets.ecfc.co.uk, by phone to 01392 411243, in person at the Club Shop or on the match day from 12pm at the Fan Zone Ticket Booth.
There are principally three areas designated for Families – you are spoilt for choice. Virtually making SJP a family stadium.
The main area is our Family Block "E" in the Navada Construction Main Stand. This is the traditional area for families. Located in the stand is our Junior Grecian Zone. The room is open from noon and 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. On Saturday as a special feature Lez the Fez is back by popular demand and will be entertaining the families with his magic and balloon modelling from around 1pm.
As an overspill area, when Block E is full, we now prioritise Block A in the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand where you have purchased tickets. Tickets in this Block are not normally released for sale. They are retained exclusively for our City Community Trust “Community Corner” for entertaining young groups. Other tickets in this area are only released when Block E is full. (Should our current high attendances prevail this might well become a permanent arrangement going forward). The under croft of this new stand, where you have purchased tickets, has a large history display focus as well as TVs. There is also a play area.
Due to popular request, for those supporters who prefer to stand there is a designated area in the corner of our Big Bank. This might particularly appeal to families with older children who want to get closer to the atmosphere and enthusiasm of the Exeter City heart.
Stadium Tours
Why not start your visit early? If you have not been on our outstanding Stadium Tour why not join this Saturday? To make advance booking please visit:exetercityfc.co.uk/tickets/stadium-tours. The tours are FREE and start at 11.00am, meeting in the Fan Zone beside the entrance to the Centre Spot and provide a wonderful opportunity to go behind the scenes of your club on a match day when the ground is coming alive and visit the Changing Rooms, Security centre and Museum. Tours last between an hour and 90 minutes.
Your First Visit to SJP?
First of all thank you for supporting your local club.
Head for the Fan Zone Academy Stall or Information Point by 1:30 to join our brief Familiarisation/Induction Tour with a picture opportunity and a certificate for youngsters. The ideal pre-curser to the full, highly regarded and free match day Stadium Tour.
First Time Supporters can also register for free entry in a draw for a signed match ball at end of season. You will also receive a Welcome leaflet that details all you need to know about your Club.
Fan Zone Activity
11am – Pre-booked guests are welcomed on to the highly acclaimed Stadium Tour
12pm – Keniford Farm, chop, bars and ticket offices open
12:30pm – Junior Grecian Zone exclusively open to JG Members
12:30pm – players start to arrive and are happy to sign autographs or pose for selfies. Why not tweet your picture #SemperFidelis or on our other social media platforms.
1pm - the hospitality areas are in full flow
1:15pm – Balloons and Magic
1:30pm – Junior Grecian Zone available to all families (and everyone at half-time to catch the scores or use the kiosk)
From 2pm - Watch out for engagement opportunities with your players in the Shop/Fan Zone
Club Shop
Make your way to the Club Shop before or after the match. It is the only way to obtain your official City souvenirs and check out what’s new or any special offers. And remember there is a 10% in-store discount for Junior Grecian and Trust Members (Excl. match programmes and reduced/sale items).https://shop.exetercityfc.com.
First time Supporters can pick up a Welcome sheet at the Academy stall that defines all you need to know about your local Club. If it is your first visit please let us know by emailing customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk and we will endeavour to make it memorable for you.
Your Ambassador Team are located at entrance points and immediately inside the stadium and will be happy to assist you with directions or answer questions. For children hey will have a big match bingo card.
Because of our renowned friendly atmosphere most supporters take attending a match without a second thought For some attending your first match the prospect might be a bit daunting so please ask our Ambassador Team in their blue tabards for any assistance or reassurance. They are very knowledgeable and will take you where you need to go and explain a bit of the history as you make your way.
Head for the Fan Zone Tombola Stall or Information Point by 1:30pm to join our brief Familiarisation/Induction Tour with a picture opportunity and a certificate for youngsters. The ideal pre-courser to the full, highly regarded and free match day Stadium Tour.
First Time visitors can also register for free entry in a draw for a signed match ball at end of season. Youngsters will also receive a certificate celebrating their first match.
Announce the City team or Join the Guard of Honour
If you have the drive and feel you can get supporters cheering you can announce the City team in the Fan Zone. Just turn up at the Information Point.
Want to be on the pitch as the players enter SJP? Then be part of the flag waving, Guard of Honour!
The Guard of Honour for Saturday has 5 vacancies. If your child would like to be part of the flag waving team welcoming the players and officials onto the pitch on Saturday or at a future game please email customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk. Children taking part not only get on the pitch but also receive a certificate of participation and a bag of sweets.
Locally Sourced Hot Snacks
Kenniford Farm will be providing their usual local produced pre-match fare (including chips) from noon and will also be open at half-time for users of the Navada Construction stand.
Inside the Stadium the kiosks have a range of food, confectionary and drinks available. New for this season the Wrestlers Hot Dogs seem to be a popular buy. If you are in the Navada Construction stand please remember that the JG Zone is open for all at half-time and also has a kiosk. Giving you the opportunity to catch the half time results on their screen while you much your pasty or drink your coffee.
Information Point
The information Point is the ideal meeting place and will have programmes (home and away) and team sheets available for a donation to the Academy.
Trust Queries & Membership Applications Ticket Booth
There is now a dedicated Trust window at the Ticket Booth in the Fan Zone. The Trust Membership secretary will be pleased to meet prospective new members who want to be a part of the Club or those who want to find out about all the work the Trust does and benefits of becoming a member. He will also have 20th Anniversary badges and pens available.
The Trust recently celebrated 20 years of majority shareholding of the Club. Commemorative pens (£1.50) and badges (£3) are now available at the window .
Junior Grecians Lounge
The Junior Grecians are the Official Junior Supporters Club of Exeter City FC. New this season is face painting back after Covid by popular demand.
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. The family room also has a volunteer providing face painting to 'show your colours'. Opening exclusively for Members at 12pm it is available to all children from 13:30pm.
Bars
You are spoilt for choice! The Fan Zone has its own bar area. Leading off from the Fan Zone is the Centre Spot bar which also houses the Famous Exeter City Real Ale & Cider Emporium. On the other side of the Stadium you will find the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand under croft bar. Post match some pints are discounted in these bars. Why rush home? Stay and support England in the Euros.
Other bars are the Trust Suite for our Hospitality Guests. The Legends Lounge for guests of our Match, Ball and Programme Sponsors. Finally the Heritage Lounge for Members.
In the stadium the Big Bank has a half-time break-out bar. The refreshment kiosk behind the Away Terrace also has alcohol on sale.
Family Locations in Stadium
The first choice for families should be Block E in the Navada Construction stand. This will allow half-time use of the Junior Grecian Zone. We have listened to families who prefer to stand to watch the match. For them an area has been allocated on the Big Bank. It used to be denoted by the provision of white barriers allowing those with older children to move closer to the passion of the City heart. An overspill area has also been allocated in Block A in the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand.
ECFC Museum Trust
The brim full Museum Room is open for FREE Stadium Tours on most match days, hospitality guests and on Wednesday afternoons. The purpose of the museum is to collect, preserve, share and celebrate the history and heritage of ECFC.
Our stadium-wide approach has produced a range of at every opportunity at SJP. In the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand you will find the Hall of Fame displays and History of ECFC Timeline. The Road to Brazil in the entrance to the JG Zone (by the way the 1917 match ball is in the Museum and well worth a look), a list of every player behind Gate 3 and many other picture boards across the walls. You can ask our Ambassador Team at the entrances about the Church under the car park or other points of interest.
Autism
To further the football club’s commitment to making matchdays inclusive to all, please remember Exeter City have some Autism packs available. Please ask at the Information Point.
Soccer Sight
Headsets are readily available for supporters to collect from reception or the ticket office ahead of kick-off. To book one in advance, please contact reception on 01392 411 243 or by emailing reception@ecfc.co.uk.
Feedback
We hope that you enjoy your day with us at St James Park! We would really appreciate any feedback you may have about the experience. Please either email: media@ecfc.co.uk, or message us on Twitter: @officialecfc
If you want to report and incident:
Please either contact your nearest steward, or text 'help ecfc' to 62277.