United's date with destiny at Wembley on Sunday sees them face a strong and well-organised Exeter City outfit managed by Paul Tisdale. The Grecians completed their regulation season in fourth place and, after fending off the challenge of Torquay in their Play-off semi-final, will now attempt to book a return to the Football League.

City were initially relegated to the Conference in May 2003 following a prolonged chapter of financial shenanigans. The soap opera at St James Park saw illusionist Uri Geller appointed as Chairman in 2002, with the spoon bender also coaxing one-time pop starlet Michael Jackson to Devon as an honorary Director.

Previously in November 1994 the club had appointed administrators, with St James Park sold to Beazer Homes for a miserly £650,000. By 1996 the local Council stepped in to buy the ground, subsequently leasing it back to the club, with the Grecians then exiting administration in August 1996. City consequently embarked on a redevelopment scheme for their home, with two sides of the ground re-built.

Supporters Trust

Nevertheless, the 2003 relegation blip stalled further progress, with further debts uncovered and a Corporate Voluntary Agreement arranged with creditors. Thankfully, though, with the agreement in place and City in the hands of a Supporters Trust, attention could turn to matters on the pitch. In each of their first two Conference campaigns the Exeter faithful saw their side finish one point and one place from the play-offs. Alex Inglethorpe had been appointed to re-bolster the playing foundations in November 2004 following Eamonn Dolan's unsuccessful stab at an instant return to the Football League so, unsurprisingly, promotion hopes were high in 2005/06.

Unfortunately, following a thunderous start to the campaign, form became erratic and, after sitting on top of the table in November, just four victories were recorded in their remaining nineteen games to leave them seventh, nine points from a play-off berth. The FA Trophy provided some solace, with City reaching the semi-finals.

The club then lost the services of Ingelthorpe, who departed for the Tottenham youth set up, and took a gamble on Team Bath supremo Paul Tisdale (pictured).

Last Season

2006/07 saw City reach the Play-offs following a nervy campaign. Just three losses were recorded in their opening nineteen games, but form again started to undulate as the season grew to a climax. Nevertheless Tisdale's men won four and drew one of their last five matches to secure fifth spot. Oxford took a 1-0 win away from Devon in the Play-off first leg, but City turned on the style to claim a 2-1 victory in the second leg. Exeter then duly prevailed 4-3 in the dramatic penalty shoot-out decider to set up a showpiece Wembley final with Morecambe. Lee Phillips gloriously put City ahead after fourteen minutes but, the stage clearly became too much for Tisdale's charges, and Morecambe stormed back to claim a 2-1 win and Football League promotion.

The start of the current season saw City lose influential Wembley goalscorer Lee Phillips and defender Chris Todd to arch rivals Torquay, controversially managed by Tisdale's former assistant Paul Buckle. Furthermore, despite the exciting capture of experienced forward Steve Basham from Oxford along with journeyman goalkeeper Andy Marriott from Boston, the fans witnessed just four wins in the opening thirteen games, but as the season has progressed the squad have become stronger and results have gradually improved.

October, November and December produced just one League loss at Aldershot as City climbed to seventh place and, although they commenced 2008 with a 1-0 reverse at Rushden whilst also losing 15-goal striker Jamie Mackie to Plymouth, they delivered a strong seasonal run-in.

Dream Derby

Just one loss in the last nine games secured their play-off spot, where they faced Torquay in a dream two-match Devon derby. As with last season the Grecians lost the home leg as the Gulls clinched an injury-time 2-1 win, but the character that Tisdale has installed came to the fore at Plainmoor four days later. City even handicapped themselves by going 1-0 down in the second leg, 3-1 down on aggregate, but a mind-boggling display in the last twenty minutes saw four goals scored to secure a 5-4 victory overall. The fans must have been beside themselves with joy, especially against such fearsome geographical rivals.

Ex-United striker Richard Logan heads the goalscoring charts with eighteen League goals, and is ably supported by livewire Adam Stansfield who has bagged eleven. Their ammunition is generally supplied by speedy winger Lee Elam who has also weighed in with three goals, and attacking midfielder Dean Moxey whose goals total number nine.

At the back Tisdale relies on the strength of experienced centre-half Rob Edwards, who has over 400 League appearances with Carlisle, Preston and Bristol City under his belt, whilst Cambridge born full-back Matthew Gill has been a virtual ever-present this season and is a danger at set-pieces. Neutrals may hope City can triumph at Wembley after last years disappointment... but 21,300 United fans will hopefully allay those fears!

Previous Meetings

The U's and Exeter cross swords at Wembley on Sunday for the 52nd time. United have faced City in various competitions over the years, including the Football League, FA Cup and various Associate Members Cup guises, along with recent Non-League clashes.

United pip their opponents to bragging rights, with twenty-five victories comparing favourably to The Grecians thirteen, whilst twelve games have concluded in shared spoils. The goals scored column also reads well for United, with 77 in the amber corner opposing an Exeter count of 58. The first match took place on 24 October 1970 at St James Park, two months after The U's Football League debut.

Since both sides dropped out of the League there have been six Conference/BSP games to savour. City recorded their first home win against the U's for over seven years with a 4-0 hammering of Rob Newman's side in September 2005, although United won the return game 2-1.

Newman was sacked following the 3-1 home defeat to City last season, whilst Paul Tisdale's men wrapped up the double after a 2-0 win in April 2007.

Earlier this season we travelled south for a 1-1 draw at St James Park, John Mackie opening for City prior to Scott Rendell's leveller, whilst our last contest saw defender Danny Seaborne score the only goal of a tight game to seal a 1-0 city win at the Abbey.

Doug Shulman

Make Your Click Count For The U's - talk about it on the Message Board!

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website, unless otherwise stated, is subject to copyright © and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source including all quotes.

AT080517