Magic of the FA Cup is no illusion for Exeter City

Exeter, United Kingdom: When Liverpool’s superstar manager Jurgen Klopp leads his side out for their Emirates FA Cup third round match at fourth-tier Exeter City on Friday, the German for once faces the possibility of being upstaged.

All eyes have been on Klopp since the former Borussia Dortmund coach joined the Anfield club last October, but Friday’s opponents from Devon in the south west of England have their own colourful boss, Paul Tisdale, and the BBC’s live TV cameras will likely be focused on him. Tisdale is remarkable not only for his longevity - he is approaching a decade in charge of the club, making him the second-longest-serving coach in English football behind Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger - but also his fashion sense. The 42-year-old is firm friends with designer Ray Kelvin, the man behind the Ted Baker label, and is regularly decked out in a stylish hat, jacket and even a cravat on the touchline.

But that is not all that makes Exeter City stand out from the crowd of lower-league English football clubs. For a start the Grecians are owned by the fans, who have successfully managed the club since it was relegated to the non-league ranks amidst debts of almost £5m (Dh27 million) in 2003. A previous dream FA Cup draw against Manchester United - and subsequent fairytale goalless draw at Old Trafford - in January 2005 put them back on a sound financial footing and set them up for eventual back-to-back promotions.

Exeter also boast a celebrity director of football in Steve Perryman, who is revered by Tottenham fans thanks to his record 866 appearances for the White Hart Lane club between 1969 and 1986. These days, the two-time Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup winner spends City’s home matchdays at the back of the club’s Old Grandstand, barking out cries of encouragement and instruction to the Exeter players.

And then there is St James’ Park, City’s 111-year-old, 8,500-capacity ground, which will ensure Liverpool’s players and fans alike will be well outside their comfort zone for Friday’s match. The dressing rooms, housed in the long-past-its-best Old Grandstand, are tiny, while the Reds fans positioned behind the goal will have to hope it doesn’t rain or their two hours on the concrete terracing will be very uncomfortable indeed.

But that is what delights supporters of the FA Cup - that English footballing royalty like Liverpool can visit a success-starved club like Exeter, who stand to make a welcome £250,000 from the match, and both will be on an equal footing at kick-off.

“The nature of our club is it’s community-owned, there are no Russian oligarchs or Americans or any others who will come and help us if we have a problem, so things like this draw are hugely significant,” Exeter chairman Julian Tagg told Gulf News.

“You can’t put enough emphasis on how significant the income from something like this is and in so many different ways. It gives us an opportunity to play catch-up and possibly take a couple of small steps forward. It’s a great reward for a lot of people who work really hard for a long, long period of time.

“This is the magic of the FA Cup isn’t it? The BBC aren’t turning up because they love us, they want to see the magic that happens with these draws. I don’t think there’s a competition like it. I can’t think of a competition that pits those David and Goliath situations again and again - and everybody loves it. It makes good TV, it’s good for the sport, it feeds finance back into the grassroots. I think it’s a great competition.”

Of the club’s fan-owned status and careful financial management, Tagg added: “We are the exception - probably 95, 98 per cent of clubs have significant debt, whereas we have no debt and we don’t even have a bank overdraft.

“There is a degree of satisfaction in doing things differently. With most clubs it’s three or four results and it’s out with the manager, but the important thing is where the club goes longer term. Paul is an exceptional manager, very well supported by Steve, and if anybody can ensure we produce a performance we can be proud of, it’s them.”

Exeter’s all-time top scorer is Alan Banks - a Scouser who started his career with Liverpool before making his name as a folk hero in central Devon in the 1960s and 70s. While he admits the two clubs are almost incomparable in terms of their history, he believes home advantage will be a sizeable factor on Friday.

“Just look at the size of the clubs. Liverpool have won 18 league championships, they are the only English club to win five European Cups and, if you look at the two sides on Friday, Exeter’s players won’t have cost a penny and Liverpool’s you’re talking close to £200m,” the 77-year-old told Gulf News.

“But the ground is a bit of a leveller. Any of the Liverpool players who haven’t played here before, it is going to be a culture shock when they get in the dressing room - it is so, so tiny, just big enough for 11 players. And when you come to think they’ll have 18 players and all the kit and everything else, it’s going to be a shock alright.

“And if we have any more rain on the pitch, it could really suit Exeter as it will be so wet underfoot. There’s nothing for Exeter City to be afraid of.”

Exeter’s fans have been swept away by the prospect of seeing another Premier League giant visit their West Country base, with hundreds braving the miserable winter weather to queue for the chance to buy a ticket on Saturday.

Paul Gubb was at the front of the line after arriving at 8.30am, an hour and a half before the ticket office even opened. He told Gulf News: “Seeing star players and the Exeter City players on the same pitch together is fantastic. You don’t normally get clubs like Exeter going to Old Trafford and getting a draw in Man United’s back yard - that’s what brings out the magic of the FA Cup.

“There’s always a chance - that’s the thing with the FA Cup. Every time you get giant killers and hopefully this time it will be Exeter City.”

Friday’s match may be David versus Goliath, but Exeter and their fashion savvy boss Tisdale certainly won’t be afraid of making a bold statement against the giants of Liverpool.

Who are Exeter?

Formed in 1904 by merger of local clubs Exeter United and St Sidwell’s United. The club turned professional when entering the Southern League in 1908.

Home ground is St James’ Park (capacity 8,500).

Joined the Football League in 1920 but have never played higher than the third tier.

Toured South America in 1914, when they became the first opponents of the newly formed Brazilian national team. The Selecao returned the favour to mark City’s centenary in 2004, when current Brazil coach Dunga led a team of former stars in an exhibition match at St James’ Park.

Were also in the FA Cup limelight in 2005, when they were drawn away to Manchester United in the third round and earned a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. The replay, which was broadcast live on TV, was won 2-0 by United thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Exeter’s most famous current player is former Republic of Ireland international striker Clinton Morrison.