We look forward to welcoming you back to SJP on Saturday for your later kick off (5:30pm) first match of the new season. Hopefully the perfect way to end your day. The game will finish under the lights which creates its own special atmosphere.
If you weren't here last week for the friendly with Eastleigh, there's a few changes you may notice on the return to SJP.
It’s been a busy close season. New club-owned website, introduction of Grecian+ and at some stage a new app. Our match day food and beverage offering has also had a refresh. There is a replacement Red and Fed kiosk in the away end and the Nevada Construction stand now has three facilities – the old unit, a new unit nearer the turnstile and of course the Junior Grecian Zone is also open at half-time for all the Nevada Construction Main Stand ticket holders.
The home and away ticket booths have amalgamated and are now in one unit in the Fan Zone. During the week you can purchase tickets in the combined adjacent office with Reception and Trust desk. Finally your Club Shop has a new accessible door. Your Red and Fed kiosks will now stay open until you leave – we leave when you leave.
The Weather
The Exeter weather looks extremely settled for your match day. It’s currently forecast to be a mild (19c) early evening with sunny intervals. So you might need to consider some sun screen. To keep the youngsters cool we will again have free flavoured ice sticks in the Fan Zone.
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.
Things to do
Starting at noon when the Centre Spot opens for League Two and Charity Shield matches on the Followed at 1pm with the FREE stadium Tour. Your Club Shop will be open from 1.30 and the Ticket Booth from 2:30pm. The staggered opening of bars (with TVs) and local farm food outlet. If you are in the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand the Legends Bar and kiosk are available 2 hours before kick off.
Buying Tickets couldn’t be easier: Online at tickets.ecfc.co.uk , by phone to 01392 411243, in person at the Club Shop or on the match day from 12 noon at the Fan Zone Ticket Booth.
Family Locations in Stadium
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.
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 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 Friday.
Activities
You 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.
Announcements will include away travel update, Women’s football with a Grecian and Millers supporter announcing their respective teams around 2pm.
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
Want to be on the pitch as the players enter SJP? Then be part of the flag waving, Guard of Honour!
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. It’s FREE. Children taking part not only get on the pitch but also receive a certificate of participation.
Fan Zone Activity
Noon – Your bars start to open on a staggered basis beginning with the Centre Spot. Big screens showing Sky Sports News, League Twp matches and Charity Shield.
1pm and 1:30pm FREE Stadium Tour - The highly acclaimed Stadium Tour is available to supporters who have pre-booked https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/tickets/stadium-tours. You can book your place on future Match Day Tours (Saturdays) at the Academy Stall in the Fan Zone, in the shop or preferably by email.
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 1pm before moving into the stadium to greet you.
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.
(Times below represent a 3pm kick-off) - Add 90 minutes for this Saturday's timings:
Your Match Day Time Table This Saturday
1:30pm – your 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).
2pm – hospitality is available to supporters who have upgraded for a 2 course meal with interviews and post-match presentations.
2:30pm - your Home Ticket Booth 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.
2:30pm – Your Junior Grecians Zone opens for Members (and from 3:30pm for all families). 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.
3-3:30pm - 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.
3:15pm – Information Point and Academy stall open in the Fan Zone. Your meet and greet Ambassador team are available for help and directions.
3:30pm – the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand opens for those ticket holders who want to watch the lunchtime match. Under croft activities include Legends bar, Mini Family Zone. Mini Club Shop and Red & Fed kiosk.
3:30pm – 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 by 4:30.
4pm - Subject to weather it’s the return of Play Your Cards Right. Prizes include shirt (winners in each of the last two matches) of your choice, footballs, FC24 games and t-shirts for adults. OR your chance to use the “City Board” for family pics which you can tweet to #SemperFidelis.
4pm – Match Day Experience youngsters enter the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand. Programmes, food and drinks supplied as part of their package.
4:15pm – Familiarisation Mini Tour for first time visitors starts from the Academy Stall.
4:30pm - Turnstiles are open (Red & Fed Kiosks available).
4:35pm – Teams announced by rival supporters in your Fan Zone.
5:05pm – Guard of Honour take to the field.
5:30pm - 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.
Jungle Path Bar for the Big Bank. Optimising IT Adam Stansfield stand undercroft TVs (result service) kiosks and “Legends” bar. Junior Grecian Zone (kiosk available) open for all Nevada Construction ticket holders.
Club Shop, Fan Zone, Kenniford Farm Food and Centre Spot open to home supporters in the Navada Construction Main Stand.
Final Whistle – why rush away. Red and Fed kiosks are available as you depart. Sky Sports results and and goals in the Centre Spot. on the big screens. Your Club Shop and Ticket Booth will close when the last customer has been served.
7:23pm - Post match trains start from St James Park (Exeter) station from 7:25/17:53 to mainline St David’s and 7:23/7:53 to Exmouth.
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
Your First Visit?
Head for the Fan Zone Academy Stall or Information Point by 4:15pm to join our brief Familiarisation/Induction Tour with a picture opportunity.
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.
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.
Finally 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...
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.
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. Services for you this Saturday are at 16 and 43 minutes past the hour. Returns start at 7:23/53.
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.
Club Shop https://shop.exetercityfc.com/
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).
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.
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.
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. Opening exclusively for Members at noon it is available to all children/families from 1:30pm.
Mascot Opportunities and VIP Birthday Party packages in the Junior Grecian Zone.
Book YOUR place in the Mascot squad for £180, with a 10% discount for existing Junior Grecians members. We currently have availability for every remaining home game this season so contact matchdays@ecfc.co.uk find out more or to book.
The very popular JG Birthday Package is almost sold out. If you want to know further details about the exclusive birthday treat area or the Match day Experience for local youth football teams please email matchdays@ecfc.co.uk.
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.
Post match some pints are discounted in the Centre Spot. Why rush home when you could be watching the results or Olympics?
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. 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 you an area has been allocated on the Big Bank behind the wheelchair area denoted by a red floor and white barriers allowing those with older children to move closer to the passion of the City heart. A seated overspill area for you has also been allocated in Block A in the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand.
ECFC Museum Trust
Your burgeoning Museum Room is open for FREE Stadium Tours on most match days, hospitality guests and for everyone 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 displays at every opportunity at St James Park. 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.
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, Navada 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.
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