The History of Exmouth Town FC

Established in 1933

Club History

Formed in 1933, Exmouth Town Football Club played their home games on the Maer Cricket Field, before moving to their current home at Southern Road in 1964.

1970s – 1980s

After many successful seasons in the Devon and Exeter League, they joined the Western League in 1973. After finishing runners-up of division one in 1981-82, they achieved promotion to the Premier Division. They went on to win the Premier Division in 1983-84 and again in 1985-86. Further Western League honours include League Cup winners 1989-90, Premier Division Runners-Up (twice) and the Sportsman Trophy (twice).

1980s – 1990s

In cup competitions, successes included winning the Devon St Lukes Bowl (x3), the Devon Senior Cup and the Devon Premier Cup (x2). In 1984-85 they reached the semi-final of the FA Vase, narrowly losing to Fleetwood Town by the odd goal. Across the two games over 5000 fans came to give their support. During this period, the Club installed floodlights on the grounds and hosted many matches against Football League sides. On the 28 July 1987, they recorded their highest home attendance of 2,395 for a match against Liverpool.

Unfortunately, the success of the eighties did not continue into the nineties. The club was relegated after the 1993-94 season. They were promoted back to the Premier Division for the 2003-04 season, but regrettably were forced to withdraw from the Western League in 2005.

2000s

On the 1^st August 2006, the club reformed as Exmouth Town (2006) AFC, playing in the Devon and Exeter League. At the end of the season, they were promoted into Division One (East) of the newly formed South West Peninsula League, a step seven league in the national pyramid system. The club won the East Division in the 2012-13 season, with the loss of just one league game. They also won the Devon Premier Cup and reached the semi-final of the SWP League Cup. Having achieved promotion to the Premier Division, the side finished as runners-up in season 2013-14.

2010s

Having consolidated their position as a Premier Division side, they finished eighth in season 2014/15 and twelfth in 2015/16. Season 2016/17 saw further improvement when they not only finished fifth in the League but also reached the final of the League cup. Thy also reached the final of the St Lukes Bowl and the last sixteen of the FA Vase.

In 2018/19 they finished runners-up in the league, winning thirteen and drawing two of their games played in 2019. They were then promoted to the Toolstation Western League Premier Division. The 2019/20 season brought highlights in the FA Cup with victories over Southern League sides Barnstaple and Yate Town. When the season was brought to a premature end due to the coronavirus pandemic, Town were well-placed in fifth position. They extended their unbeaten home record dating back to December 2018.

2020s

The 2020/21 season saw Town continue to establish themselves as one of the leading clubs in the Western League. Unfortunately, Covid once again had a devastating effect with the league being curtailed with Town having played just eleven games, winning eight and losing three. They were in third place when the season finished. Leaders, Plymouth Parkway, were promoted to the Southern League on the restructuring of the pyramid system.

The 2021/22 season saw Town enjoy another highly successful season under the Management Team of Kevin Hill and Andy Rawlings. They eventually finished runners-up to Tavistock. The outcome of the League title was not decided until the last day of the season, with Town gaining promotion to the Southern League for the first time in their history.