THE WORST DAY IN EXETER'S HISTORY
83 years of service in the Football League came to an end in 2003 but that was just the beginning of a painful few years where Exeter faced the book whilst trying to save their club. One solitary year of ownership by two men nearly ruined the Devon club and since then, the way Exeter City has been run has changed forever,
In 2002, Exeter City were bought by two businessmen, John Russell and Mike Lewis. Both had previous experience of working in football; Russell had owned Scarborough from 1994-2000. Ivan Doble, the man who had bankrolled Exeter for a number of years struck a deal to allow Russell and Lewis to buy the club.
Upon my visits to St James Park (not to be confused with Newcastle United's famous ground), I'd been afraid to mention the names of them and when I did it was met my murmurings of discontent. Under the ownership of Russell and Lewis, they managed to run the club into the ground.
Uri Geller was appinted co-chairman of the club and he appointed famous singer and artist Michael Jackson as honouary director. Jackson visited St James Park once, but not even he could really lift the spirits of the
Exeter City faithful.
It emerged that the disgraced owners had been pocketing the profits of the club, leaving the club and staff with mounting bills and expenses. The owners were eventually wound up in court and arrested. Fast forward four years and at trial, the pair were charged with four offences each including 'knowingly party to the carrying on of the business of Exeter City Football Club with the intent to defraud its creditors'. Russell was sentenced to 21 months in prison whilst Lewis was ordered to undertake 200 hours of community service.
What they had left was an almighty mess at Exeter. Relegation to the Confereence had been confirmed, despite a last miunute winner from club hero Steve Flack on the final day of the season but a Swansea victory over Hull consigned the Grecians to the drop.
During the summer, baillifs were on constant call at the football club. Something in relation to the ownership of the club had to be done and during the summer, David Treharne, a lecturer and fan of Exeter assisted Doble with the sale of the club. Treharne bought a 63% shareholding in the club on behalf of the Exeter City Supporters Trust.
Exeter City faced their darkest period but a rally of support over the summer meant that the Grecians could find their feet once again