Last night’s thrilling 2-2 draw between Exeter City and Liverpool can bring huge benefits to the fan owned League 2 club both on and off the pitch.
The Grecians’ twice took the lead against the Premier League giants but were pegged back on both occasions. The club now walk away with a lucrative FA Cup Third Round replay at Anfield in 10 days time, a match which could again be selected for television coverage.
City took the lead early on against a youthful Liverpool side through Tom Nichols but Jerome Sinclair equalised shortly after. On the stroke of half time Lee Holmes put the home side 2-1 up after an Adam Bogdan howler but Brad Smith rescued the tie for the Premier League side in the second half.
Exeter City are now reported to make around £700,000 from the replay, a figure which could be boosted should the tie be chosen for further live television coverage which will significantly boost the fan owned club’s coffers. Just 18 months ago the club were in financial turmoil and had to take out a PFA loan to get the club through the summer. The club also found itself under a transfer embargo with Manager Paul Tisdale unable to make summer signings until after the season had started.
Last night’s result could also provide City with a confidence boost on the pitch with the club having lost their last 4 league matches.
