This month has seen the unveiling of our new fantastic £3million training facility at the Cliff Hill Training Ground, just outside Clyst St Mary on the Sidmouth Road.

The new building replaces the dilapidated structure which, having been erected in the 1970s as a temporary building, was definitely past its sell by date! In fact, the building was second hand before we got it, so had already seen many years of operation before it became the base for our first team. Looking back, the clues were there. You know, when you need to put an umbrella up to stay dry inside, and the fact that the only shirt for Jökull to wear on his recent return to Exeter City, had been nibbled by creatures unknown…

Thanks to all of those volunteers, lots of them from the East Devon Grecians, who kept the building alive over the years with their work parties; the men behind the scenes, David Lee, Mike Phillips and Chris Jay who have worked so hard, alongside Justin Quick, to take the new build from inception through planning and to completion, and Elaine Davis, who has been the driving force of the incredible fundraising campaign, which raised £63,000 to ‘Kit out the Cliff’.

Thank you to you if you contributed in any way to helping us provide the very best facilities we could. It was great to see some of those original volunteers at the training ground last month, where they got to swing a hammer and start the demolition of the old building. There’s still some completion work to do, and I know our media team will do a great job of keeping you up to date.

Sadly, Jean Hill, wife of the late Clifford Hill, who bought the training ground for the use of the football club, died last week. Clifford, who the ground is named after, was a former chairman of Exeter City and played a huge part in supporting the club through the purchase of the training ground. We’re all sad to hear of the passing of Jean and send our condolences to her family. Over the years we’ve been fortunate to work with the Hills’ adviser Paul Wright, who has worked closely with the club and the family, something which has been hugely appreciated by us all.

Gary, the management team and the first team squad are already reaping the benefits. There’s a state-of-the-art gym and a fantastic new canteen – I’d like some of whatever it is they are putting in Kevin McDonald’s meals! What a great signing he is proving to be, with two goals in as many games.

The game at Wycombe was certainly an entertaining one, with so many chances, but the big KMac was there to equalise for us. It was a hard-earned point on the road, and with that performance we deserved more. But on we march, and it’s Lincoln at home next – join us as we pack the park! In fact, why not make it a double, as this weekend sees the women’s team in action at St James Park against Portishead on Sunday.

The team is flying high at the top of their league - we’ve already sold more than 2,000 tickets, so it should also be a great atmosphere. Grab your tickets today and help us smash the previous record for a women’s match at SJP.

Exeter Golf and Country Club was the destination for a game of golf for me against manager Gary and assistant manager Kev, some might say that it’s because I had ex-pro golfer Pete on my side, that we were victorious. There’s a grudge match planned for next week at Woodbury Park – I’ll let you know who the victors are! And it’s all good practice for the club’s corporate golf day this summer – more details available on this soon.

Join us and back our boys as we head into the last dozen matches of the season, and don’t forget, the future’s bright, the future’s red and white!