International football celebrated at the Sports Park

The Club once again celebrated diversity in the local community when its 10^th annual summer five a-side tournament was held at the University of Exeter’s Sports Park on Streatham Campus.

The competition encourages participation from local black and minority ethnic teams and attracted players from many different parts of the world.

Sixteen teams battled it out for the One Game One Community trophy with Pegland United from Budleigh Salterton emerging as worthy winners. They defeated Not Aka Lou from Newton Abbot in the final.

The losing semi-finalists were Afghan United and Balkan, who included players from Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

The plate match saw Polish side Drink Team beat the Devon Lions, a local gay friendly football team.

The Fran Jenkin Fair Play award went to the Latino Toros whose side had a truly united nations flavour with players from Vietnam, Hungary, Trinidad, Mexico, and Wales.

The tournament was organised by Exeter City Supporters Trust’s One Game One Community Group in partnership with the University of Exeter, Exeter City Council, Devon FA, Kick it Out, Exeter City FC Football in the Community, and Tesco.

The tournament was launched by Exeter’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Percy Prowse supported by University of Exeter Deputy Vice-chancellor Mark Goodwin, Exeter City FC Vice-Chairman Julian Tagg, and Exeter City first team player Ollie Watkins.

Exeter City’s One Game One Community Group is part of the national Kick it Out campaign which aims to address all types of  discrimination in football including race, disability, gender, age, religion, and sexual orientation.

Martin Weiler from the Exeter City One Game One Community Group expressed his delight at another successful tournament. He said. “This was another wonderful example of football bringing people together and it was especially fitting to play the tournament just hours before the World Cup final day. Everyone at Exeter City is very proud to have put on an event with a difference and to continue to fly the flag for equality and diversity”.