Pierce Sweeney agrees deal to join Exeter City on permanent basis
Exeter City have signed Pierce Sweeney on a permanent deal, with the help of the 1931 Fund.The Fund is a group of loyal supporters who pay £19 a month to help cover the wages of an extra player for manager Paul Tisdale’s squad.
Tis was delighted to sign Sweeney and quick to praise the Fund for their support – contributing a sum of £15,000 towards the cost of the defender’s wages.
“The 1931 Fund is a vital part of our community-owned club and we really value their support,” said Tis. “I would like to thank the 1931 Fund for their significant contribution towards the signing of Pierce.
“We are again so grateful to them – this is the eighth year that they have done this, so it’s not a one-off, and their loyal support is a great bonus to the club.”
Speaking about Pierce, Tis added: “He has looked assured and solid for us in the games he has played during pre-season. He is a very competent player who can play in a couple of different positions for us – at right back and centre-half – and he will add good competition for places in the first team squad.”
Alan Crockford, of the 1931 Fund, said: “Everyone at the 1931 Fund is keen to help manager Paul Tisdale, as much as possible to strengthen the squad. We feel Pierce Sweeney is an ideal player for the 1931 Fund to sponsor as he is a good up-and-coming player, who deserves an opportunity at Exeter and will wear our number 31 shirt with pride.
“To raise the sum (£15,000) we’ll need a lot of committed City fans to either join us or support our fundraising this season. It is not easy, but we own our club and we all have to play our part. We’re urging City fans everywhere to sign up to the 1931 Fund if £19 a month is affordable.”
The 1931 Fund is run on behalf of the Supporters’ Trust by the Exeter Exiles. They chose the 1931 Fund name and shirt number 31 for their player because 1931 was the year of City’s greatest FA Cup run where they played Sunderland at St James Park in front of a record crowd of 20,984.
To join up and for more information follow the 1931 Fund @ecfc1931fund on Twitter.