Grimsby v Exeter Preview

The Opposition

It seems The Mariners' curse for having games abandoned like they are Rochdale has finally ended and we all finally get a hit of the sweet stuff as Town take on an Exeter side enjoying the momentum they brought with them from their promotion. Lying 10th in a very top half of the table Exeter could be looking at the real possibility of automatic promotion if they can bring in some consistency. The last time the two teams met it was in the midst of seven games unbeaten for the blokes from the southwest and a Grimsby team still revelling in the appointment of Mike Newell; Exeter’s run was ended swiftly in a 6-1 home defeat against constant moaners Chesterfield, since then Exeter’s form has been sporadic at best with a good run over Christmas seeming to be playing a crucial part in their promotion bid. Either way The Grecians will be one of the toughest tasks The Mariners will face at home this season as Exeter have one of the best away records in the league. We talked to Matthew Hitchcock on the upcoming fixture and also how he sees the Grecians first season back in the football league is going.

Our nickname derides from the name given to those living in the east part of the city. The club was formed in 1904 as Exeter United and St Sidwell merged after a match between the two, we've been playing in the same area since our conception and the club has a great tie the community and surrounding area. We were the first team to ever play against the Brazilian national team in 1914 also played Argentina on the same tour. We were also a founding member of Division 3 in 1920 and have something in common with Grimsby as we both believe green is an unlucky colour to have at the football club apart from the grass of course.

Not bad I must say: great performances, a strong team playing at times some brilliant football and to top it all off a trip to Wembley to win in the play-off final against Cambridge as well as seeing off local rivals Torquay in the semi finals it couldn't have been better.

Getting better and better, we knew we had the facilities to easily stay in the league and push on for League One but this year was all about survival, maintaining stability and looking at what can be improved on and off the pitch. But we've carried the form of last year with us and promotion doesn't sound out of this world now. I'm sure the team can do it it’s where the ones who experienced the same sort of push for the play-offs last year might become invaluable to us.

Hard to say all of us have different opinions but for me it’s Flacky Steve Flack who joined us in 1997 from Cardiff and spent nearly a decade with us. Every club has a player who represents the very essence of the club on the pitch you guys have been lucky with Tony Ford and John McDermott but this guy stayed with us through thick and thin. We had some big offers for him from Hull and Brizzle Rovers but he turned them all down. He seemed to score for fun and the crowd loved him. He works locally and plays local football in the area now too.

How far away! I'm all for history but do I have to spend my entire weekend travelling the Fosse Way?! I've been once but not with Exeter, I went to see a game against Chesterfield earlier this year which you lost. Seems nice enough, would be a good weekend in the summer with the seaside right next door. One of the few remaining old style grounds with pylons for foodlights sticking up over the rows of terraces.

I'm not sure I love telling everyone about the Brazil bit, which gets skeptical gazes from most. I was proud of the guys at Wembley - to go was an amazing experience, first team to go twice I believe? League wise we have been small time players but had a few good scalps in the cups here and there who could forget the draw against Man U.

Orange? We have a great chance of going to League One this year and if we could do that it would all be about building a future the ground needs reconstructing and to be able to attract the community from the vast swathes of the population around the city. With hardly any competition from other teams if we could just somehow get them interested we could be on to a real winner but I'm sure most lower league clubs say that.

Gerry Francis, Lee Sharpe, David Pleat and Peter Taylor have all played in the red and white not bad eh?

I like Matty Gill he is a dynamo in midfield and will cause you a lot of problems he was League Two player of the month in September and even though he was the first player to ever get sent off at the new Wembley I think he’s brilliant.

Its going to be miserable isn't it you lot are on a good run The supporters coach will get stranded in snow it will take 4 weeks to get there and back and we will probably lose a dull game in the last minute by a stupid mistake.

Grimsby Town 1-0 Exeter City

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Town have an excellent record at Blundell Park where they have won 10 out of 14 games against Exeter.

P 29 W13 D 6 L 10F45 A 41

Exeter Head-to-Head (not on The Opposition Ladder)

Last Meeting

Exeter 0 Grimsby (Sat 18th Oct 2008)

A boring game but a creditable point.

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