A New Beginning At The City

"The Club has got financial problems but we are hoping to be able to deal with them in a proper manner over a period of time" Mike Russell August 2002.

When John Russell and Mike Lewis were unveiled as the new owners of Exeter City Football Club in May, there was an added surprise for those gathered at the press conference, when Uri Geller was also introduced as being involved with the Grecians, along with his City-mad son, Daniel. Since then, there is no denying that it has been like a breath of fresh air wafting over St James Park, as the Club have gained more publicity on a national basis for a very long time. Uri who is a friend of both Ivor Doble and Mike Lewis filled unique position of Co-Chairman along with John Russell, whilst Mike Lewis and Daniel Geller took up the position of Co-Vice Chairman. Previous Chairman Ivor Doble has stayed on at the Club in the position of Honorary President. All other Board Members retained their positions, and there has also been another addition, with the appointment of Ian Clark. John Russell is handling the day-to-day management of the Football Club and along with Mike Lewis. They are both based and work from the Club Offices in the St James, Centre. The duo, along with other staff, have put in very long hours since gaining control of the City. Uri, better known for his psychic and spoon bending abilities, along with Daniel are taking up their roles in a figurehead position and will not be playing a big role in the day-to-day running of the Club. Speaking at the Press Conference, John Russell stated how he and Mike Lewis first got involved in negotiations. "Stuart Dawe was the main reason for turning our attentions to Exeter City when he told us about the situation at the Club about four months ago," said Russell. "Myself and Mike were introduced by Stuart (Dawe) and got together to put in our bid. We have got a huge amount of respect for Ivor and he has done a marvellous job over the years. We are pleased to be able to take over the burden from him and let Ivor retire." Everyone knows about the debt situation that the Club found itself in and Russell was under no illusions as to the task that lies ahead. "I think we have got to mention about the debt that Exeter City is in," he said. "It is a problem and we feel that with the support and the help from the City and the supporters that we will be able to overcome it. "We are going to sustain some bumps and bruises, there are no two ways about it. The Club has got financial problems but we are hoping to be able to cushion them and deal with them in a proper manner over a period of time. "The supporters and fans would love to hear us say that we want to be in the First Division within five years, but we are practical sensible people and basically what we will looking for over the next twelve months is to ring fence the debt situation, start to sort it out and come up with sensible budgets for the manager in order for Exeter City to remain in the League and then obviously with new investors and commercial ventures involving the City and supporters we can look to the future."

Many changes have already been implemented at St James' Park, and a much broader and vigorous commercial approach has been adopted, as Mike Lewis explained. "We have very much different ideas of how the structure should be set up and how we should look after the little things that matter to people, with regards to the fans John has hit the nail on the head, sustaining Third Division status next season is our obvious goal. "What we want to do then through the Manager is see if the squad is strong enough to take us on to further heights. If it does need strengthening then the money to support that is going to have to come from investment in the Club. "To take Exeter City to a new level is going to need new investment, and we are going to need help which is one of the reasons why Uri Geller is on board, he can open doors for us and introduce us to a worldwide range of people that we can make aware to that Exeter has a Football Club and we want to drive that support home."
To assure fans of their intentions John Russell mentioned how they will always be available for discussions. "With regards to the City and Supporters, the door is always open, we do not isolate ourselves, there are no hidden agendas. They can come and talk to us anytime they wish and we will talk to them. Everything with regards to Exeter City, good, bad or indifferent will go out to the public, and they will be told exactly the state of play." Both Lewis and Russell are fully aware that there will be people questioning why they are at Exeter City and they are fully prepared for that.

"We are not trying to fool people. We are not lifelong Exeter City fans, but we are professionals like Managers.," explained Lewis. "John and myself are actually moving into Exeter. We are going to stay and live here so that is a commitment in itself. Russell was well aware that the Club has to be seen that it is a worthwhile venture for investors. "We have got to prove that we can make the Club stand up. Uri can then introduce us to people, but we have to prove that the Club is viable for potential backers. I think the expression we need to use is that if any money is required it will be found on an as required basis." Certainly in the few short weeks that the Club has been under new ownership, there has been a real positive feel around St James' Park and at the Cat and Fiddle training ground, and that applies equally to management, players, staff, supporters and sponsors. There probably has never been so much nationwide (and worldwide!) publicity gained by Exeter City as there has been in just a few short weeks. Today, however, all the focus is on the team and how they perform on the pitch, as it will be in the coming months.

In the few short weeks since our last match at St James' Park, there have certainly been more than a few changes at St James' Park, and with it. much publicity. The Cub are now under new ownership, fronted by John Russell, Mike Lewis, Uri and Daniel Geller, whilst team manager John Cornforth has made some very astute signings to add to his playing squad. All in all it augers well for the coming months.

We welcome all our new signings to the Club, which at the time of going to print included James Coppinger, Gareth Sheldon and Martin Thomas, plus Reinier Moor, Matthew Lock, Les Afful and Sean Goff, who have been upgraded from trainees. It is quite possible there may have been one or two other signings by this evenings game.

Publicity wise, Exeter City have probably never had so much positive news in such a short space of time, with the Grecians' name spread far and wide, literally worldwide, especially in connection with the visit of Michael Jackson, who is now an Honorary Director of the the Club. Add to that the possibility of Brazil's national team being lured to the Park for City's Centenary in two years time, these are indeed high profile times for Exeter City FC.

This evening marks the start of a run of six home matches as we continue our pre- season programme, the team having returned last weekend from a tour of Finland where they played against FC Honka, PK 35 and Team Norssi. The tour was only made possible by the generous sponsorship of Newton Abbot company Floodgate, the Exeter City Supporters Trust and the Exeter City Supporters Club.

We welcome everyone from Birmingham City tonight, as they will be looking forward to, with some relish, life in the Premiership after being promoted last season. The Blues are just one of three Premiership clubs to visit the Park before we commence our Nationwide Football League programme. West Bromwich Albion are the visitors next Tuesday night (23rd July - K.O. 7.30pm) and Southampton are at the Park on Wednesday 7th August, kick-off 7.30pm.

In addition here are matches against Walsall (20th Jul - K.O. 3.00pm) Bristol City (30th July - K.O. 7.00pm') and Yeovil Town (Aug 3rd - K.O. 3.00pm). Admission charges to all the matches will be a flat rate £5 per game for anywhere in the ground. It is hoped that a lower admission charge will encourage everyone to come along to the games and see how things have progressed on and off the pitch.

Much work has been undertaken behind the scenes at the Club during the close season, and this has included a few staff changes. The whole outlook from the commercial and marketing point of view has been appraised and improved. This is an important area of revenue for any Club, and much greater emphasis will be placed upon it. There are many exciting things planned in the coming months. if you or your business/company would like to join us taking Exeter City Football Club forward, then do please call our Commercial Department on 01392 413951 or 413956.

Another major change that you may have already read about in the local Press is the renaming of the Cat and Fiddle Training Ground. This has become the Hillcliff Academy to reflect the fact that former City FC chairman and president, Cliff Hill, along with his wife Jean, have rented the training ground to the Club for a peppercorn rent for several years. It also reflects the fact that the Grecians now have a thriving youth system in place, headed by Eamonn Dolan, Tiv Lowe and Mike Radford. The first team squad, will of course, continue to use the excellent facilities on offer.