Gary Caldwell has given his thoughts following the EFL Fixture Release Day, which handed Exeter City an away trip to the League Two champions Doncaster Rovers on the opening day of the League One season.
It will be a fourth successive season for the Grecians in the third tier, with Caldwell looking forward to the opener on August 2.
“It is a start of a season full of hope and expectation for every club.”
This year will also see the return of the Devon Derby after two season’s away, and the manager is looking forward to facing Plymouth Argyle as well as the opportunity to claim Devon bragging rights.
“I am fortunate to have been involved in two already and they were both tremendous occasions. We were ultimately disappointed with how they finished because we know that derbies are about winning and you have to give the supporters the bragging rights in Devon. We will do our best to make sure we are on the right side because we know what this means.”
Relegated alongside Argyle were Cardiff City, where City will travel on Boxing Day – the first time in eight years that City are away on that day. It will be a first ever trip to the Cardiff City Stadium.
“It’s a big game in a big stadium, and they are a big club who have been in the Premier League. That’s the league we’re in with many clubs like that. It’ll be a tough challenge and a great occasion on Boxing Day which we will look forward to.”
2025/26 also offers the rare opportunity to face fellow fan owned AFC Wimbledon, who gained promotion via the play-offs last season. We will meet for the first time since 2015 in December.
“It is brilliant that our clubs have fought our way up to this level, and it will be a great occasion to show what our models look like and show that it is possible to be successful with our ownership models.”
Watch the full interview: