and we getting around £30,000,000 and that doesn't put a dent in Citeh's pocket , crazy days . The 19-year-old became Exeter’s record sale last week when he joined Premier League side Swansea City in a deal believed to be worth £1.75million to the Devon club. Now, with such significant funds at their disposal, the Grecians know the importance of being prudent and not wasting the financial windfall. The Grecians have already said that, after any outstanding debts have been paid off, they will invest in infrastructure. They would like to see a new rubber-crumb 4G pitch built at the club’s Cat and Fiddle training please log in to view this image ground, as well as indoor facilities, which will not only greatly enhance what they already have, but possibly see their youth Academy status raised from category three to category two. Advertisement Manager Paul Tisdale has also been promised some of the Grimes money to put towards his playing budget, but Tagg (right) said the decision to predominantly invest in the club’s infrastructure has gone down well with supporters. “We are having a board meeting on Tuesday to discuss how we are going to manage this strategically over the next few years,” he said. “The planning has already started, but the plan is not yet in place. “The first thing to say is that the money comes in four tranches over 18 months to two years, so it isn’t all falling in our lap at once. An outline of how we spend that money has been made public knowledge and that is still our intention, and the board will now look at that in further detail. “The response from supporters has been exceptional. I think there is a real understanding of what is happening, youth-wise, and the Grimes transfer has underlined all that hard work. “I think the fans have underpinned that success themselves and they absolutely buy into it, and I think there are very sensible comments being said across the board about using the money sensibly and not wasting it. We also have a very considered manager who is not into wasting money, so it has to be used wisely and over a period of time and not frittered away. “I don’t think that’s the will of anybody and the reaction I have come across has been hugely positive and extremely responsible on all those levels, which is great.” Investment will make sure Grimes is not the last player to come out of Exeter City's academy It has been quite some time since Exeter City have had any significant investment, probably since the 1990s when two sides of St James’ Park were redeveloped. The Manchester United FA Cup money helped wipe out huge debts back in 2005, but never before have the Grecians, in their current guise at least, had opportunity to really invest. Plans are in place to further improve the stadium, but despite raking in a significant £1.75 million sum from the sale of Matt Grimes, who has been with the club since the age of eight, vice-chairman Julian Tagg says none of that money will be set aside for that particular project. “The ground redevelopment has always been on the premise that it is at no risk and no cost to the club and that continues at this point. That hasn’t changed,” Tagg said. “I think, from the club’s point of view, it is great to see things are moving on the pitch, you can see them moving from the infrastructural point of view – certainly much needed at the Cat and Fiddle – and this is also an opportunity to resolve our cash-flow issues. “Very often, you are only working on one thing at a time because that’s all you have the financial capability of doing, but for the club to be able to move forward on a number of levels is a nice feeling for everyone at the club. “The intent now is not to change the way we work – we want to keep with the principles that have got us this far – but to use the money to underpin what has been successful to date. We have to make sure it doesn’t end here; Grimes is not the last one, there are many more [players] in the pipeline.” Supporters will be pleased to hear that City are already well advanced with plans to improve their training facilities, while Tagg added that the club will explore the possibility of grants and financial aids from organisations to help improve grass-roots football in Exeter. At present, there is only one privately-owned rubber-crumb pitch in the whole of Exeter, and the Football Association recently proposed a £230 million investment to increase the number of artificial pitches by 130 per cent in 30 football ‘hubs’ across the country over the next five years. “Quite a lot of work has been done over the last year or so as to what the possibilities might be and what needs to be done,” Tagg added, “and whilst there has been ideas – and we have had outline plans done quietly over the last two or three years – now is the opportunity to start to address and turn it into some sort of reality. “That said, there is still a long way to go. It doesn’t solve all our problems, but it does give us a foothold into starting to improve the facilities that we so desperately need across the board – and it is something that the city needs as well. “We will be looking for financial assistance to add to what we have, but what is available is very much a moving target. What was available two years ago is not available any more, but there might be something new that’s available tomorrow. “We will be looking to maximise the possibilities and opportunities that are available to us, but having a starting point and a substantial figure, which is all this really is, makes it much more realistic.” Rubber-crumb pitches use a combination of fake grass blades, sand and rubber crumbs to provide a surface that will perform consistently throughout the year in all conditions. Such a surface is likely to cost circa £500,000, but Tagg strongly believes such an investment would have widespread benefits for the club. “The considerations for rubber-crumb pitches and improved facilities will not only benefit our youth structure and our aim of getting to category two, but the first team as well, who are unable to train for long periods during the winter months [due to waterlogged grass pitches],” Tagg said. “It will also underpin the fantastic work that is done by our Football in the Community team, whether that be sports please log in to view this image participation in the holidays, health and well-being work, or education work. Those facilities can be used and maximised in all areas of the clubs and the city’s interests. “All that, of course, needs to come with planning and, whilst we have an outline plan, to complete a plan like that is way beyond a third of what’s coming in from the Grimes transfer, so how does that get addressed? All these things are being thought through now.” Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Exeter-City-grand-plans-cash-record-player-sale/story-25813457-detail/story.html#ixzz3O7dUfS88 Follow us: @WMNNews on Twitter | westernmorningnews on Facebook
Makes you feel great that doesn't it? Us choosing to invest in Matty Grimes has improved the football lives of a lot of good people down there and will help grow an excellent club.
You are right. And, let's face it, we know exactly what that means to Exeter. Fans of clubs that have had success through big money owners or have been at the top almost indefinitely would be hard pressed to imagine how such a small sum (in football terms) can make such a huge difference. Whether or not Grimes is a success with us, he has already made a huge difference to Exeter.
I've been down to their Academy a few times to watch our boys play , I didn't realise it had only Category 3 status .always a tidy welcome and good games to watch between the two clubs youngsters .
