UPDATE 11/09/23: Saturday 16th Sept is new student arrival weekend at the University of Exeter. St James’ Park is located in a major student residential area - traffic is likely to be busier than usual and parking in the vicinity of the ground might well be more of a challenge. There is one residential block of student accommodation right next to the ground.

FURTHER UPDATE 15/09/23: Confirmation of details for tomorrow from Exeter City:

Entertainment:

Lez the Fez strolling though SJP with his table magic and balloon modelling.

Rail: GWR services to St James Park (Exeter) station. Between 12.45 and 14.45, the following amendments are in place:

Trains from Barnstaple and Okehampton to Exeter Central are extended to terminate at St James Park.

Fewer “standard” trains Paignton-Exmouth than usual will call at St James Park.

Trains from Exeter Central to Barnstaple and Okehampton are extended to start back from St James Park.

Emergency contacts:. Supporters to be asked to Text 62277.

Attendance: 6,600 forecast. Any tickets returned by Cheltenham will be available from the Away Booth in St James Road. By Monday Robins had sold 112 suggesting the 266 who came last season might not be a bad estimate.

Fan Zone Activities: Play Your Cards Right.

Information Point will be staffed by Lynne and Rob.

Stay afterwards: £3.50 a pint (selected beers, lagers, ciders).

Forecast dry and cloudy, 23c at 3pm.

Tea Vouchers: 50 “Thank You For Travelling” to go.

Tracks Suzuki stand & Jungle Path have alcohol points.

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We have been provided the following excellent and comprehensive information by Richard Knight - Customer Relations and Supporter Liaison Officer at Exeter City.

Any tickets uncollected from the Completely-Suzuki Stadium in advance will be taken to St James Park for collection on the day from the Away Booth before approaching the turnstiles in St James Road (location below):

Wheelchair users need to book with Exeter City directly on 01392 411243 (option 2), or e-mail tickets@ecfc.co.uk.

Supporters requiring a Carer ticket need to log into your account before selecting tickets.

Exeter City's babes in arms policy is that children aged 4 and under do not require a seat. As such any child aged 0-4 years old will not require a ticket.

Exeter City v The Robins L1 Match Saturday 16 September 2023, KO at 3pm

We look forward to welcoming Cheltenham Town supporters back to St James Park. Below you should find all the information your travelling fans need to know from free hot drink offer, flags and drums to football and drinking.

Seats will be in the same area you used on your last visit, namely Blocks L & M of the Navada Construction Main Stand. Any unsold tickets returned by you will be made available through the Away Ticket booth in St James Road.

You will find most of the travelling information your supporters need on our website. In particular the away fans guide at www.exetercityfc.co.uk/guides/away-fans-guide.

Fan engagement: prior to the match around 1:30 I will be looking for Robins’ families to enter the ground early to have a “family” photo in the Away Dugout and at 2pm will invite an Town volunteer to announce the Cheltenham team in our Fan Zone. In line with our reputation we are also keen to improve our service to visiting fans and will be asking a few to complete a short questionnaire on their experience.

We are keen to encourage a harmonious, friendly, family atmosphere at St James Park. For this reason St James Park is a no smoking (including vaping) stadium. As with all grounds and to comply with legislation the deployment of flares and other pyrotechnics inside the stadium cannot be tolerated.

Flags and Drums are permitted at the Park but may be restricted during capacity games. Visiting supporters are advised to contact customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk to pre-arrange access for drums and/or flags. The Club will then advise on the latest position. Please note that drums are only acceptable in standing areas of the stadium. Flags and banners must be inoffensive, non-political and be supported by a valid fire certificate.

Any Families will be welcome in the Family Zone 90 minutes before kick off or at any time in the open air Fan Zone (Thatchers) patio bar or CentreSpot

The Junior Grecians’ Family Zone will provide a safe, comfortable environment for families to enjoy pre-match entertainment, such as a large screen TVs, video game consoles and table football, as well as the option to enjoy refreshments from the zone’s very own kiosk.

We will continue to deliver pristine condition programmes direct to coaches. Programmes cost £3 plus an optional £1 for a team sheet. Should his be of interest to programme collectors, orders can be made before noon on the match day. Please advise your supporters to purchase programmes outside the stadium to avoid disappointment.

Any supporters who need assistance will find our helpful Supporter Ambassadors dotted outside the Stadium.

ACTIVITIES

Please join us for a FREE Ground Tour at 11am (advance bookings required), FREE Thank You for Travelling Hot Drink (first 50 fans), FREE Face Painting, FREE Photo Opportunity in the Dug Outs, FREE Games and Capers in the Fan Zone and Tombola in support of our Academy.

Your supporters will be most welcome to use our facilities before or after the game. As example, they will be welcome in the Centre Spot/The Park bar and the open air Thatchers patio bar in the Fan Zone. Also located in the Centre Spot is The Famous Exeter City Real Ale and Cider Emporium (FECRACE – Famous Exeter City Real Ale and Cider Emporium) bar, staffed by friendly volunteers and offering a great selection of real ales, real cider, bottled ciders, soft drinks, hot food including pasties, and the matchday programme. It’s usually open a bit later (from about noon) but it DOESN’T sell lager! If your support is less than 700 we will also stock the refreshment kiosk behind the goal with alcohol options.

Unfortunately if your support exceeds 700 we cannot open the bar as drinkers would be able to be seen from the pitch.

The games likely to be shown “live” on the 5 Centre Spot/The Park giant screens include

12:30 - Wolves v. Liverpool
plus Sky Sports News
Post-match the results, reports and goals service
plus from 17:30 - Newcastle v. Brentford

In Stadium refreshments from our Red & Fed kiosks include:

In addition early arrivals will be welcome to go on the FREE Exeter City Supporters Trust stadium and museum tour which starts at 11am. Please note, however, spaces must be booked in advance for the tour through our Reception (01392 411243). https://www.weownexetercityfc.co.uk/post/stadium-tours- are-back

Any supporters requiring an upgrade to hospitality (2 course meal, programme, team sheet, interviews, half-time teas & coffee etc) should also contact our Reception.

Please be aware that it is standard practice for stadium entry to the Away end to be by ticket only. On the day any returned/remaining tickets can be purchased through the ticket booth nearby. Access for your supporters to the seating in the Main Stand will continue through turnstiles in St James Road. The turnstiles open shortly before 2pm.

PRICES

Navada Construction MAIN STAND (Seating)

Please note: Row A is now at the FRONT of the stands at St James Park which could be different to your last visit.

Tracks Suzuki St James Road Away Terrace (Standing)

CASH MACHINES

The nearest cash machine is 200 yards from the ground in Sidwell Street to the west and Coop to the east along Old Tiverton Road.

DISABILITY ISSUES

If there are any questions in general regarding disabled facilities or ticketing, our Disability Liaison Officer, Jeanne Jones, is contactable at disability@exetercityfc.co.uk or via reception on 01392 411243. I have attached the latest information leaflet. You can make this available to your fans. We now have a changing places room available should that be of interest to anyone.

WHEELCHAIR DISABLED FANS

We have 3 pairs of tickets in total for away wheelchair fans in the covered away accessible bay (elevated area) in front of the away fans seated area. Prices here are a maximum of the concession price for this stand (£24 in advance) with the assistant free. Under 18s therefore pay £13 in advance.

AMBULANT DISABLED

These fans are charged the appropriate age-related price and an assistant receives a free ticket.

Inside the ground and at long last the toilet facilities have been upgraded under the latest phase of our ground development.

SOCCER SIGHT

To access the in-stadium commentary, presented by experienced volunteers, visually impaired supporters can pick up a Soccer Sight kit from the club shop any time prior to kick-off. Fans are able to listen to Soccer Sight from any area within the ground, regardless of whether they are a home or away supporter. Our SoccerSight service is available for supporters who have a vision impediment. Probably a bit dated as it was one of the originals set up.

There’s a short description at https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/fans/soccer-sight

Essentially, you can collect headsets on match day from our Club Shop and drop them back afterwards. If you ring beforehand the Retail Team can be prepare and reserve a headset. No charge applies. 01392 411 243

CAUTION: Whilst of course trying to maintain a degree of impartiality, the commentary will have an Exeter City bias by nature!

The other alternative is that BBC Radio Devon has three frequencies for their station. One does dedicated live match commentary on ECFC. So radio and DAB is also a possibility.

PARKING

I regret that parking is very restricted. There is no spectator parking at the ground but we have 1 space for a visiting disabled fan. Please direct any request to main club reception on 01392 411243 or toreception@ecfc.co.uk. Being a City centre club drivers would be advised to arrive early or use Park & Ride DayRider Plus at a cost of c£6.90 for up to 5 people.

Please note that the ground is in a residential area and resident parking schemes are widespread. Car drivers should head for local car parks as a matter of course. Again details are on the website or www.exeter.gov.uk/car-parking/car-parks/find-a-car-park.

Supporter coaches (and the away team bus) will return to the ground immediately before the end of the game. They will be positioned immediately outside the away terrace. Your club will have received a Matchday Information document from the Football Club detailing that “Visitor Parking: Team coach and supporter coaches can off load in St James Road. Coaches will need to park in either of the City Council coach parking facilities”:

Haven Banks Coach Park - Michael Browning Way, Exeter EX2 8DP Tel: 01392 665901 Monday - Sunday including bank holidays: 8am-6pm

Please note: Haven Banks is locked from 8pm until 7am. £5 per coach

Matford Livestock Centre - Parking must be booked in advance on 01392 265480. There will be a charge of £10 for the parking.

Or (I am suggesting) at the nearby Exeter Arena. The Arena can be contacted on 01392 468 653. Out of the Athletic season there is substantial coach parking at the far end on the car park.

These are the coordinates for coach drivers:

ECFC SAT NAV FOR DROP OFF & COLLECTION:

EX4 6PU

(different to Club Post code)

(01392 411243)

If they want to try the Arena. Only use the blue route to avoid low bridge

EXETER ARENA SAT NAV: EX4 8NT

(01392 468 653)

Please note coach arrangements for dropping off at the ground.

TEAM COACH and VISITING SUPPORTERS COACHES

Please use post code EX4 6PU for director’s car park, away end and

changing rooms. In order that players, staff, kit and supporters can safely disembark pavement side will all coaches please face upwards in St James Road outside the Stadium.

From the roundabout it will mean a short journey driving down Old Tiverton Road, first right left into St James’ Road. Straight down St James Road and perform a forward backward movement at the bottom of the road in Wells Street

For supporters travelling by train there are several easy services up to 11:52 from Cheltenham Spa (on the basis the 12:52 might make it too tight for KO). At Exeter St David’s there is a 4 minute train service direct to the ground (St James Park (Exeter)) for those who don’t fancy the walk. To achieve this please advise travellers to book through to St James Park (Exeter) rather than Exeter St David’s station.

Alternatively buses or a taxi are the best option (rank outside the station) but a very brisk walk would be possible. Return services are frequent from Exeter St David’s with 16:51 the first realistic service from St James Park (Exeter) station.

For accommodation I can recommend http://www.visitexeter.com and of course Trip Advisor and the usual search engines. If your supporters are looking for quality I can suggest: http://www.deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk and http://www.woodburypark.co.uk/ . The later was used by Man U for their visit and a large proportion of L2 teams seem to use Mercure Southgate. To be fair fans seem to head for Holiday Inn or the nearby Leonardo Hotel.

Any complimentary tickets left by the players can be collected from the Away Ticket Booth in St James Road.

Once again we look forward to welcoming your fans to the South West.