After a successful trial, Manfy Sharpe joined the Exeter City Centre of Excellence for Girls at the age of nine.

Spending her school years playing for local sides Exmouth and Brixington Blues, Manfy would study a BTEC in Sport as part of the emerging College partnership with Exeter City Football Club, participating in the Club's Futsal team during her studies.

After a Trophy laden spell at Exeter Tedburn, Manfy responded to the call for players to join the Grecians in 2016 and has been ever present since.

During her time at City, Manfy has been part of the title winning side of 2019, played in the highly successful and well attended County Cup tie against Buckland Athletic at St James Park, and now captains the team. Had it not been for recent interventions in fixture scheduling, Manfy would have reached over 100 appearances for the team, scoring two goals from her defensive role.

As the women's section at Exeter City has progressed in recent years, Manfy is a player who has been synonymous with that growth. “I have developed immensely from when I first signed, I am a completely different player to then. I want to be the best player I can be and Exeter City helps me achieve that. The coaching staff are immense and they do everything to bring the best out in a player, I am thankful to them for the development I have made.”

With a hunger to improve and a pride to wear the shirt of a Club she supports, Manfy Sharpe is a name that has helped move the women's team more in to the focus of Exeter City supporters. Manfy's desire to achieve further success in the years to come points to the team having the perfect captain for the challenges ahead.

In November 2019, Manfy was interviewed and said the following,

"We, as a Women’s team, are really lucky to have the backing of the club that many Women’s teams don’t have. From posts on the social media account, having our photo’s done in the same facilities as the first team and hearing about our fixtures over the tannoy on game days at SJP, it makes us feel really involved with the club. I think Exeter is a forward thinking club with things like the annual Women’s day at SJP and “Lexi” the Lion, they are really supportive of women in football”

“I would like to continue playing and improving with Exeter City for quite a while and building myself with the team. I really enjoy the setup here, I don’t think I’d get the support and coaching that I get at Exeter City anywhere else. I am ambitious to be the best I can be and I think I will achieve that here.”

By the end of 2019/20, Manfy had played nearly 80 league games for Exeter. 

During the 2nd National lockdown in November 2020 due the pandemic the team produced some articles from players about players entitled.

"Our New Lockdown Series Starts"

Manfy’s  replies were:-

Quickest Player: Meg, blink and she's down the other end of the pitch

Not so Quickest: Myself, move like I am an OAP

Best Trainer: Sasha, so focused

Most intelligent: Steph, seems to be able to talk in depth about anything

Most Skilful: Hope, takes on five players and squares it for someone to tap

Team Joker: Manfy, hilarious but savage

Worst Taste in Music: Manfy, not necessarily the worst but the same stuff week in week out

Most Likely to Moan: Zoe. Keeps Clive on his toes

Who gets the most fines: Must be Manfy as she never seems to have any cash to buy a can of Coke after the game

A Last Minute Penalty to Win the League, who takes it? Ella Mae, never miss

Who would be in your 5-Aside Team: Me, Meg Lightfoot, Manfy, Phoebe Baker and Anthea

Most likely to get booked: Abbie, clearly so passionate it gets mistaken

At the End of Season Awards for 21/22, Manfy won the :- 
Exeter City Community Trust PFA in the Community Champion. 

Manfy played her 150th game for Exeter City WFC against Portishead on the 11th October 2023.

Playing Record

Exeter City Women’s Captain Manfy Sharpe has departed the Grecians after nine years in red and white.

Signing in 2015, Sharpe would win the Player of the Year award in 2017 following the team’s rise to the top of the South West Premier Division. Victory over Keynsham Town at Speeds Meadow, Cullompton, would see Sharpe and the Grecians enter tier four of Women’s football for the first time with the Exmouth based defender taking on the captain’s arm band for the first time following the 2019 title success.

Sharpe would lift her first trophy as captain following football’s return from COVID-19, a 2-1 Devon County Cup victory over Plymouth Argyle seeing the Grecians claim Devon’s top title for the first time in six years.

An FA Cup fifth round appearance followed for the team in 2022, before narrowly missing out on promotion to Cardiff City Ladies in 2023. However, Sharpe would end her time as a Grecian in the best way possible, lifting a County Cup and League double as City gained promotion to tier three for the first time in the club’s history.

Sharpe's impact on the women’s team at Exeter City far extends her on field talent, with her generous and affable nature making her a favourite among young supporters. 

Sharpe would collect the PFA in the Community Award in successive seasons from 2021-23 for her work in the City and within promoting girls football. From visiting schools, youth teams or acts of kindness, Sharpe has been a key factor in the growth of Women’s football at Exeter City and has led the team with pride and distinction. 

With 173 appearances, Manfy Sharpe is a name synonymous with Exeter City’s Women’s team and will leave a strong legacy both for herself and those that follow her.

Everyone at Exeter City extends their heartfelt gratitude to Manfy for her commitment to her club, her teammates, and her community, and she will forever be ingrained in the history of the football club. We all wish her the very best for her future endeavours, wherever that may be. 

Thank you Manfy. 

Women's first team manager Abbie Britton said: 

Manfy has been an incredible servant to this football club for so many years and she leaves the club with our best wishes and sincere gratitude for everything she has done on and off the pitch over her time, especially as a fantastic captain.

Abbie Britton

"She will leave a lasting legacy behind her which shouldn’t be underestimated."

"This is transitional, but exciting, period for the women’s team and Manfy felt it was the right time for her to take on a new challenge and the next step in her career."

A message from Manfy:

"It is with sadness that I have made this very difficult decision, but unfortunately and regretfully my time as a Grecian has come to an end. When I signed for Exeter City Women nine years ago, I would never have believed the journey we have been on would look quite how it has. I did not expect to buy in so deeply for this club and the ethos. 

"The culture was something I became entirely invested in .  From competing my first season at 20 years old and not winning a game that season and suffering relegation to eight years later competing in the same league, going unbeaten and winning promotion to the third tier for the first time in the club’s history.   It all came down to trusting the process.

Leading this team and wearing the badge so close to my heart every week has been a complete honour and I have made memories and friends I will cherish for a lifetime.   I am eternally grateful and want to thank all the amazing people I have met along the way that have given me opportunity, guidance and support. You have all helped me grow as a player and a person. 

"Inevitably all I’ve ever wanted to do when playing football is to enjoy it, make my family proud and inspire young girls to believe in themselves. All of which I feel I have achieved here.   I have no idea what’s next for me, but If it’s something even a fraction close to how good this has been then I know I’ll be happy. 

"Once a Grecian, always a Grecian. Your number 5 ❤️"

"Captain. Legend. Teammate. Friend. The list goes on... No words will do you justice. Thank you for absolutely everything you've done for this club and me personally since I joined let alone the last few years. My CB, always will be!"

Abbi Bond July 2024

"Two league titles, three county cups and the leader of a team that has reshaped how women’s football is viewed in the City. Your off field generosity and on field competitiveness leaves an undisputed legacy at ECFC. Be proud of all you have achieved"

David Gribble July 2024

"There are some days in football when the joy for the game is tinged with a sadness..today is one of those. If my life depended on a tackle being won to save it, it would be you to save it. Manfy every time! Will miss you."

Geo July 2024