The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
By IanB
July 28 2010
The 2011 season will see some new blood introduced to the Guinness Premiership. After beating Bristol in both legs of the Championship Play-off, Exeter Chiefs have earned the right to compete in England’s top flight, and to play in Europe for the first time in their history. But just who are The Exeter Chiefs?
July 28 2010
The 2011 season will see some new blood introduced to the Guinness Premiership. After beating Bristol in both legs of the Championship Play-off, Exeter Chiefs have earned the right to compete in England’s top flight, and to play in Europe for the first time in their history. But just who are The Exeter Chiefs?
The Exeter Rugby Club was founded as far back as 1871, some nine years before the Tigers, and the first recorded Exeter match goes back to October 1873.
Originally playing in a white strip with a black bar across the chest, Exeter changed their colours to all black following a huge loss to the New Zealand All Blacks in 1905. This fixture was played against a Devon side at Exeter’s County Ground, attracting a crowd of 6,000.
Over the years, Exeter has provided international players to England, not least a lock named Thomas Kelly who captained England to a 19-0 victory over France in Paris 1908.
When rugby turned professional in 1998, the home strip was changed to Cambridge Blue as Exeter was rebranded as The Chiefs. Their away strip is predominantly white.
Since then, The Chiefs have continued to build year on year, reaching the finals of the Powergen Shield / EDF Energy Trophy on four of the seven seasons between 2002 and 2008.
Powergen Shield:
2002 - Losing finalists to Rotherham by 35 points to 26.
2003 – Losing finalists to Orrell by 26 points to 20.
EDF Energy Trophy:
2007 – Losing finalists to the Cornish Pirates by 19 points to 16.
2008 - Losing finalists to Northampton by 24 points to 13.
In summer of 2006, the club moved to its current home, Sandy Park and after significant investment the capacity of this ground now stands at 10,094.
Getting to Sandy Park looks fairly straight forward as there are good bus and rail links, and to encourage supporters to get to the ground early and to stay on after the game the club provides pre and post match entertainment to spread the load of traffic on local roads. Beer prices are also reduced between noon and 1:30 on match day, and also after the match to 6:00! Let’s hope that they carry plenty of stock on match days next season!!
By car, the venue is located adjacent to junction 30 off the M5, but with no on-site parking, drivers are directed to two local park&ride car-parks, just a short walk over the A379. There is limited disabled parking at the ground, but contact about booking a space the club before committing.
Finally, congratulation to the Exeter Chiefs on their promotion to the premiership, and I would like to send a very warm welcome to the team and supporters. I am sure that we are all looking forward to visiting Sandy Park and sampling some West Country hospitality, and I hope that you enjoy your trips to the premiership grounds across England and throughout Europe in the coming seasons.
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The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: TheLeicesterTigers.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 28/07/2010 10:02
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Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: TigerChick (IP Logged)
Date: 28/07/2010 10:29
Huge thanks to IanB!
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: BJ. (IP Logged)
Date: 28/07/2010 11:17
If you're thinking about overnighting after the Exeter game on New Year's Day, there's a Travelodge on J30 (half a mile walk to the ground). You can get a room for £29 if you're willing to pay a non-refundable sum when you book.
Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!
Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: johns (IP Logged)
Date: 28/07/2010 11:26
Thanks Ian, wanted to go down for the Tigers game but early January is not the best time.
Thanks for the report though it will help if we are able to go.
Thanks for the report though it will help if we are able to go.
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: Stopsy (IP Logged)
Date: 28/07/2010 11:56
Thanks Ian
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: Shouts loudly in rain (IP Logged)
Date: 28/07/2010 12:56
Thanks for the warm welcome and look forward to seeing you at sandy park. A quick update the stadium capacity will be around 10,700 by the start of the season with the addition of 2 terraces at the each end of the west stand.
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: irishaxeman (IP Logged)
Date: 28/07/2010 16:45
It's a great ground and a lovely town. I'm biased as most of my family lives there.
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: TigerChick (IP Logged)
Date: 29/07/2010 09:45
I for one and a half am really looking forward to going there!
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: Rich W (IP Logged)
Date: 29/07/2010 10:04
Shame the fixture schedule has been so unkind!
..........................................................................
For the avoidance of all doubt please note that the views expressed above are the opinions of the author. I do not make any claim as to their veracity beyond that I believe them to be true. I do not believe that they take precedence over anyone else’s but I maintain my right to question and to refute any opinion expressed on here which runs contrary to mine. Please note that I expect nothing else in return. Please do not, however, be offended should I express doubt as to the accuracy or value of any contribution made by another poster.
Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
..........................................................................
For the avoidance of all doubt please note that the views expressed above are the opinions of the author. I do not make any claim as to their veracity beyond that I believe them to be true. I do not believe that they take precedence over anyone else’s but I maintain my right to question and to refute any opinion expressed on here which runs contrary to mine. Please note that I expect nothing else in return. Please do not, however, be offended should I express doubt as to the accuracy or value of any contribution made by another poster.
Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: BJ. (IP Logged)
Date: 29/07/2010 13:27
Quote:What do you mean? We were going to play somebody on this date so why not the Chiefs?Rich W
Shame the fixture schedule has been so unkind!
Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: Stopsy (IP Logged)
Date: 29/07/2010 13:52
i think he means some sun & warmth would have been nice for a trip to Exeter
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: BJ. (IP Logged)
Date: 29/07/2010 14:02
Sun and warmth? You'll be watching rugby league next! 
Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!
Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: Rich W (IP Logged)
Date: 29/07/2010 14:06
Nope - I don't mind camping in sub zero. I've done it often enough. But a) I'd be doing so on my own and b) it might cramp my New Year celebrations.
..........................................................................
For the avoidance of all doubt please note that the views expressed above are the opinions of the author. I do not make any claim as to their veracity beyond that I believe them to be true. I do not believe that they take precedence over anyone else’s but I maintain my right to question and to refute any opinion expressed on here which runs contrary to mine. Please note that I expect nothing else in return. Please do not, however, be offended should I express doubt as to the accuracy or value of any contribution made by another poster.
Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
..........................................................................
For the avoidance of all doubt please note that the views expressed above are the opinions of the author. I do not make any claim as to their veracity beyond that I believe them to be true. I do not believe that they take precedence over anyone else’s but I maintain my right to question and to refute any opinion expressed on here which runs contrary to mine. Please note that I expect nothing else in return. Please do not, however, be offended should I express doubt as to the accuracy or value of any contribution made by another poster.
Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: TigerChick (IP Logged)
Date: 29/07/2010 14:52
Yeah, 2 trips to Exeter in the same (cold and wintery) month is pretty poor planning.
We'll be there at one of them, for sure!
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
We'll be there at one of them, for sure!
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
Re: The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction
Posted by: BJ. (IP Logged)
Date: 29/07/2010 15:00
Indeed. We'll be there for the first game but you know what you can do with the LV Cup.
Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:07:29:15:23:18 by BelperJon.
Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:07:29:15:23:18 by BelperJon.
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