Exeter City's Remarkable Climb to League One Summit Fueled by Fan Power, Shrewd Investments, and Unbreakable Unity

League One is highly competitive, boasting renowned clubs such as Derby County and Portsmouth who have been crowned champions of England. Notably, Bolton, a four-time FA Cup winner, currently holds the second position. Moreover, five other former Premier League teams are vying for success in the lower tier of English football.

However, leading the pack is Exeter City, a team striving for their inaugural inclusion in the country's top two divisions. Having endured a five-season absence from the Football League in the 2000s, this fan-owned club now ambitiously dreams of achieving a remarkable promotion.

"We are up against teams that have the ability to spend a large sum of money," remarks Julian Tagg to We. "It remains uncertain whether we will be able to reach the end of the season. However, currently, we are experiencing a significant moment. If we manage to make it to the end, it would be truly remarkable."

Tagg, the president of Exeter, understands the true extent of how remarkable this would be, as he was present at the outset of this journey. It has been two decades since the Exeter City Supporters' Trust acquired the Grecians. The situation was dire, with a starting debt of £4.8m," he recalls.

Given the disastrous financial position we were in at the start, I couldn't have imagined a more favorable outcome. We were unable to compensate the players or the manager, and the journey has been filled with both successes and failures. When considering where we started, it is truly remarkable how far we have come. However, it is important to acknowledge that there are still obstacles ahead.

"It is akin to a perpetual treadmill, ceaselessly in motion. However, there are occasions when this treadmill becomes ensconced within a pressure cooker." Nonetheless, Exeter's resilience prevails. "Perhaps it is the invigorating air of Devonshire. That anthem, 'We may endure setbacks, but we resiliently rise again'. Those words perfectly encapsulate our identity. We refuse to yield."

The pride emanates from the indomitable spirit, pride stemming from the chosen path, and pride originating from the unique ownership structure. "There exists an exceptionally democratic process. One can ascend to the boardroom. Quite literally. Each club is akin to a family, and this particular one is family-owned."

None of this explains the current situation. Exeter is currently at the top of League One, and there is a possibility of extending their lead to three points with a victory on Saturday. While they have had off-field success, the surprise lies in their on-field performance. When this thought is shared with Tagg, he agrees, saying "You and me both."

Exeter has been more successful than most with their managers. They started with a firefighting approach under Eamonn Dolan and achieved back-to-back promotions under Paul Tisdale. The club has also become known for developing talented players like Ollie Watkins and Ethan Ampadu.

In 2022, Matt Taylor led the team to a promotion back to League One, which was a significant achievement. However, when he left for Rotherham United in October, Gary Caldwell was appointed as the new manager. Despite this change, the team still managed to finish in the middle of the table, proving their ability to adapt. Gary Caldwell, who won the double with Celtic as a player and the FA Cup with Wigan, also won the League One title as a manager with Wigan.

Our current manager brings valuable experience from playing and managing at a higher level. Under his leadership, we have reached unprecedented heights, achieving the highest level of success in the club's history. This achievement is a testament to our deliberate and focused approach to identifying and fulfilling the necessary requirements as the club continues to evolve.

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Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell has embraced the challenge at St James Park

The Exeter City of 2023 exemplifies this evolution and organic growth. Their new training ground, which they relocated to earlier this year, is proof of this progress. The planning for this move began back in 2014, highlighting one of the few drawbacks of trust ownership: the slower process. Nevertheless, they persevere and achieve their goals.

The investment has consistently fostered a positive cycle of growth for Exeter. The installation of a 3G pitch in 2017 undoubtedly contributed to their ability to attract and nurture talented players. Previously, there was no longer a need to travel 20 miles for training simply because the weather conditions had rendered the field too wet. Tagg explains, "We were no longer restricted by environmental factors obstructing our training sessions.

From a professional standpoint, the utilization of the pitch by young players and the preparation of our team have played a significant role in our advancement. This has led to the development and subsequent sale of players, allowing for reinvestment of the generated funds.

Currently, I am situated in a building that was constructed for £3m. This establishment has radically improved the working environment for both players and staff. In close proximity lies a cafeteria where a chef prepares meals for our players upon their arrival. It is worth mentioning that not too long ago, players were obliged to take the team's kit home in order to wash it.

Exeter will continue to sell players as they undergo squad changes. Sam Nombe, who was the leading goal scorer last season, was recently transferred to Rotherham, managed by Taylor, just before the deadline. It is estimated that the transfer fee was around £1 million. Prior to this, Josh Key had already departed for Swansea. Additionally, several other players have also left, with some declining the opportunity for new contracts. As a result, there has been a significant overhaul in the team, essentially necessitating a fresh start for Exeter.

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Exeter has successfully discovered a fresh group of players, as they consistently do. Marcus Flitcroft, the esteemed head of recruitment, has impressively excelled in his role while Caldwell has leveraged his extensive network. Of notable significance, Alex Hartridge stands out as one of six talented youth-team products who have already made a significant impact this season.

The manager's endorsement of the club has left a lasting impression on everyone. He acknowledges the necessity of selling players when we may not desire to do so. Furthermore, he recognizes the importance of promoting young talents as it significantly impacts the club's budget.

Ryan Trevitt has flourished during his loan spell from Brentford. Reece Cole, who joined from Hayes & Yeading during the summer, secured a crucial victory against Reading with his goal. Additionally, recent additions to St James Park include Tom Carroll, a former midfielder for Tottenham, and Ilmari Niskanen, a Finnish international.

"Now we have internationals here," laughs Tagg.

"That is a new one for us,"

Exeter's Big Bank offers a unique fan experience, as its attendance continues to increase. While the city's rugby union team achieved European champion status in 2020, another sporting institution, which is also fan-owned, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. It could be argued that Exeter's rise should not be seen as miraculous but rather attributed to its organic growth.

The government is highly interested in our activities. Is it not the model we have? We are putting in immense effort to maintain sustainability while remaining competitive. The task is not becoming any easier, so let's not pretend otherwise. However, we have discovered something that is effective.

In the beginning, I was uncertain if all the fans comprehended. It is understandable as to why they wouldn't. However, they now understand, and that makes a significant impact. Everyone in football desires instant success, but the fans are actively involved in the journey and genuinely feel like they are part of it.

Being at the summit of the league is merely a delightful addition. What are the limits of their success? How much longer can this streak persist? Tagg possesses a practical outlook. Although the force of gravity may come into play, there are still incremental advantages to be uncovered. "We have made remarkable progress, yet there is room for further enhancement. We must continue to search for methods to attain that additional small percentage," he remarks.

"The advantage of bigger clubs lies in the depth of their squad—this is a known fact. However, who can say for certain? The new manager is certainly making his mark. The excellence of our performance on the field speaks for itself. The future looks promising, painted in the colors of red and white.

"And those roots were firmly embedded in the past."