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?

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.

The Exeter Chiefs – An Introduction

Discussion started by TheLeicesterTigers.co.uk , 28/07/2010 11:02

TheLeicesterTigers.co.uk
28/07/2010 11:02

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

TigerChick
28/07/2010 11:29

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!)

Reply Quote Report

BJ.
28/07/2010 12:17

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!

Reply Quote Report

Johns
28/07/2010 12:26

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.

Reply Quote Report

Stopsy
28/07/2010 12:56

Thanks Ian

Reply Quote Report

Shouts loudly in rain
28/07/2010 13:56

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.

Reply Quote Report

irishaxeman
28/07/2010 17:45

It's a great ground and a lovely town. I'm biased as most of my family lives there.

Reply Quote Report

TigerChick
29/07/2010 10:45

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!)

Reply Quote Report

Rich W
29/07/2010 11:04

Shame the fixture schedule has been so unkind!

...

Reply Quote Report

BJ.
29/07/2010 14:27

Quote:

Rich W
Shame the fixture schedule has been so unkind!

What do you mean? We were going to play somebody on this date so why not the Chiefs?
Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!

Reply Quote Report

Stopsy
29/07/2010 14:52

i think he means some sun & warmth would have been nice for a trip to Exeter

Reply Quote Report

BJ.
29/07/2010 15:02

Sun and warmth? You'll be watching rugby league next!

Rule 1 - if you let it bounce, you've only yourself to blame!

Reply Quote Report

Rich W
29/07/2010 15:06

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.

...

Reply Quote Report

TigerChick
29/07/2010 15:52

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!)

Reply Quote Report

BJ.
29/07/2010 16:00

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 2010:07:29:16:23:18 by BelperJon.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net