First at the Park
The first at the Park...
A look back at the 1st match of the season over the years, since Exeter City were elected to the Third Division in 1920.
Biggest win:
This was achieved on 25th August 1984 when the Grecians won 5-0 against Northampton Town before an attendance of 3,166. There was some dispute afterwards whether the own goal netted by Northampton's Brough, should really have been credited to City's Ray Pratt, which would have given him a hat-trick.
However, the record books show that the Exeter goalscorers in this fine start to the season was Ray Pratt (2), Roy McDonough, John Sims and a Brough own goal.
The result, the best of the season, gave supporters false hopes, for the Grecians eventually finished in 18th place in the Fourth Division, and that included a run of just one win in 16 matches.
Biggest defeat:
Exeter City crashed to a 0-5 defeat at the hands of Southend United on 24th August 1957. The opening home game had attracted a good crowd as well, with 10,234 inside the Park.
It was bad start for the Grecians who went on to win just twice in their opening twelve league games. The season was a disaster as they finished rock bottom of the Third Division South and had to apply for re-election to the Football League.
They also suffered two other heavy defeats, both on the 'road' losing 6-0 at Southampton and worse still, a record equalling defeat, 0-9, at Northampton Town.
Hat-tricks scored:
Only two Exeter City players have netted hat-tricks in the first home league game of the season.
The first was by Henry Poulter in the 5-1 win over Aldershot on 31st August 1935. Poulter didn't sign as a professional until he joined Exeter City from Sunderland in the summer of 1932. Prior to that he had played for the Roker Park club as an amateur, where he featured in three FA Cup ties.
Winger Doug Regan also scored three, in the opening home match against Northampton Town on 21st August 1948. Story has it that Regan went to St James' Park, asked for a trial, and was promptly signed on in 1946, staying at the club to make 206 league appearances and score over 60 goals.
Highest Attendance:
A crowd of 15,078 were present at St James' Park for the visit of Queen's Park Rangers on 23rd August 1952, the game ending 2-2. This was not the highest of the season at the Park though. The average attendance for league matches in season 1952-53 was 10,339.
Lowest Attendance:
Confidence in the team amongst supporters was at a low for the 1994-95 season, and that was reflected in the attendance on 20th August, for the visit of Bury. A paltry 2,164 were present and the majority probably went away at the final whistle even less than enthusiastic about City's chances for the season, as Bury won 4-0.
A look back at the 1st match of the season over the years, since Exeter City were elected to the Third Division in 1920.
Biggest win:
This was achieved on 25th August 1984 when the Grecians won 5-0 against Northampton Town before an attendance of 3,166. There was some dispute afterwards whether the own goal netted by Northampton's Brough, should really have been credited to City's Ray Pratt, which would have given him a hat-trick.
However, the record books show that the Exeter goalscorers in this fine start to the season was Ray Pratt (2), Roy McDonough, John Sims and a Brough own goal.
The result, the best of the season, gave supporters false hopes, for the Grecians eventually finished in 18th place in the Fourth Division, and that included a run of just one win in 16 matches.
Biggest defeat:
Exeter City crashed to a 0-5 defeat at the hands of Southend United on 24th August 1957. The opening home game had attracted a good crowd as well, with 10,234 inside the Park.
It was bad start for the Grecians who went on to win just twice in their opening twelve league games. The season was a disaster as they finished rock bottom of the Third Division South and had to apply for re-election to the Football League.
They also suffered two other heavy defeats, both on the 'road' losing 6-0 at Southampton and worse still, a record equalling defeat, 0-9, at Northampton Town.
Hat-tricks scored:
Only two Exeter City players have netted hat-tricks in the first home league game of the season.
The first was by Henry Poulter in the 5-1 win over Aldershot on 31st August 1935. Poulter didn't sign as a professional until he joined Exeter City from Sunderland in the summer of 1932. Prior to that he had played for the Roker Park club as an amateur, where he featured in three FA Cup ties.
Winger Doug Regan also scored three, in the opening home match against Northampton Town on 21st August 1948. Story has it that Regan went to St James' Park, asked for a trial, and was promptly signed on in 1946, staying at the club to make 206 league appearances and score over 60 goals.
Highest Attendance:
A crowd of 15,078 were present at St James' Park for the visit of Queen's Park Rangers on 23rd August 1952, the game ending 2-2. This was not the highest of the season at the Park though. The average attendance for league matches in season 1952-53 was 10,339.
Lowest Attendance:
Confidence in the team amongst supporters was at a low for the 1994-95 season, and that was reflected in the attendance on 20th August, for the visit of Bury. A paltry 2,164 were present and the majority probably went away at the final whistle even less than enthusiastic about City's chances for the season, as Bury won 4-0.
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