2025–26 Exeter City F.C. season

Exeter City
2025–26 season
OwnerExeter City Supporters' Trust
ChairmanClive Harrison (interim)
ManagerGary Caldwell
StadiumSt James Park

The 2025–26 season is the 124th season in the history of Exeter City Football Club and their fourth consecutive season in League One. In addition to the domestic league, the club would also participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of match played 19 August 2025

Players with no appearances are not included on the list

No. Pos Nat Player Total League One FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England ENG Joe Whitworth 5 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
2 DF Scotland SCO Jack McMillan 4 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
3 DF England ENG Ryan Rydel 3 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
4 DF Wales WAL Ed Turns 4 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
5 DF England ENG Jack Fitzwater 4 1 4+0 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
6 MF England ENG Ethan Brierley 4 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
8 MF England ENG Edward Francis 2 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
9 FW England ENG Jayden Wareham 4 1 3+1 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
10 MF England ENG Jack Aitchison 4 0 2+2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
11 FW England ENG Andrew Oluwabori 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
12 MF England ENG Reece Cole 3 1 3+0 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
14 DF Finland FIN Ilmari Niskanen 4 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
16 DF Netherlands NED Sil Swinkels 4 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
19 FW England ENG Sonny Cox 5 1 2+2 1 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
20 DF England ENG Luca Woodhouse 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
26 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Pierce Sweeney 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
27 FW Northern Ireland NIR Josh Magennis 4 1 1+2 1 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
29 MF Scotland SCO Kevin McDonald 3 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
31 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jake Doyle-Hayes 3 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
33 MF England ENG Tom Dean 5 0 1+3 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
34 MF England ENG Liam Oakes 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
37 FW Scotland SCO Kieran Wilson 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
40 DF Wales WAL Ed James 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
42 MF England ENG George Birch 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
45 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Charlie Cummins 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0

Transfers and contracts

In

Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
16 June 2025[a] CB England Johnly Yfeko Scotland Rangers Undisclosed [1]
1 July 2025[b] England Luca Woodhouse England Wycombe Wanderers Free [2]
1 July 2025[c] CF England Jayden Wareham England Reading Compensation [3]
31 July 2025 GK England Jack Bycroft England Swindon Town Free [4]
1 August 2025 CM Republic of Ireland Jake Doyle-Hayes Republic of Ireland Sligo Rovers Undisclosed [5]
  1. ^ The transfer was announced on 5 May, and would become official on June 16 once the transfer window has reopened
  2. ^ The transfer was announced on 19 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Wycombe had ended
  3. ^ The transfer was announced on 26 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Reading had ended

Out

Date Pos. Player To Fee Ref.
26 June 2026 CF England Jay Bird England Salford City Undisclosed [6]

Loaned in

Date Pos. Player From Date until Ref.
25 June 2025 LB England Ryan Rydel England Stockport County 31 May 2026 [7]
26 June 2025 CM England Ethan Brierley England Brentford [8]
10 July 2025 GK England Joe Whitworth England Crystal Palace [9]
17 July 2025 CB Netherlands Sil Swinkels England Aston Villa [10]

Loaned out

Date Pos. Player To Date until Ref.
15 July 2025 GK England Frankie Phillips England Taunton Town 31 May 2026 [11]

Released / Out of Contract

Date Pos. Player Subsequent club Join Date Ref.
30 June 2025 AM England Mitch Beardmore England Bath City 1 July 2025 [12][13]
LB Kenya Vincent Harper England Walsall [12][14]
England Demetri Mitchell England Leyton Orient [12][15]
CB England Ben Purrington England Cambridge United [12][16]
AM Australia Caleb Watts England Plymouth Argyle [17][18]
LM England Max Edgecombe England Plymouth Parkway 3 July 2025 [12][19]
CM England Jake Richards England Luton Town 5 July 2025 [20]
CB England Cheick Diabaté Scotland St Johnstone 7 July 2025 [12][21]
GK England Harry Lee England Crystal Palace 15 August 2025 [22][23]
LW Wales Pat Jones England Chester 19 August 2025 [12][24]
CM England Gabe Billington [12]
CB England Angus MacDonald [12]
GK England Shaun MacDonald [12]
LW Suriname Yanic Wildschut [12]
7 July 2025 DM England Ryan Woods England Oldham Athletic 7 July 2025 [25][26]

New Contract

Date Pos. Player Contract until Ref.
18 June 2025 CF Scotland Kieran Wilson Undisclosed[a] [27]
17 July 2025 DM Scotland Kevin McDonald 30 June 2026 [28]
  1. ^ First professional contract

Pre-season and friendlies

On 11 May, Exeter City announced a testimonial for Pierce Sweeney against Swansea City, to mark his tenth season at Exeter City.[29] Two days later, a trip to Torquay United was confirmed.[30] A third fixture was added to the schedule against FC United of Manchester, to mark their 20th anniversary of supporter ownership.[31] A fourth fixture was added to the schedule, against Weston-super-Mare.[32]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

12 July 2025 Friendly Weston-super-Mare 0–6 Exeter City Weston-super-Mare
13:00 BST Report
  • Wareham 26'
  • Crees 51'
  • Cox 57'
  • Cole 67'
  • Wilson 84', 85'
Stadium: The Optima Stadium
18 July 2025 Friendly Aston Villa 0–2 Exeter City Bodymoor Heath
13:00 BST Report
Stadium: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
19 July 2025 Friendly FC United of Manchester 1–4 Exeter City Moston
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: Broadhurst Park
Attendance: 904
25 July 2025 Friendly Torquay United 1–1 Exeter City Torquay
19:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Plainmoor
Attendance: 3,121
Referee: Jonty Bolland
26 July 2025 Pierce Sweeney testimonial Exeter City 1–0 Swansea City Exeter
13:00 BST
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,948 (626 away)

Competitions

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
League One 2 August 2025 May 2026 Matchday 1 4 2 0 2 6 4 +2 050.00
FA Cup November 2025 First round 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
EFL Cup 13 August 2025 13 August 2025 First round First round 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00
EFL Trophy September 2025 Group stage 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
Total 5 2 0 3 6 6 +0 040.00

Last updated: 19 August
Source: [1]

League One

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
9 Leyton Orient 4 2 1 1 5 5 0 7
10 Doncaster Rovers 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7
11 Exeter City 4 2 0 2 6 4 +2 6
12 Mansfield Town 4 2 0 2 6 5 +1 6
13 Wigan Athletic 4 2 0 2 5 4 +1 6
Updated to match(es) played on 20 August 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[33]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
4 2 0 2 6 4  +2 6 1 0 1 5 3  +2 1 0 1 1 1  0

Last updated: 19 August 2025.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

Round1234
GroundAHHA
ResultLWLW
Position2091511
Points0336
Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Matches

On 26 June, the League One fixtures were announced.[34]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2 August 2025 1 Doncaster Rovers 1–0 Exeter City Doncaster
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium
Attendance: 8,688 (630 away)
Referee: Ross Joyce
9 August 2025 2 Exeter City 4–1 Blackpool Exeter
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 6,852 (548 away)
Referee: Carl Brook
16 August 2025 3 Exeter City 1–2 Mansfield Town Exeter
12:30 BST
Report
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 6,166 (655 away)
Referee: Ollie Yates
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[35]
19 August 2025 4 Wycombe Wanderers 0–1 Exeter City Wycombe
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 4,661 (372 away)
Referee: Ben Atkinson
23 August 2025 5 Northampton Town v Exeter City Northampton (Sixfields)
15:00 BST Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
30 August 2025 6 Exeter City v Peterborough United Exeter
15:00 BST Stadium: St James Park
6 September 2025 7 Rotherham United v Exeter City Rotherham
15:00 BST Stadium: New York Stadium
13 September 2025 8 Exeter City v Port Vale Exeter
15:00 BST Stadium: St James Park
20 September 2025 9 Stevenage v Exeter City Stevenage
15:00 BST Stadium: Broadhall Way
27 September 2025 10 Exeter City v Huddersfield Town Exeter
15:00 BST Stadium: St James Park
4 October 2025 11 Lincoln City v Exeter City Lincoln
15:00 BST Stadium: Sincil Bank
11 October 2025 12 Exeter City v Reading Exeter
15:00 BST Stadium: St James Park
18 October 2025 13 Stockport County v Exeter City Stockport (Edgeley)
15:00 BST Stadium: Edgeley Park
23 October 2025 14 Exeter City v Plymouth Argyle Exeter
20:00 BST Stadium: St James Park
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 12:30 kick-off on Saturday 25th October, but was moved for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[36]
8 November 2025 15 Exeter City v Wigan Athletic Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
15 November 2025 16 Leyton Orient v Exeter City London (Leyton)
15:00 GMT Stadium: Brisbane Road
22 November 2025 17 Exeter City v Burton Albion Exeter
12:30 GMT Stadium: St James Park
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was rescheduled for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[36]
29 November 2025 18 Bradford City v Exeter City Bradford
15:00 GMT Stadium: Valley Parade
9 December 2025 19 Exeter City v AFC Wimbledon Exeter
19:45 GMT Stadium: St James Park
13 December 2025 20 Bolton Wanderers v Exeter City Bolton (Horwich)
15:00 GMT Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium
20 December 2025 21 Exeter City v Barnsley Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
26 December 2025 22 Cardiff City v Exeter City Cardiff (Leckwith)
15:00 GMT Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
29 December 2025 23 AFC Wimbledon v Exeter City London (Wimbledon)
19:45 GMT Stadium: Plough Lane
1 January 2026 24 Exeter City v Luton Town Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
4 January 2026 25 Huddersfield Town v Exeter City Huddersfield
15:00 GMT Stadium: Kirklees Stadium
10 January 2026 26 Exeter City v Lincoln City Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
17 January 2026 27 Exeter City v Stevenage Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
24 January 2026 28 Port Vale v Exeter City Stoke (Burslem)
15:00 GMT Stadium: Vale Park
27 January 2026 29 Reading v Exeter City Reading
20:00 GMT Stadium: Madejski Stadium
31 January 2026 30 Exeter City v Rotherham United Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
7 February 2026 31 Mansfield Town v Exeter City Mansfield
15:00 GMT Stadium: Field Mill
14 February 2026 32 Exeter City v Northampton Town Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
17 February 2026 33 Exeter City v Wycombe Wanderers Exeter
19:45 GMT Stadium: St James Park
21 February 2026 34 Peterborough United v Exeter City Peterborough
15:00 GMT Stadium: London Road Stadium
28 February 2026 35 Exeter City v Bolton Wanderers Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
7 March 2026 36 Barnsley v Exeter City Barnsley
15:00 GMT Stadium: Oakwell
14 March 2026 37 Exeter City v Cardiff City Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
17 March 2026 38 Luton Town v Exeter City Luton (Bury Park)
19:45 GMT Stadium: Kenilworth Road
21 March 2026 39 Wigan Athletic v Exeter City Wigan
15:00 GMT Stadium: Brick Community Stadium
28 March 2026 40 Exeter City v Leyton Orient Exeter
15:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
3 April 2026 41 Blackpool v Exeter City Blackpool
15:00 BST Stadium: Bloomfield Road
6 April 2026 42 Exeter City v Doncaster Rovers Exeter
15:00 BST Stadium: St James Park
11 April 2026 42 Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City Plymouth (Milehouse)
15:00 BST Stadium: Home Park
18 April 2026 44 Exeter City v Stockport County Exeter
15:00 BST Stadium: St James Park
25 April 2026 45 Burton Albion v Exeter City Burton upon Trent
15:00 BST Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
2 May 2026 46 Exeter City v Bradford City Exeter
15:00 BST Stadium: St James Park

FA Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

EFL Cup

On 26 June, the draw for the first round was made, with Exeter being drawn away against Cheltenham Town.[37]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

13 August 2025 First round Cheltenham Town 2–0 Exeter City Cheltenham
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Whaddon Road
Attendance: 2,109
Referee: Alan Young

EFL Trophy

Exeter were drawn against Cardiff City, Newport County and Arsenal U21 in the group stage.[38]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L1 Cardiff City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round 2
2 L1 Exeter City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 L2 Newport County 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 ACA Arsenal U21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: EFL

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

16 September 2025 South Group A Exeter City v Cardiff City Exeter
19:00 BST Stadium: St James Park
28 October 2025 South Group A Exeter City v Arsenal U21 Exeter
19:00 GMT Stadium: St James Park
11 November 2025 South Group A Newport County v Exeter City Newport
19:00 GMT Stadium: Rodney Parade

References

  1. ^ "Johnly Yfeko joins City on a permanent deal!". Exeter City FC. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Luca Woodhouse signs for City". Exeter City FC. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  3. ^ "Jayden Wareham joins City!". Exeter City FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Jack Bycroft signs for City!". Exeter City FC. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Jake Doyle-Hayes is our new No.31!". Exeter City FC. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Jay Bird signs for Salford City". Exeter City FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Ryan Rydel joins the Grecians". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Ethan Brierley joins the Grecians on loan". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Joe Whitworth returns to City!". Exeter City FC. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Sil Swinkels is a Grecian!". Exeter City FC. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Frankie Phillips joins Taunton Town on loan". Exeter City FC. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Exeter City Retained List 2025". Exeter City FC. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Player News – Mitch Beardmore". Bath City FC. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Vincent Harper signs for the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Demetri Mitchell sign for Leyton Orient". Leyton Orient FC. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  16. ^ "Ben Purrington Signs". Cambridge United FC. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  17. ^ "Caleb Watts turns down City offer". Exeter City FC. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Caleb Watts signs for Argyle". Plymouth Argyle FC. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Max Edgecombe is a Yellow". Plymouth Parkway FC. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Jake Richards signs for Luton Town". Exeter City FC. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Cheick Diabate signs for Saints!". St Johnstone FC. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Harry Lee departs Exeter City". Exeter City FC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  23. ^ "Harry Lee Joins Crystal Palace". Crystal Palace FC. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Welcome to Chester FC, Pat Jones!". Chester FC. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Ryan Woods leaves by mutual consent". Exeter City FC. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  26. ^ "Woods Pens Latics Deal". Oldham Athletic AFC. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  27. ^ "Kieran Wilson Signs his first Professional Contract!". Exeter City FC. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  28. ^ "Kevin McDonald returns to City". Exeter City FC. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Join us for Pierce Sweeney's testimonial against Swansea City on July 26!". Exeter City FC. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  30. ^ "City to face Torquay United in pre-season". Exeter City FC. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  31. ^ "City to celebrate supporter ownership with FC United of Manchester friendly". Exeter City FC. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  32. ^ "City head to Weston-super-Mare in pre-season". Exeter City FC. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  33. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". English Football League. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  34. ^ "Luton open League One season against AFC Wimbledon". British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Early kick-off for Mansfield clash". Exeter City FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  36. ^ a b "Fixture alterations for Argyle and Burton clashes". Exeter City FC. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  37. ^ "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  38. ^ "Under-21 teams and Group Stage draw confirmed for 2025/26 Vertu Trophy". English Football League. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.