This seasons Football Express Cup Final is set to be played at St James Park.

Exeter City have kindly offered to stage the final following a request from the Devon & Exeter League press officer Collin Goodwin. It is exactly 60 (Sixty) years since Collin himself was presented with the trophy at St James Park, as skipper of Newton Poppleford, by Tony Phillips the Express & Echo sports editor.

The Popples defeated Chudleigh Athletic 7-2 in the1964 final. That final was also the 50th Express final and ten years later in 1974 (the 60th final) Collin got a second medal as a member of the Feniton team which defeated St Loyes Hotel 4-1 at Topsham.

As a former Exeter City colts player, and a committee man on the East Devon cups, Collin has persuaded Exeter City to stage this year’s final on Wednesday, May 1, kick-off 7pm, and is hoping to present the trophy himself.

The cup was originally initiated by the Express & Echo and, looking back, the first winners in 1908 were Bovey St Johns, who defeated St Leonards Exeter 2-1 at St James Park as well.

The semi-finals are being played this week. Ex Dons take on Beacon Knights this Wednesday, April 24, with the other semi-final between Otterton and Exeter University 7ths played the following day.

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell said, if available, he will also be at the final.