I have never
been to Exeter before and was looking forward to
discovering a new town and a new ground and add to my total of 80 grounds
so far.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car
parking?
I departed Barnet (Herts) travelled by tube to Paddington
for the Exeter train and arrived at Exeter St David's station,
then changed for the St James Park, which is right outside the
ground, what a breeze. As I departed the train at the ground several
homes fans approached informing me that I could enter the clubs own
bar for a drink if I wished.
3. What you did before the game
pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?
I went straight to the
adjacent pub, the locals were very friendly the beer was good whilst at a
reasonable price. We where joined by Huddersfield's chairman, club
secretary and commercial director for a drink. The police and stewards etc
were all laid back, 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 your
web page I was aware the away end was a small open terrace, the view
was not the best but hey you cannot expect the club to modernise this
until the have completed the other stands. Two of the sides were relatively
new and adequate for this division.
5. Comment on the game itself,
atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game played like a cup tie,
as they needed the win to avoid relegation and we required a win to have a
slight chance of automatic promotion. We scored first on 2 mins but
ended up losing 2-1 you never wish to see your team lose but was glad
for Exeter to stay up. Given
the importance of the match it was virtually a full house which added to
the atmosphere. The Town fans sang their hearts out for the lads and
gave a good reception to Marcus Stewart one of our former
greats. The toilets were some of the worst ever, took ages to
line up. The expected showers for the day never materialised
which was good for us given that it is an open
terrace.
6. Comment on
getting away from the ground after the game:
After exiting
the ground the few Exeter fans who had not stopped for the lap of honour
by their players (last match of season) all wished us the very best of
luck in the play off's against Millwall, we all wished them well on
winning and staying the division and hope all the best for next
season.
The return
journey was just as good as coming, there was quite a few Exeter fans on
the train back to Paddington, all wished us well for the coming play-off
games.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great day out, would have liked
us to win, only down side was that I did'nt stay for the
weekend. Very friendly fans just wish others in the
division were as good. Although I would go again, it would mean
we failed to win the play-off's.
Bob
Farrell,
Huddersfield Town fan,
now living in
Barnet.
