It's been a funny old couple of weeks without football due to the international break – (what does everyone do on a Saturday, if they’re not at the match!?)

Having players called up to their national teams is certainly not a problem we’ve had to face in the past and we’ve followed them with interest – we’re pleased to welcome them back, though.

I loved seeing the guys training with Lympstone Boxing Club – thanks to the club for being so accommodating. It brought to mind quotes from the great Muhammed Ali – to see the team ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’ – apart from Sweenz, of course, who seemed to have garnered a new nickname.

I couldn’t understand why the team were calling him Rembrandt, and then I realised – it’s because he spent so much time on the canvas…

The Wigan match on Sunday wasn’t to be, there was a nail-biting period later in the second half when it looked like we were going to equalise, but we just couldn’t get it in the net. In the 94th minute they scored a very lucky second, putting the game to bed.

And just like buses, you wait for one, and two come along at once. Saturday’s match was the first time we’ve played Wigan since 1997 and we get to play them again in a week or so as the weird old FA Cup draw has paired us against the Lactics for the first round, which will take place at SJP on Saturday November 4.

It's been a challenging period, but I get to spend quite a bit of time with Gary and this phrase epitomises the man, who has indeed won the FA Cup, ‘it’s not about how hard you can get hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward’ and that is an attribute he has in abundance. So, we dust ourselves down and we go again!

The Supporters’ Trust is holding its Trust board elections. It really is a great example of democracy in action – if you’re a Supporters’ Trust member make sure you use your vote. You can find more information on the Trust’s website – www.weownexetercityfc.co.uk

Our partner charity, Exeter City Community Trust are continuing to deliver their fantastic work in the community. Amongst their activities are a full parasports programme, the most they have ever delivered, which provides sessions for hundreds of people of all ages across Devon.

From the Ability Counts team, who are flying high in their league, to the Deaf football team, they continue to focus on providing activity for the whole of our community. They’ve also got the first of their new season of running events, the Halloween five and ten mile races which take place down on the Quay on Sunday, October 29. Dress up and take part, or go along and watch, as witches, wizards and ghosts take to the paths beside the River Exe. More information here: www.exetercct.org

Talking of Halloween, tickets are now sold out for our Carabao Cup match against Middlesbrough on October 31 – it promises to be a genuine Halloween thriller.

And if it is thrillers you are after, then get along to an Exeter City Women game. The team has made a fantastic start to the season and beat Torquay United’s women’s team 7-0 on Sunday to put them in the first round of the women’s FA Cup. This was on the back of a 6-1 win against Southampton Women last week.

It’s been a perfect start for them, winning all seven of the seven league matches they’ve played. The team plays at Exwick Sports Hub on a Sunday afternoon and the next home match is against Keynsham Town on November 5 at 2pm – it’s a great afternoon of football, so go along and support if you can.

We’ve got a lot of exciting games in quick succession, make sure you get your tickets. Look forward to seeing you at St James Park very soon!

Julian Tagg
Exeter City Club President