Exe building both on and off the fied

The Chiefs have made a decent start to their second premiership campaign, with 3 wins out of 6, 15 points, and 5th in the table - more importantly, most of the games, even the losses (Saints aside), have represented improvements in performance from last year. With the returning Mitchell, Camacho and the ligind Budgie to add further depth, hopefully that trend will continue, altho savvy DoR Rob Baxter will only want to be judged at the end of the season. A top half of the table finish would be great this year, but may be a year or two off just yet.

Off the pitch, Exe are moving their club forward too. The fan-owned Chiefs have seen a massive increase in turnover, and posted a decent profit after their first AP year, one of v few clubs to do so. Additionally financing will be raised, possibly thru a part flotation (without turning over control tho), to turn Sandy Park into a 20,000 capacity stadium (in stages), capable of hosting the biggest club matches (in the Heino) and possibly international games too. Onwards and upwards: Exe AGM. On top of that, our 2 academies are flourishing, with a host of youngsters representing England (nearly the entire U18 backline), and plans for additional improved training facilities. Happy days

An excellent show of how a Championship club should be run and turned into a Premiership outfit. Now the Chiefs are following the example of Tigers and utilising equity options to gradually extend the stadium at a sustainable rate. An excellent job being done down at Sandy Park, the academy news shows a bright future for you guys as well.

Sam, I think your analogy is a good one, I suspect Tony Rowe and co have studied all the different models being used in English rugby, and it's not entirely surprising that they're following yours

Exe really are the blueprint for success for newly promoted and indeed established teams. All very deserved too. The strong academy will be vital in the next few years and with a genuine long term vision in place, they should find in much easier to keep the promising youngsters than say Newcastle.

Its interesting to read about the plans to expand the stadium, a 20,000 stadium would be a world away from the old County ground!

Bathman_in_London wrote:Exe really are the blueprint for success for newly promoted and indeed established teams. All very deserved too. The strong academy will be vital in the next few years and with a genuine long term vision in place, they should find in much easier to keep the promising youngsters than say Newcastle.

Its interesting to read about the plans to expand the stadium, a 20,000 stadium would be a world away from the old County ground!

True, Bathman, but there was a certain jenny-say-kwoi about squelching around in the treacle!!

Thats excellent I'm looking forward to seeing you break into HEC soon.

Looking forward to taking you to SP, Staggy, even if it is just to see us wipe the floor with Newport!!!

Ah sure any bunch of mongrels could beat that lot. You've had two Munster men in your midst recently - which has of couse contributed to your rise in stature.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:Exe really are the blueprint for success for newly promoted and indeed established teams. All very deserved too. The strong academy will be vital in the next few years and with a genuine long term vision in place, they should find in much easier to keep the promising youngsters than say Newcastle.

Its interesting to read about the plans to expand the stadium, a 20,000 stadium would be a world away from the old County ground!

True, Bathman, but there was a certain jenny-say-kwoi about squelching around in the treacle!!

By that I presume you mean the gents?! Still if you miss that sort of thing theres always the rec!

Ha, ha! No, I just meant wading ankle deep thru the mud that was such a feature of the place

There's a lot to like about the club, good luck to them.