Matchday Family Fun: Reading (22/10/24)

Reading Fun

We look forward to welcoming you to our match with Reading on Tuesday (7:45pm). As always thank you very much for your visit.
 
There always seems to be an electric atmosphere that comes hand in hand with matches under the lights at SJP. Making it a not to be missed match.

The Weather

The weather looks extremely settled for your match night.  It’s currently forecast to be a partly cloudy and mild (13c) evening. Regardless of the weather at your SJP, there will always be a warm welcome for you.  

With genuine commitment to see you spend an enjoyable match day with us. And for supporters who love a variety of great food and drink alongside fun and games, your Fan Zone is the ideal pre-match venue.

Family Locations in Stadium and tickets

The first choice for families should be Block E in the Nevada Construction stand. This will allow use of the Junior Grecian Zone. A seated overspill area for you has also been allocated in Block A in the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand.  

To buy tickets, please click here.

Help Us Help You

If you encounter any that does not seem right, facilities as well as behaviour, please text “Help” or a short description immediately and anonymously to 62277.

Special Occasion?

As well as letting us know if it is your first visit please let us know if you are celebrating a special occasion. We will try and make it special for you and/or arrange a half-time birthday message. Email: customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.

First time visitors can collect their certificates to record their special day from the Academy Stall or Junior Grecian Family Zone. The shop also has a memento for you. If you would like your picture included on your certificate please email customerservice@exetercityfc.co.uk before Monday.

Travel Guide

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St James Park Station

Getting to SJP on match days (EX4 6PX – visiting fans EX4 6PU) cannot be easier for you. 

Despite being in the heart of Exeter’s bustling city centre, getting to SJP on match days couldn’t be easier!

BUS: Local Stagecoach buses drop off on several streets in the local vicinity all around the stadium (York Road, Pennsylvania Road, Prince Charles Road, Union Road, Sidwell Street, Old Tiverton Road, Blackboy Road etc.). 

All of Exeter’s Park & Ride services drop off in the City Centre, which is a short walk away from the stadium gates. A maximum £2 fare is still in place for all Devon local services. 

Exeter Coach Station is also less than half a mile walk away, offering both regional and nationwide services.

TRAIN: St James Park boasts one of the few operating matchday station in the whole of the EFL! The station sits on the London Waterloo line out of the London & has become a match day hub with regular services running from Exeter St. David’s, Exeter Central, Exmouth, Paignton, Okehampton and Barnstaple. 

Match Day timetable changes mean that trains calling at all stations from Okehampton and Barnstaple are extended to finish/return from St James Park (Exeter) station.  Passengers from London Waterloo should change at Exeter Central for services to St James Park. Passengers from London Paddington, Cornwall and from Liverpool/Manchester or further north should change at Exeter St. David’s. A return fare from Exeter St. David’s costs £2.70 but is free if travelling from further afield and St James Park selected as your destination at the time of booking. 

CYCLING: There are racks available at the stadium, with extra capacity on nearby Sidwell Street should these areas be full. Exeter’s cycling network is continually improving and many of the surrounding streets have dedicated cycling infrastructure.

CAR:

Sat nav: Home fans: EX4 6PX | Visiting fans: EX4 6PU

There is extremely limited parking at our stadium, with several city-centre car parks within fairly close range. There is also limited on-street parking for considerate drivers. Wherever possible, we recommend the use of public transport, Park & Ride services, or active transport (walking & cycling) to reach St James Park on matchday.

There are no major traffic delays expected.

Fan Zone Activities

The Fan Zone activity on Tuesday night will be able to play “Play Your Cards Right” to win a shirt or a football – your choice. Despite shirts being won at recent matches we still have a barrel full of other prizes available.

Announce the City team

If you have the drive and feel you can get supporters cheering you can announce the City team in the Fan Zone.  You can volunteer on the day or in advance by contacting customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.

Your Match Day Timetable Tuesday

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Evening KO

9:30am – The Club Shop opens until the last customer leaves post-match. Youngsters can enter a guess the time of the first goal to win a £20 voucher (no purchase necessary).  Tickets are available from the shop until 5pm when the Ticket Booth opens.

5pm - The Home and Away Ticket Booth (Fan Zone) will be open if you haven’t purchased your match tickets or other matches currently on sale. The ticket office is also the place to head for if you have tickets for collections. 

5pm – The bars start to open on a staggered basis beginning with the Centre Spot and Fan Zone. Big screens in the Centre Spot will be following the build up to all EFL matches on Sky Sports News. At final whistle you can catch all the results and the end of Arsenal v Shakhtar Donetsk  and Aston Villa v Bologna.

6pm – Junior Grecian Family Zone open for members. Booked birthday parties take their places in the VIP area. Face painting available. Your City favourites will be popping in on their way to the changing room for more selfies and a game with you on the table football or FC 24.  

6pm – The two course meal and interviews start in Hospitality (Heritage, Trust Suite and Executive boxes) if you have reserved your table.

5:15pm – if not before,  you can catch Grecian the Lion and his younger sister Lexi posing for selfies starting from the Junior Grecian Zone, before moving out to the Fan Zone to welcome supporters and players and into the Stadium around 6:45. 

5:30pm - Players are arriving and are happy to sign autographs or pose for selfies in the Fan Zone. Why not tweet your picture to #SemperFidelis or share on our other social media platforms.

6:15pm – Match Day Experience youngsters enter the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand. Programmes, food and drinks supplied as part of their package.  

6:15pm – Familiarisation Mini Tour for first time visitors starts from the Academy Stall.

6:15pm – your volunteer run Information Point and Academy stall open in the Fan Zone.  Your meet and greet Ambassador team volunteers are available for help and directions.

6:45pm - Under croft in the Optimising IT stand activities include Legends bar, TVs, history display and Red & Fed kiosk.

6:45pm – All turnstiles are open. 

6:50pm – Teams announced by rival supporters in your Fan Zone.

7:20pm  – Guard of Honour take to the field.

7:45pm - The Big Kick Off. Enjoy YOUR Match.

Half-time – Weather permitting half time shoot out featuring local youth teams on the Match Day Experience package

Final Whistle – why rush away. Sky Sports results and goals in the Centre Spot. The final moments of the European matches on the big screens. Some pints reduced in price. Your Red and Fed Kiosks, Club Shop and Ticket Booth will close when the last customer has been served.

9:51pm - Train services to Exeter St Davids start (main line connections and South Devon). 

9:58pm - Post match trains start from St James Park (Exeter) station to Exmouth. (for those staying for a pint the last services are 10:49 and 11:46).  

Announce the City team

If you have the drive and feel you can get supporters cheering you can announce the City team in the Fan Zone. You can volunteer on the day or in advance by contacting customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.

Join the guard of honour

Under-12 and want to be on the pitch as the players enter SJP? Then be part of the flag waving, Guard of Honour!

At the moment your Guard of Honour for Tuesday night has 6 vacancies. If your child would like to be part of the flag waving team welcoming the players and officials onto the pitch on Tuesday night or at a future game please email: customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.

Guard of Honour

It’s FREE. Children taking part not only get on the pitch but also receive a certificate of participation.

Junior Grecians Lounge

New this season is face painting to show your colours!

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. Open from 6pm for all!

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Shaun Macdonald in the Junior Grecians Lounge

Grecian and Lexi

Yes! They are back for you! And no doubt up to even more capers and mayhem! Keep an eye out for Grecian and Lexi! They will be in the Junior Grecian Zone and the Fan Zone from 6:-30pm before moving into the stadium to greet you. 

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Grecian and Lexi the Lions with a young fan

Surely, no trip to SJP would be complete without a picture with our mascots Grecian and his younger sister Lexi the Lions. Keep an eye out around the Park for the mischievous pair! You can follow their antics on Twitter @Grecianlexi. Why not send them a picture for them to hang up in their Lions Den.

Club Shop

The shop runs its own match day competition for younger supporters. Predict the time of the first goal and the prize is yours.

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. Everything for you from current and retro replica kits to pocket money items. And remember if you are a member of the Trust or Junior Grecians there is a 10% in store discount (Excl. match programmes and reduced/sale items). Click here to shop online.

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New away shirt

Match Day Programme

Your match-day programme, the Grecian is on sale for just £2.50 and is your essential read is packed full of information. To avoid disappointment buy your copy from the various locations outside the stadium.  Programmes will also be on sale at the Red & Fed Kiosk

Eating and Drinking Options

Apart from the hospitality and bar options locally farm sourced hot snacks are available in the Fan Zone from Kenniford Farm. For your delight they will be providing their usual farm produced pre-match fare (including chips) and will also be open at half-time for users of the Nevada Construction stand.

Inside the Stadium the kiosks have a range of food, confectionary and drinks available to you. 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 big screen while you much your pasty or drink your coffee. Adults in the Main Stand can of course also watch the half-times in the Centre Spot over a quick pint and pasty.

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 'Legends' bar. 

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. If you are in any hospitality area you are welcome to visit the cram full City Museum.

In the stadium the Big Bank has a half-time break-out bar.

Three helpful tips for parents you on your first visit:

  • The stadium can be noisy – especially when City score a goal. Consider ear defenders (which will also minimise any local deviation from the King’s English);
  • Make sure youngsters have an emergency contact number in case they get split up from you;
  • And always check the weather before your journey so that you have appropriate clothing. The forecast for your Match Day Saturday is for a warm evening...

Soccer Sight

Headsets are readily available for you to collect from your ticket office ahead of kick-off. To book one in advance, please contact reception on 01392 411 243 or by emailing tickets@ecfc.co.uk

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. 

Wheelchair Access Points:

Stadium Way - Gate 1 (Optimising IT Stand, Nevada Construction Stand and Big Bank)

Tracks Suzuki St James Road - Gate 5 Visiting Supporters

If you find you need a wheelchair please ask at the Information Point where an Ambassador will let you use one of our reserve chairs.

Extra Assistance? We Care

  • Autism packs are available for youngsters including ear defenders – ask an Ambassador.
  • Soccer Sight commentary headsets for you if you have vision restrictions – ask at the Ticket office. 
  • Changing Places facility available for you in the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand.
  • 6 Accessible facilities.
  • 4 Baby changing facilities.

Information Point

The information Point is the ideal meeting place and will have programmes and team sheets available for you. It also runs a “Bring and Buy” stall of football memorabilia to raise funds for the Academy.

Trust Queries & Membership Applications at the Home Ticket Booth

There is now a shared Trust Office in your Fan Zone Receptgion. Your 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. 

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: customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk, media@ecfc.co.uk, or message us on Twitter: @officialecfc

If you want to report any incident (facilities or behaviour): please text immediately “Help” to 62277