We are providing this update following the behaviour of a number of supporters at the away fixture at Plymouth Argyle on August 10 and a complaint of sexual harassment after the Accrington Stanley match at St James Park.
We are extremely disappointed to report that 15 seats were damaged at the Argyle stadium and a lighter was thrown onto the pitch. These are serious matters - damage to stadium property carries potential costs to the Club, and objects thrown onto a pitch are a safety risk to players and officials. This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and those responsible are not true supporters of this Club.
A number of people also took part in misogynistic chanting. This is shameful behaviour with no place at Exeter City Football Club or in football as a whole. We are a family club. Women and girls must feel safe at football matches, and this kind of chanting is a direct threat to that. It will not be tolerated.
All of this was broadcast live on Sky Sports to a worldwide audience. That is the impression those individuals gave of Exeter City and its supporters - and it is one the vast majority of our fanbase would be rightly ashamed of.
We operate a zero-tolerance policy on these behaviours. Three Exeter City supporters were arrested during the match and, following subsequent enquiries, banning orders have been issued to five individuals, prohibiting them from attending matches at St James Park. Four of the five are under 18 years old.
We will continue to clamp down on these behaviours firmly and without hesitation. Following the update of our ground regulations for the 2026-27 season, any person under the age of 14 must be accompanied by someone over the age of 18. This will be rigorously enforced.
And this poor behaviour is not limited to away matches. A complaint was received regarding a serious incident on Old Tiverton Road on Saturday, in which a woman was sexually harassed and subjected to unwanted physical contact. This is not just unacceptable behaviour - it is a criminal offence. We would urge any witnesses to come forward, and we ask all supporters to look out for one another. Do not be a bystander.
Manager Matt Taylor said: "I believe in our supporters, I always have and I always will do. But the last few weeks have left a stain on our football club. Alongside the examples already stated above, supporters, both young and old, have relayed to me that they no longer travel to our away fixtures because of an undertone of aggression and the uncomfortable feeling in the stands. This team needs our supporters more now than ever before and the players want everyone to come to a football ground and feel safe. There is no better feeling as a footballer than to celebrate with our fans, and we look forward to many more opportunities to do this.
“Exeter City FC will take any course of action necessary to eradicate the minority who are currently letting this special football club down with their actions and behaviour. As a club, we can do more, and as a set of supporters, I believe we can achieve so much more. Together we stay true to our football club.”
Club chair Wilf Walsh said: "These are not true supporters. There is no place for these behaviours in society, and there is no place for them at Exeter City Football Club. We will follow up every report of poor behaviour - incidents will be reported to the police and banning orders will be issued."
Peter Ferlie, chair of the Supporters' Trust, said: “I echo the comments made by both Matt and Wilf and fully support the action taken by the club on issuing the banning orders. This type of behaviour and actions of the small minority has no place at Exeter City and goes against the ethos of what The Trust and the club stand for. I also urge any supporter who witnesses this type behaviour to report straight away so we can put a stop to it.”