Visit concluded with Monday's friendly at St James Park
THERE IS NO DOUBT that the recent visit to Exeter by the Fluminense squad was a roaring success with the Brazilian giants being so impressed by the welcome they received and the set-up at the Grecians that they have invited the City Academy to send a young side back to Brazil next year to spend a week working at their own academy.The young 'Flu' squad certainly impressed on the field and scored a goal from a free kick, the quality of which was synonymous with the legendary Brazilians of yore - those privileged to have seen it will be talking about it for years! However, it was away from the field that the young ambassadors for their club and country made the biggest impact due to their friendly, polite and happy behaviour, making friends everywhere they went and even playing football in the street with people they met on their way before carrying Grecians fans children around the pitch after the game.
Exeter City wish to thank each and every one of the sponsors who made the visit possible. The visit was led by Paramount Personnel and very well supported by Cross Deck, Exeter College, Underwoods Solicitors, Marsh KIA and Lloyds Kitchen, (who certainly provided a memorable meal and evening for everyone!) Exeter City would also like to record their sincere thanks to Steve Gibbons and Dan Wiseman, the volunteers who spent three long days driving the squad around, Vera Queiroz for her late night BBQ efforts, Exmouth Town for so kindly hosting the visitors on Sunday morning, Jevon Jennings plus the chef and kitchen staff at Bicton College for being so helpful and Eric de Menezes and Ricardo Calcado, the Exeter City official representatives in Brazil for making the visit a reality. The club must also thank Dan Wiseman for his work and time in recording the visit for posterity, another chapter in the amazing history of the Grecians and their links to Brazil’s own footballing heritage.
The Tricolor may have departed the city of Exeter but have left some wonderful memories behind, and an even stronger bond of friendship between the two sides. A bond paid homage to now by the new Exeter City third shirt, which is styled in the manner of Fluminense’s own traditional first shirt and which is already proving extremely popular amongst the City fans.