Posted on 13th September 2023
Exeter City, the fan-owned club who were saved by their supporters when the club was in crisis in 2003, have repaid the long-term interest free loan provided by the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust (ECST).
Exeter City: Celebrating 20 years of fan ownership
Exeter City recently marked the 20th anniversary of becoming a supporter-owned club and the FSA was invited along to the League One side’s celebratory dinner, where we were represented by our community-owned club network manager Richard Irving and head of supporter engagement and governance Ashley Brown. Here chair of the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust Nick Hawker tells us more about the successes of the last 20 years…
This September the Exeter City AFC Supporters’ Society Ltd (the ‘trust’) celebrate 20 years of supporter ownership. Naturally, there are numerous activities and events planned to honour and thank all of those who have been on the journey with us, who have and continue to contribute positively to our success. And we have been successful.
Success can be determined in so many ways – through financial performance, community engagement and above all else, performance on the pitch.
Whilst the trust are very clearly the legal majority shareholders of the club, the ownership model involves and requires a collaboration of people and organisations.
⏮️ On this day 2️⃣0️⃣ years ago:
💍 A couple of Trust members walked into Ivor Doble’s Jewellers shop, with £30,000 and the dream of owning a football club.
📈 Today @OfficialECFC sit top of League One, with a renovated SJP and a brand new training ground.
❤️ Thank you to… pic.twitter.com/AYq8kyUIFi
— Exeter City Supporters’ Trust (@ECFCST) September 5, 2023
After years in League Two, during which we constructed a new grandstand, away end, and training facility, we have frequently been asked if the club, under its current ownership has reached its peak… the best answer to which is getting promoted, which we duly did in 2021-22.
The club and trust will continue to evolve and grow through dedicated volunteers, experts who give their skills free of charge for our benefit, and a steady stream of trustees, drawn from the membership who do not seek to run the club, but to guide and determine the ethos under which it is.
Community and supporters first, sustainability critical, and strong ethics at our core.
