Since the 2016-17 season, Exeter City has been in and around playoffs, Reaching league two playoffs in 2 of the last three years.

Considering the fact that they could have reached playoffs all three times if they won against Forest Green Rovers on final match day of the 2018-19 season, we can say, with a bit of luck they could be a league one team right now.

But the fact of the matter is they are still in League two and they have to compete against their bitter rival Plymouth Argyle, who still have a quality squad from League one and Bradford City, Salford City whose spending has made them the top three favorites this season.

The Grecians can be proud of the quality of their football from last season and hope that continues.

Even after losing their long term manager Paul Tisdale and their star striker Jayden Stockley they were able to be in and around Playoff spots last season. But 2019-20 campaign comes with its own set of problems for the greeks.

They have lost their first choice goal keeper in Christy Pym who managed to keep 14 clean sheets for them. Along with him, they have let go of James Hamon, Felix Norman which means that their new signing Lewis Ward is the only Goalkeeper on books at the club.

Hiram Boateng is another big name to leave the club this summer. He had 7 assists in 27 games last season. The club brought in Nigel Atangana who can play in the same positions as Boateng.

Other players released by the club are Center back Luke Croll, Defender Jimmy Oates, Midfielder Max Smallcombe.

Exeter City Manager

Matt Taylor is the current manager at the club and took over the reins from Paul Tisdale, A man who was the manager of Exeter City for more than 12 years.

His first signing Nicky Law had an amazing season for The Grecians in 2018-19 scoring 10 goals and setting up 5 more for his teammates. That shows he is the right man for the job.

Matt Taylor was at the club from 2007-2011 as a player and after retirement joined the U-23 setup as a manager at Devon-based club.

He must have learned ins and out of the league last season and would surely be better equipped for the season than he was at the beginning of last season.

He is also a well-educated man having a completed Bachelors degree from Sheffield Hallam University in Sports Development and Coaching, and Masters Degree in Coaching Science from Hartpury College.

Exeter City 2019-20 New Signings

As we have mentioned above Exeter City is short on Goalkeepers and Quality strikers. They have signed four players on permanent deals till now. Their new signings are as follows.

Nigel Atangana

French-born 29-year-old Midfielder, Nigel Atangana has established himself as a proven entity at League Two level. He has played the last five seasons in league two representing Portsmouth, Leyton Orient, and Cheltenham Town.

In 2018-19 season, He started well for Cheltenham Town scoring twice in first 26 fixtures but missed the second part of the season due to Achilles injury.

Hopefully he can recover from the injury and get back to his form from 2018-19 season.

Tom Parkes

Tom Parkes is a 27-year-old Center back who made 277 appearances in league Two. he came through the ranks at Leicester city academy.

While still at Leicester he won 2 promotions in four season with Burton Albion as a loan player.

After Leaving Leicester city he was in books of Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, and Carlisle United. He is a 6 foot 3 defender, who is good with the ball at his feet.

Tom Parkes decided not to sign with his former club Carlisle United even after being offered a long term deal. he will undoubtedly be a quality addition to The Grecians defense.

Lewis Ward

With departure of Christy Pym, James Hamon, and Felix Norman from the club there is no doubt in saying Goalkeeping position is a priority for the club in transfer market.

While Lewis Ward might not be a guaranteed starter, he will undoubtedly be a strong contender for the spot. He is a product of the Reading Academy.

While at Reading he has been on loan at Hungerford Town, Aldershot Town, Northampton Town, and Forest Green Rovers.

In 2018-19 season Lewis Ward spent the first half of the season at Northampton Town but was unable to make a break into the first team only making 4 appearances with the club in EFL Trophy.

But in the second half, He Forest Green Rovers joined and kept 5 clean sheets in 12 games. Interestingly James Montgomery replaced him for the last four games.

It will be interesting to see what squad status he gets under Matt Taylor. He is only 22 which means he has a long career ahead of him and let’s hope it is with Exeter City.

Alex Fisher

Alex Fisher is a journeyman in a true sense having played in Spain, Belgium Italy, Scotland, and England. He has been spent his time at Oxford, Mansfield, Torquay, Yeovil Town, Inverness, and Motherwell in Uk.

The 28-Year-old English man was a product of Oxford Academy. He is a hardworking Center forward with a good work ethic and good aerial ability.

Fisher was top goalscorer for now relegated Yeovil Town in league two last season. He scored 7 goals in 40 appearances in the 2018-19 season.

Gary Warren

Gary Warren is a Veteran English Center back who has played most of his career in the Scottish Premier League and Scottish championship Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

He is known for his aggressive, tough tackling playing style and Joins The Grecians from League Two rivals Yeovil Town.

He will bring his 9-year pro experience to the Exeter City dressing room. Last year he was in Yeovil Town books and captained them on 4 occasions.

The Englishman made 26 appearances for The Glovers last season but was unable to save them from Relegation to the National League as they finished bottom of the league.

The friendship between him and their Alex Fisher is well documented. They know each other from their time at Inverness and Yeovil Town.

Nicky Ajose

Nicky Ajose is a 27-Year-Old Versatile Forward/Midfielder who predominantly plays as Center forward but can also play on both wings, as Second Striker, Attacking midfielder, Central Midfielder.

He is 5’8” tall and is known for his pace and his penalty taking ability.

He has scored 95 goals and created 33 more in his 313 professional career. He is a product of Manchester United academy and represented England at U-16, U-17 levels.

Ajose began last season at Charlton Athletic but only managed to make 9 appearances in the first half of the campaign. In the second half, he joined Mansfield Town and scored 2 goals and created 3 more from 10 appearances.

He missed final third of last season as he needed cartilage operation. But managed to recover for playoffs Semi-final and was substituted on for final 15 minutes of second semifinal clash for Mansfield Town against Newport County.

In the tie deciding penalties, he scored as the first first penalty taker.

Fans and Away Journey

Exeter City is owned by Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, making them one of a few community-owned clubs. They had an average attendance of 4,343 last season. Fans are proud of red and white and hate green for obvious reasons.

Exeter City fans have to travel 4845 miles if they want to attend all away matches, which means an average of 210.5 miles.

The longest trip for them will be the Carlisle United match for which they have to make a 347-mile trip.

Exeter City 2019-20 Odds

Exeter City 2019-20 Fixtures