Alan Crockford
Well-known Exeweb poster
Five reasons why thie was one of the great nights to be a Grecian:
1, WE DID IT OURSELVES
We’re well into our second decade of running the club, and this tie has helped us get recognition for it. We’re kind of used to being called ‘in many ways a model club’ but think about it: 7.55pm on prime time BBC and that’s how we - little, scruffy, often hopeless Exeter City - get described. How many watching Prem fans want our credibility? How many crisis stricken clubs want our stability? It should mean the world to us, fellow Grecians. And all this achieved by us working (or arguing and fighting!) off the back of Gnet emails, Exeweb threads and some in-pub plotting early this century. We can’t stop fretting and fussing and running to stand still, because football is ruthlessly competitive, but let’s take this weekend to remember the strides taken together from Conference despair via Old Trafford miracle, Wembley glory, League One high-points, Devon derby wins and a draw against Liverpool to where we find ourselves tonight. And smile!
2. WE’RE NOT GOING BUST
Our finances were looking healthy enough with Grimesy money banked and some decent returns from the FA Cup this season, and now we have a sell out SJP, a big TV payday PLUS a replay at Anfield to help keep us going. Just ask Ivor Doble how well we’re doing to keep a League club bobbing along without needing an enthusiastic rich bloke to keep writing cheques…
3. WE ENTERTAINED THE NATION
A City side with a genuinely good mix of youngsters, 20-somethings and experienced players entertained a peak time BBC audience with some exciting, positive football. And we get a result against one of the greats of world football.
4. WE ALL TALKED WELL
City’s fans - be they celebs, directors or the rank and file - spoke superbly to the media, with passion, pride and common sense. Tis and the players (inc Tommy Nick, again, who’s a superb talker) also showed their character and affection for our club in their media work.
5. AND WE ALL SANG TOGETHER
Well, most of YOU did, as I wasn’t there! But the atmosphere at the ground was brilliant, and it came across so, so well on television. I may be a 44-year-old with a massive mortgage, but at heart I’m still a 14-year-old just wanting the whole world to see how lovely the planet's most wonderful football ground looks and sounds. And tonight, I couldn’t have been more proud. Huge thanks to every one of you who sang, clapped or even banged a bleddy drum. You were glorious.
AND I COULD GO ON...
And I’ve not mentioned our fantastic young players coming through the ranks or the hope that we’ll get the support of the Council for plans to further improve St James Park. (Actually, there’s a thought - could that be our Old Grandstand’s last glory glory night? Not a bad way to begin our fond farewell to the dangerously asbestos filled, freakily green clad old lady.)
We're in a really good place, and tonight showed that to ourselves and a few million others.
Bleddy brilliant City. I'm mighty proud to be a Grecian, and I hope you are too. x
1, WE DID IT OURSELVES
We’re well into our second decade of running the club, and this tie has helped us get recognition for it. We’re kind of used to being called ‘in many ways a model club’ but think about it: 7.55pm on prime time BBC and that’s how we - little, scruffy, often hopeless Exeter City - get described. How many watching Prem fans want our credibility? How many crisis stricken clubs want our stability? It should mean the world to us, fellow Grecians. And all this achieved by us working (or arguing and fighting!) off the back of Gnet emails, Exeweb threads and some in-pub plotting early this century. We can’t stop fretting and fussing and running to stand still, because football is ruthlessly competitive, but let’s take this weekend to remember the strides taken together from Conference despair via Old Trafford miracle, Wembley glory, League One high-points, Devon derby wins and a draw against Liverpool to where we find ourselves tonight. And smile!
2. WE’RE NOT GOING BUST
Our finances were looking healthy enough with Grimesy money banked and some decent returns from the FA Cup this season, and now we have a sell out SJP, a big TV payday PLUS a replay at Anfield to help keep us going. Just ask Ivor Doble how well we’re doing to keep a League club bobbing along without needing an enthusiastic rich bloke to keep writing cheques…
3. WE ENTERTAINED THE NATION
A City side with a genuinely good mix of youngsters, 20-somethings and experienced players entertained a peak time BBC audience with some exciting, positive football. And we get a result against one of the greats of world football.
4. WE ALL TALKED WELL
City’s fans - be they celebs, directors or the rank and file - spoke superbly to the media, with passion, pride and common sense. Tis and the players (inc Tommy Nick, again, who’s a superb talker) also showed their character and affection for our club in their media work.
5. AND WE ALL SANG TOGETHER
Well, most of YOU did, as I wasn’t there! But the atmosphere at the ground was brilliant, and it came across so, so well on television. I may be a 44-year-old with a massive mortgage, but at heart I’m still a 14-year-old just wanting the whole world to see how lovely the planet's most wonderful football ground looks and sounds. And tonight, I couldn’t have been more proud. Huge thanks to every one of you who sang, clapped or even banged a bleddy drum. You were glorious.
AND I COULD GO ON...
And I’ve not mentioned our fantastic young players coming through the ranks or the hope that we’ll get the support of the Council for plans to further improve St James Park. (Actually, there’s a thought - could that be our Old Grandstand’s last glory glory night? Not a bad way to begin our fond farewell to the dangerously asbestos filled, freakily green clad old lady.)
We're in a really good place, and tonight showed that to ourselves and a few million others.
Bleddy brilliant City. I'm mighty proud to be a Grecian, and I hope you are too. x
