Exeter City to play at the Historic Estádio das Laranjeiras

Fluminense officials have signed an agreement to confirm that they will play Exeter City at Laranjeiras Stadium on 20th July 2014, marking the 100 years of the Brazilian National team’s first ever match at the same stadium in 1914.

The match will kick off at 10.30am local time (2.30pm BST) in Rio de Janeiro. Attendance will be limited due to the stadium no longer being a public arena, so just 600 spectators. Fluminense have now moved to the modernised Maracana, one of the World Cup stadiums.

The Estádio das Laranjeiras is now sometimes used for first team training, and behind-closed-doors practice matches.  The ground is very similar to that Exeter City played at in 1914. The game will kick off the the original football from 1914, that has been carefully preserved by the Fluminense museum.

Fluminense are expected to field a strong side comprised of their multi-title and tournament-winning Under-21 group, plus additional first team squad members, and will present a challenge to City’s predominantly young and inexperienced team.

130 Exeter City fans are expected to be in attendance. The group will be guests at pre- and post-match receptions at the complex and treated to a tour of the club and the museum as well as being a part of an official souvenir photograph to mark the historic day.

Independent travellers have been warned by Exeter City that they will need to be part of the official group to gain entrance to the ground:-

Any persons planning to travel privately and who haven’t already ensured that they are in possession of a formal club entrance voucher to the game should contact Exeter City Football Club immediately.

Fans should also note that there is absolutely no point to approach Fluminense directly for an entrance invitation.  There will be none available from that source and Exeter City fans will be only be accepted as part of the official Exeter City group. 

It should also be noted that Laranjeiras is a private members’ club, more than adequately set up to allow access only to club members and invited guests.  On the day of the 20th, entrance to the stadium will be strictly monitored and Exeter City can take no responsibility for fans without invitations not being able to access the match.

Dilson Motta, Fluminense’s commercial manager signed the letter.  It reads:

It is with great joy that Fluminense FC is welcoming Exeter City’s first team, board members and fans, to celebrate the Brazilian National Team 100 years anniversary.

It is an honor to have your Club in our Stadium again, this time to remember the historical legacy that both institutions proudly built together – to give life to the “Seleção” and to change football’s history permanently… Kindest regards from your brothers in history.