1. Why you were looking forward to going to the
ground (or not as the case may be):
I’d never been
to Exeter before and
was looking forward to discovering a new town and a new ground.
2.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I arrived
at Exeter St David’s station and followed some directions I’d written down
from Google Map. It was a
straight forward and pleasant 20-25 minute stroll through suburbia and did
not feel like I was going to a match until I arrived outside the
ground.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans
friendly?
I went straight into the ground as I was pushed for time
but compared to other Leeds away games, the locals, police, stewards etc
were all remarkably laid back and non-confrontational. It was certainly a friendly
Devon welcome.
4. What you thought
on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of
the ground?
From TV footage
I knew the away end was a small open terrace but seeing it, was believing
it. Three sides are what
you’d expect from grounds at this level but I was in shock at the size and
poor state of the away section.
5. Comment on the game itself,
atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game felt like a cup tie but was
not enjoyable as we lost and played unexpectedly rubbish. Exeter’s players were more up for it and their fans
were obviously excited at hosting a team like Leeds.
There were problems getting Leeds
fans in and a crush developed just inside the ground near the turnstiles
with the police and stewards not seeming to have any idea how to deal with
it. They also seemed to bring
Leeds fans from the home areas into an
already over-crowded away terrace.
The toilets were the worst I’ve ever seen and it rained heavily in
the 2nd half so all in all this was a game to forget. I was also disappointed by the
'southern' Leeds fans lack of passion and
singing.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the
game:
I managed to
slope off about 30 secs before the final whistle as we were two down and I
needed to get a train. Again
the journey back to the station was easy apart from the torrential
rain.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Exeter seemed like a good place
to spend more pre-match time and take in the city sights. If
Leeds had played well and I hadn’t got
soaked to the skin, I would’ve had a great time. As it is, I really don’t want to
go there again as it means we will not go up. Give me a prawn sandwich at Old
Trafford any day.
