We have to think smart and do things a bit differently to compete with the big boys

Julian Tagg is the Club president and director of external affairs of Exeter City FC

Things are usually busy here at Exeter City, but this November seems even more crazy than normal, both on and off the pitch – whatever normal is...

We’re in the middle of six matches in a row against the top six clubs in the league, we’ve got cup games, Academy matches, and lots of community activity, as we head into the festive season.

We’ve ticked off two of those big six, with a draw against Lincoln City and a loss at Wrexham.

All credit to the 1,200 plus supporters who made the eight-hour round trip to the Welsh town.

We pick ourselves up and go again – this time it was Birmingham City at home, which saw the return of Jay Stansfield to SJP – and the game was looking like it will be a sell-out, with tickets selling fast.

There aren’t that many opposition players who are well received by the SJP massive, but Jay and his family have been so special for Exeter City, that I know he will have received a very warm welcome… I’m sure I had something in my eye at the last game he played for us, when he scored that amazing hat-trick.

Jay is just one of a growing list of players who have come through our Academy and gone onto greater things. Whether it’s Ollie Watkins scoring for England or Ethan Ampadu captaining Leeds United, our Academy is something special and has always been essential to our model at Exeter City, and although my role at the club has changed in recent years.

I’ll always use my influence to promote the Academy and shout its praises from the rooftops. And it’s been a very productive week for our youth teams with our under-21s beating Norwich City 1-0 in the Premier League Cup and under-18s beating Dunstable a fantastic 4-0 in the FA Youth Cup. Well done to our future stars!

As a supporter-owned club we don’t have the huge financial resources of the big clubs, like Birmingham and Wrexham, so we have to think smart and do things a bit differently to compete with the big boys.

The most recent initiative has been a pitch-side TV screen, so players can immediately watch recordings of their training. The screen has been placed in an adapted kiosk, fondly nicknamed ‘the burger van’ – which explains now why Sweenz is always first in the queue…

Our partner charity, Exeter City Community Trust, continue to do their amazing work in the community.

This week they launched a community consultation around potential plans for improving and upgrading facilities at the King George V Playing Fields on Topsham Road.

The team is working in partnership with Exeter City Council to explore options for the future of the 40-acre site.

And it has launched a public consultation to ensure the views of the entire community are heard as part of the planning process.

Just take a look out of the window this week, whether it was snow or torrential rain, it shows how necessary an all-weather surface is at the playing fields, meaning people of all ages, from three to 83, can access it all year round. You can find out more and have your say by visiting the project’s website at www.kgvexeter.com.

Being able to lead on a project like this, which could secure the playing fields for many generations to come and support the health and wellbeing of our community, not to mention the possibility of another academy star, is just another reflection on the position of our club and charity in the community.

We always aim to assist and help where we can, and this is just one of many, many activities currently being delivered by the charity’s team in Greater Exeter.

Another activity is the planning for the city centre Santa Run which takes place on Sunday, December 1. It’s always a brilliant family event, with people – and festive dogs – of all ages taking part. I’ll be there for the event, just got to find my trainers, white beard and red suit…

Exeter City Community Trust has always had a fantastic relationship with Exeter College, who we have recently supported with the use of the Fountain Centre at SJP, where we’re working with them to deliver sessions to their students.

I was also a guest at the College’s graduation ceremony at Exeter Cathedral, when it was an honour to represent both the club and our charity.

Congratulations to the Exeter City Women, who beat Argyle Women 5-1 this Sunday to go through to the next round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

They are currently fourth in the league and in fine form. Their next match sees them playing at Coach Road, Newton Abbot, against Lewes FC on December 15 – get along and enjoy a game!

As for the men, our next home games are Chesterfield in the next round of the FA Cup, on Saturday November 30, Wycombe Wanderers on December 3, and Barnsley on December 14. See you at SJP – Up the City!