Steve Tully, Wayne Carlisle and striker Darran Rowbotham sign up for Eamonn Dolan Memorial match

Game to take place at St James Park on Sunday, October 23

Steve Tully, Wayne Carlisle and popular striker Darran Rowbotham are the latest names to commit to the Eamonn Dolan Memorial match, which is taking place at St James Park this Sunday (1pm).


Two teams of players that either played with, for or knew Eamonn will descend on the Park this weekend for the game, which will raise money for two chosen causes, Action Bladder Cancer UK and the Exeter City Academy.


Steve had two spells at Exeter, the first in 2005 and then from 2007/2013 making in excess of 250 appearances for the club, but his defining moment came when he scored the penalty that took the Grecians to Wembley for the first time in their history as they defeated Oxford United on spot kicks in the Conference play-off semi-finals of 2006/07.


Wayne made 73 appearances for the Grecians, helping them win promotion back to the Football League in 2008, where he was part of the team that beat Cambridge United 1-0 at Wembley.


Wayne was one of the four scorers in Exeter’s dramatic play-off semi-final win at Devon rivals Torquay United. 


The Grecians trailed 3-1 on aggregate with 20 minutes remaining, but four goals before full-time, Wayne crossed for Richard Logan to score the third before adding the fourth himself in stoppage time, sealed one of the most incredible comebacks in the club’s history.


Darran is one of the most popular strikers the club has ever had and a key member of the Fourth Division Championship team of 1989/90.


‘Dazza’ arrived at the club from Plymouth Argyle, as part of the deal that saw Nicky Marker head the other way down the A38, but was transformed from a gifted midfielder to a ruthless striker by manager Terry Cooper.


Playing alongside Steve ‘The Weave’ Neville, Darran struck 20 times before a serious knee injury kept him out for a year and ended any hopes the Welshman had of a big-money move; Chelsea were strongly linked with his signature at that time.


However, Darran joined Torquay United in 1992 before turning out for Birmingham City, Crewe Alexandra and Shrewsbury Town prior to his return to St James Park under Peter Fox in 1996, when he went on to make a further 130 appearances across a four-year spell.


On his return to Exeter, Darran scored five times in his first seven games and ended the 1996/97 campaign with ten goals in 19 appearances for the club, while 1997/98 saw him bag 22 in a fruitful strike partnership with Steve Flack.


The pair could rekindle that partnership this Sunday with Flack also set to be involved in the game.


Admission to the game is by donation only with the suggestion £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

 

There will also be a special commemorative programme for the game priced £2 where all proceeds will again go towards the two chosen causes.