Exeter City Football Club

Exeter City were founded in 1901 and have played at St James Park in the heart of the city for their entire existence. The Grecians hold a unique distinction in English professional football: since 2003, the club has been majority-owned by the Exeter City Supporters' Trust, making them one of the most prominent fan-owned clubs in the country. The Trust model — democratic, transparent, and community-focused — has been widely praised and has consistently ranked Exeter at the top of fan engagement indices.

St James Park, with its capacity of around 8,500, sits in the shadow of Exeter Cathedral and provides one of the most picturesque settings in English football. The club made history in 1914 when they undertook a tour of South America, playing against the Brazilian national team — believed to be one of the first matches between a European and South American side. More recently, Exeter reached the FA Cup third round in 2005 while still a non-league club, drawing 0-0 with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The 2020s have been a period of sustained achievement. Matt Taylor led the club to the League Two title in 2021-22, securing promotion to League One. The Grecians have maintained their third-tier status since, establishing themselves as a competitive mid-table side. Gary Caldwell succeeded Taylor but departed in February 2026 to join Wigan Athletic, prompting the return of Taylor as interim manager for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. With over 6,000 Trust members and a clear governance structure, Exeter City continue to demonstrate that fan ownership and on-pitch ambition are not mutually exclusive.