Michael Caines, a well-known ‘celebrity chef’ from Exeter, arranged fundraising events on behalf of Exeter City around the time the supporters’ trust took control of the club in 2003.

Born in Exeter in 1969, Michael studied catering at Exeter College and, after working in London and France, was head chef when Gidleigh Park (near Chagford) won Michelin awards during the 1990s. Having subsequently lost an arm in a car accident, Michael was Chef of the Year in 2001 and was thereafter involved in the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter, ABobe Hotels and the Lympstone Manor. Awarded the MBE in 2006, he also owned several restaurants in Cornwall.

Michael helped the cause of Exeter City at the time of the transition to supporter ownership by arranging fundraising evenings at the Royal Clarence Hotel in June 2003 and April 2004.