Exeter City kick off their 2018/19 Sky Bet League Two campaign as Carlisle United make the trip to Devon in what will be Matt Taylor’s first competitive match in charge of the Grecians.
After play-off final heartbreak for the second season running, City will be looking to pick themselves up and go again as they welcome John Sheridan’s Cumbrians for the season curtain raiser.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, manager Matt Taylor said: The preparations are going okay, coming off the back of a good pre-season the lads are fit and ready to go. It will be a tough game on Saturday, they (Carlisle) are coming off the back of a successful pre-season themselves.
“Everyone is looking forward to it, we are under no illusions about how difficult it will be on Saturday and throughout the season going forward. You want your first game to be at home, you want the fans to get behind you, and then hopefully we can pick up a positive result.”
WHEN WE LAST MET
The sides last met in March in what was a big game at St James Park as the Grecians attempted to chase down the automatic promotion places and Carlisle looked to sneak into the play-off spots. Dean Moxey put City ahead in the first half when he peeled away at the far post to fire in left footed, before Ashley Nadesan levelled for the away side as the match ended 1-1.
TICKET NEWS
With the ground capacity currently reduced due to the ongoing development work we encourage all supporters to buy tickets as early as possible to avoid being disappointed on the day of the game.
MATCHDAY SPONSORS
We would like to welcome our matchday sponsors RGB Building Supplies and Bidfood to our opening game of the season.
For more information about any of our sponsorship opportunities please contact Matt Kimberley at matt.kimberley@ecfc.co.uk
GROUND INFORMATION
Redevelopment work: Due to the ongoing work around St James Park, all entry for home fans will be via the Stadium Way turnstiles into the IP Office Main Stand or the Thatchers’ Big Bank.
Turnstiles will open from 2pm.
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
Our matchday programme, The Grecian, has been redesigned for the 2018/19 season with some exciting content included and can be purchased for just £3 in and around the ground. Inside you can read an exclusive feature interview with new club captain Jake Taylor as he reveals his excitement about taking the new role.
Also, inside is our new quiz section where you can take part in various quiz games, not to mention 10 questions on our magic midfielder, Hiram Boateng.
You can also keep up to date with what the City Community Trust have been up to over the summer holidays so far, and how you can get involved. Lifelong City fan Tony Morris returns with his regular feature as he discusses England’s World Cup campaign, and you can also hear from local journalist Matt Bamsey as he previews a new era for the Grecians.
FAMILY ZONE
The Junior Grecians family zone also returns this season with opening time at 12:30 for members and 13.30 for the rest of the public. The zone has video consoles, large TV screens, a refreshments stall and table football.
MASCOTS
We have two mascots for this afternoon’s match in the form of Olivia Richardson and Oliver Tuckett
You can read their profiles in the matchday programme. If you would like to be a matchday mascot this season, then make sure to be in contact with our operations manager Andy Gillard via email at andy.gillard@ecfc.co.uk
CLUB SHOP
The club shop will open from 11am to give you the opportunity to make some purchases ahead of the match and will close at 17:30.
TICKET INFORMATION
Exeter City are urging fans not to leave it to chance and book their tickets to watch Matt Taylor's first competitive match in charge of the Grecians in advance.
Due to the reduced capacity in the Thatchers' Big Bank for the season opener, the club has a limited number of tickets left in the standing areas. Click here to find out more.
