With pleasure, Exeter City Football Club announces that we will be compensated for the transfer of former Academy player Jay Stansfield from Fulham to Birmingham.

We are required to uphold the confidentiality of the information contained in this agreement, which is kept between the two clubs. We can reveal, though, that Exeter City will receive the financial benefit in the form of a number of installments spread out over a longer time frame.

We are overjoyed for Jay. Supporters of Exeter City will always hold a particular place in their hearts for him and his family, and we are confident that he will be greeted with open arms upon his return to St James Park.

Clubs may only receive a portion of the money, but managing the structuring of arrangements of this kind can be difficult because the entire price is included in the year-end accounts for that year. This thus implies that clubs may have a large rise in their tax bill prior to receiving the entire amount.

Match Report: Exeter City 2 Swindon Town 1

Alli had a golden chance to put City ahead minutes after as the game burst into life, but he was denied Barden before manager Caldwell introduced Bird in Alli’s place for the striker’s first appearance in City colours – the 23-year-old donning the prestigious no.31 shirt.

City would retake the lead in style as Jack Aitchison registered his first ever home goal – despite it being his overall fifth for the club. From a throw, the Scot dropped the shoulder and drove forward before unleashing a stunning effort into the top corner.

On a night where One of Our Own Oakes shined with a man of the match winning performance, Louie Cayless would enter the field five minutes from time to become City’s second-youngster ever player, the 15-year-old one month younger than Ethan Ampadu, and one month older than record holder Ben Chrisene.

The Grecians would see out four minutes of additional time to seal the victory and top Group G after one round – Spurs U21 are the visitors to SJP on Tuesday, 24 September, 7pm.

The full-time whistle marked the start of an 11-day break from play for City, who are next in action on Saturday, 14 September, away to Blackpool in a 3pm kick-off.

 

Exeter City: MacDonald (GK), Oakes, Sweeney ©, Fitzwater, James (Cayless), Purrington, Doyle (Cox), Francis, Watts (J.Richards), Aitchison, Alli (Bird).

Substitutes: Lee (GK), Yfeko, Cox, Bird, Cummins, J.Richards, Cayless.

Goals: Francis 65’, Aitchison 81’

 

Swindon Town: Barden (GK), Sobowale, Wright ©, Cotterill, Cain, Kilkenny (Clarke), Freckleton (Delaney), Tshimanga (Smith), Butterworth (King), Drinan, Minturn.

Substitutes: Bycroft (GK), Glatzel, McGregor, Clarke, Delaney, Smith, King.

Goals: Cotterill 68’

Referee: Ross Martin

Attendance: 1,485 (97 away)