Exeter Chiefs 20 Leicester 24: Match report

September 13, 2014, 9:31 am

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Exeter Chiefs lost 24-20 in their first home game of the season against Leicester Tigers. Dave Ewers and Haydn Thomas crossed for tries for the home side, with Gareth Steenson converting both and landing two penalties. Anthony Allen and Ben Youngs crossed for Leicester's tries, with Freddie Burns and Owen Williams sharing kicking duties. Exeter were given a helping hand early on when Tigers winger Vereniki Goneva was sent to the sin bin in the sixth minute for a high tackle on Haydn Thomas. The home side took advantage of the extra man as Ewers drove over from close range, with Steenson slotting the extras. The Tigers levelled midway through the half as Allen raced onto Burns' grubber, just holding off the challenge of Henry Slade to dot the ball down before going out of play. The fly-half converted from under the sticks. Thomas caught the defence napping towards the end of the first half as he twisted over for Steenson to convert. From 14-7 up with three minutes to go before half-time, Exeter gave away a couple of soft penalties to allow Burns to close the gap. Steenson kicked one in between those efforts as the Chiefs turned around with a 17-13 advantage. More indiscretion cost the Chiefs at the start of the second period as Burns was able to cut the gap to a single point. Youngs was driven over by his teammates following a spell of pressure from Leicester and Exeter went close at the other end, with Ian Whitten racing away after grabbing the loose ball from a high kick, but Sam Hill couldn't take his inside pass. The home side's pressure paid off as Steenson slotted a penalty to close to within one point with 10 minutes left on the clock. Ewers was sent to the cooler for illegally stopping a drive from close range, and the penalties kept flowing to allow replacement Owen Williams to kick the decisive score three minutes from time.Exeter Chiefs: Botha; Whitten, Slade, Hill, Jess; Steenson, Thomas (Chudley, 52); Rimmer (Moon, 52), Yeandle, Francis (Low, 54), Lees (Welch, 52), Caldwell, Ewers, White (Horstmann, 72), Waldrom. Reps (not used): Taione, Sweeney, ArnottScorers: tries – Ewers, Thomas; cons – Steenson (2); pen – Steenson (2)Yellow card: EwersLeicester Tigers: Tait; Morris, Tuilagi, Allen, Goneva; Burns (Williams, 74), B Youngs (Mele, 72); Mulipola, T Youngs (Ghiraldini, 56), Balmain (Brugnara, 74), Kitchener (De Chaves, 68), Parling, Gibson, Salvi, Barbieri (Crane, 52). Reps (not used): Pasquali, SmithScorers: tries – Allen, B Youngs; con – Burns; pens – Burns (3), WilliamsYellow card: GonevaReferee: JP DoyleAttendance: 9,721

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Exeter City 1 Oxford United 1: Match report

September 13, 2014, 9:37 am

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Exeter City picked up a well-earned point with a much-improved performance against Oxford United at St James's Park. Graham Cummins got his first goal for the Grecians from the spot after four minutes, before Callum O'Dowda levelled matters 11 minutes later. However, having only got one shot in target in their previous loss to Mansfield United last Saturday, City were much better against Oxford forcing the Yellows keeper George Long into a number of saves. Paul Tisdale made one change to the side that started last week's defeat to Mansfield Town, bringing Matt Grimes in for Pat Baldwin who is out with a knee injury. Captain Scot Bennett started up front alongside Cummins and Alex Nicholls, in an attack-minded 5-2-3 formation. It paid dividends as City were in front inside five minute as Bennett won the ball back in Oxford's half and Cummins chipped a through ball for Nicholls. The on-loan striker took the ball around George Long, who brought him down and was lucky not to receive a red card for the foul. The resulting penalty was expertly dispatched by Cummins into the bottom right-hand corner of the net for his first goal for the Grecians. However, Oxford were level inside 10 minutes as Danny Hylton raced down the right side of the pitch and delivered a swinging ball to the back post, which was side-footed home by Callum O'Dowda. The Grecians were slightly the better side in the remainder of the first half, but both sides defending with a degree of nervousness that would you expect from two teams who went into the match without a win to their name. City thought they had taken the lead again on 22 minutes but, when Moore-Taylor's free-kick into the area was headed on, Wheeler was deemed to have been in an offside position as he looped a header into the back of the net. Matt Grimes then hit a speculative long-range effort that Long was forced to turn behind. From the resulting corner, Bennett had a close range header - that was saved by Long - and Sercombe's follow up effort was blocked on the edge of the six yard box. It was three shots on target in the space of a minute and three times the amount City had managed in last week's dire loss to Mansfield Town. Oxford still looked threatening on the counter and Pym, who put in another excellent performance, had to be quick off his line to dive at the feet of Tyrone Barnett and Jordan Moore-Taylor as they tussled for a loose ball in the box. Pym then produced an outstanding save to stop a Johnny Mullins from volleying the visitors into the lead as City failed to deal with a corner into their box. City went up the other end immediately and won a corner of the own, but Nicholls placed his free header a foot over the crossbar. The half then ended with Cummins heading wide as Grimes floated another ball into the Oxford area. A minute into the second half and City were on the front foot again as Sercombe curled a free-kick into the arms of Long. Seven minutes later Alex Nichols flashed a right-foot shot inches wide of the post and then Cummins hit a low drive as City continued to dominate the early second-half proceedings. Michael Appleton made a switch on the hour mark to try and change the flow of the game, bringing on Alex Jakubiak for David Hunt. However, the amount of time Oxford's right-back took to leave the field suggested that the Yellows were quite content with the 1-1 scoreline. Tisdale made his first change of the match, with 20 minutes to go, as he brought on new loan signing David Noble who has returned to St James's Park for his second spell at the club. His first meaningful action of the game was to lunge into a well-timed tackle in the middle of the park, which brought warm applause from the home supporters as they urged the City forward to try and find a winner. Cummins, with a header, and Sercombe, with a close range shot, both warmed the gloves of Long, but City failed to make their dominance in possession tell in the closing stages and both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. The point was enough to lift Oxford out of the relegation places, but City remain in the bottom two ahead of Tuesday's trip to Cambridge. Exeter City (5-2-3): Pym, Wheeler, Ribeiro (Noble, 70), Oakley, Moore-Taylor, Woodman, Wheeler (Keohane, 76), Grimes (Davies, 79), Sercombe, Bennett, Nicholls, Cummins. Subs not used: Hamon, Butterfield, Keohane, Davies, Nichols, Tillson. Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Long, Hunt (Jakubiak, 59), Mullins, Wright ©, Newey, Riley, O'Dowda (Brown, 87), Collins, Hylton, Ruffels, Barnett (Rose, 76). Subs not used: Crocombe, Raynes, Rose, Brown, Morris, Potter, Jakubiak. Booked: Barnett (57). Attendance: 3,076. Away: 434. Referee: James Linington.

AUDIO: Tisdale encouraged by improved performance as Exeter City draw with Oxford United

September 13, 2014, 10:01 am

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Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale admitted he was pleased with an improved performance from his side as they drew 1-1 with Oxford United at home. However, the City manager was less than pleased with the fourth official after he indicated to the referee that the home bench weren't complaining that George Long hand't got sent-off after conceding a fourth minute penalty. Listen to the manager's thoughts above.

Motorcyclist dies after crash on A38

September 13, 2014, 10:17 am

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A MOTORCYCLIST has been killed following a crash on the A38. It is understood the bike collided with a barrier shortly after 2.50pm and emergency services were called to the scene. Police have closed a section of the A38 outside Plymouth in Cornwall after the fatal accident. It is on a stretch of road westbound a short distance past the Liskeard turnoff. As a result the road has been closed in both directions between the Island Shop junction and the Twelvewoods roundabout. Fire crews, paramedics and police are currently at the scene. No details regarding the motorcyclist has been released at this time

Crews called to fire at home in Tiverton

September 13, 2014, 10:26 am

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Fire crews attended a home in Tiverton today. Two fire appliances from Tiverton station were mobilised to reports of a domestic fire just after 11.30am. On arrival, crews confirmed one small fire due to unattended cooking, which was out before the arrival of fire service

Tiverton Town 0 Bideford 0: Match report

September 13, 2014, 10:27 am

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Tiverton Town overcame the early sending off of Owen Howe to produce a superb rearguard action and book an FA Cup replay with local rivals Bideford after a tempestuous draw at Ladysmead on Saturday. Howe saw red – literally and figuratively – after just eight minutes, headbutting former Tivvy striker Matt Wright following a mêlée sparked by a late challenge from James Richards. Wright himself was dismissed after the final whistle following an altercation with Jesse Howe – a last bizarre twist on an already-strange afternoon. In facing higher-league Bideford, the Yellows faced an uphill challenge even before Owen Howe was sent off against his former club. Their cause was not helped by Adam Bilcock being stretchered off after a reoccurrence of the knee injury he sustained on the opening day of the season against Larkhall Athletic. Although the red card did result in the visitors seeing plenty of the ball in Tiverton's half, it was actually the hosts who created the better chances. Such was Tivvy's commitment and determination following the red card that Chris Wright only had one save of note to make, superbly tipping over a Richard Grove free-kick. At the other end, former Yellow Lloyd Irish superbly tipped Ethan Phillips' effort around the post, while the impressive Jesse Howe and substitute Jimmy Hinds both had chances late-on. Howe could only toe-poke his shot wide, while Hinds – who was clean through although at a tight angle – forced another save out of Irish. Despite their numerical advantage, Bideford lacked the craft to penetrate a determined Yellows defence. And come the final whistle, it was actually the visitors who seemed the happier with the draw, meaning a replay at The Sports Ground on Tuesday. Tiverton Town: Wright, Wannell, Faux, Bilcock (Hinds, 21) Gardner, Phillips, Owen Howe, Dan Western, Jesse Howe (Badavi, 73). Subs not used: Searle, Goss, Rogers, McGovern Attendance: 356

Emergency services help man stuck under a quad bike in Devon

September 13, 2014, 10:30 am

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Emergency services had to rescue a man who was stuck under a quad bike. Fire crews, including one appliance from Moretonhampstead, another from Bovey Tracey and a specialist rescue crew from Middlemoor, attended the scene in Bridford just before 4pm today. On arrival, crews assisted the Ambulance personnel with lifting of the quad bike and giving first aid.

Motorist freed from vehicle after crash near Exeter Airport

September 13, 2014, 10:37 am

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Fire crews had to free a motorist from his vehicle after it left the road near Exeter Airport. One fire appliance from Danes Castle, another from Middlemoor ande a third from Topsham fire station attended the site of the crash on the A30B at Daisymount just after 11.30am today. On arrivsal, crews confirmed one vehicle had left the road and was on the embankment with one male trapped inside. Crews stabilised the vehicle and released the male

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Police appeal after indecent assault at football match in Devon

September 13, 2014, 10:47 am

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POLICE are appealing for information to help track down a man who indecently assaulted a woman at a football game. Officers say Totnes and Dartington football club were playing Vospers and they are keen to hear from people watching the game who may be able to help with their inquiries. The match took place at Weston Mill football field in Plymouth. The man police want to find is described as being white, stocky, around 5ft 10ins tall, aged 50 to 55 years with short grey hair. He had a broad Scottish accent, tattoos on his forearm and dog bite marks to his left hand. He wore shorts and a green short-sleeved sports top. Investigators say he was seen talking to a couple called Vincent and Tracey who were also watching the match. Police are very keen to identify the man or anyone who was at the match who can assist them with their inquiries. Call 101.

Life-saver who resuscitated friend at football match in Cullompton helps launch new campaign

September 13, 2014, 11:01 am

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A life saver from Cullompton is calling on football fans to learn first aid and support St John Ambulance's new Celebrate Like a Hero campaign. Chris Richards rushed to the aid of his friend, Paul Tapp and resuscitated him, when he went into cardiac arrest just minutes into the second half of a charity football match, two years ago. Using his first aid knowledge and the defibrillator from his car, which he keeps as part of his job, Chris saved Paul's life. 'I felt fine before the match, no different to any other morning,' said Paul. 'I'd never had any heart problems; I try to eat healthily, have never smoked and only drink socially at weekends. 'It was quite an emotional day. I was extremely lucky; there are no two ways about it.' Cullompton Rangers have since bought their own defibrillator for use at matches thanks to an anonymous donation. 'I was just doing what I have been trained to do; it just so happened that I was in the right place at the right time and had the right equipment to help save Paul's life,' said Chris, who won an award from St John Ambulance for saving Paul's life. 'If more people had these vital skills then we can give people like Paul a better chance of surviving.' St John Ambulance's Celebrate Like a Hero (www.sja.org.uk/football) campaign advert features an everyday emergency and someone giving life saving first aid, as Premier League commentator Martin Tyler describes the action. The tongue-in-cheek film asks an important question: in a life or death situation, would you be a hero, or a spectator? St John Ambulance's South West regional director Steve Hargreaves said: 'Our volunteers have been keeping fans safe at football matches for over a century. 'But this September, we want to make sure fans can be the difference between life and death themselves, inside or outside the turnstiles. 'Emergencies can happen anywhere - on the pitch, at home or out and about. As Celebrate Like a Hero shows, downloading our free first aid app to your smartphone means you will always have the skills to be a first aid hero, wherever you are.' The campaign has the support of The Premier League, Football League and the Football Supporter's Federation. For more information about Celebrate Like a Hero and to watch the campaign film visit www.sja.org.uk/football For more information on St John Ambulance's work, including how to become a volunteer and details of training for the public, schools and businesses, visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.

Exeter Cathedral will light up gold in support of children's cancer charity

September 13, 2014, 11:33 am

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Exeter Cathedral will join a host of landmark buildings across the UK which will be turning gold on the evening of September 15 to support CLIC Sargent - the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families. Every month, thousands of families deal with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Cancer treatment for children is often gruelling and can start immediately, last as long as three years and take place many miles from home. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness of the impact of childhood cancer, and of CLIC Sargent's work supporting young cancer patients and their families. Other landmarks set to go gold include Blackpool Tower, SSE Hydro, Salisbury Cathedral and the Brighton Wheel. CLIC Sargent Chief Executive Lorraine Clifton said: "We're thrilled that the Exeter Cathedral will be lighting up gold as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. "Every month, thousands of families deal with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment, and CLIC Sargent is here to provide vital practical, emotional and financial support from diagnosis onwards. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity for everyone to show they are standing by children with cancer." Cressida Peers, Events Coordinator at Exeter Cathedral, said: "We're really excited to go gold for CLIC Sargent. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a fantastic opportunity to show we are standing by children with cancer, and their families."

Clean up to begin after travellers left Hamlin Lane playing fields in Exeter

September 13, 2014, 11:39 am

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Travellers who had set up camp on playing fields in Exeter more than week ago left the site today. Around 20 caravans arrived at Hamlin Lane playing fields, causing the cancellation of several local football matches. Exeter City Council had applied to the court for an eviction order. The hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday. But the travellers left this afternoon and the clean up will now begin. The fields are run by Stoke Hill AFC under a 25 year lease from the city council. Club chairman Paul Howe said: "They left early afternoon today. "I will secure the site tomorrow morning and have advised the council to put the padlock back on the barrier. "The clean up will then begin next week."

Exeter magistrates take pity on dog owner who allowed pet to foul a street in Tiverton

September 13, 2014, 1:49 pm

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MAGISTRATES took pity on a builder who failed to pay a fine for allowing his dog to foul a Mid Devon street when they heard he was in spiral of debt and depression. A district council officer issued Thomas Rowledge with an £80 fixed penalty notice after he failed to clean up after his pet in Queensway, Tiverton, on February 1. The 28-year-old was given time to pay the fine, which would have been reduced to £30 had he settled it within 10 days. But Exeter Magistrates' Court was told that Mid Devon District Council heard nothing from the resident of Holly Road, Tiverton, despite writing to him and eventually issued a court summons. Council solicitor Simon Johnson said the authority would be seeking to recoup prosecution costs of around £600, in addition to any fine issued by the court. At Exeter Magistrates Court this afternoon Rowledge, who is self employed, admitted contravening a dog control order. The court heard that although the defendant was employed, he had significant outgoings which meant he was left with just £85 at the end of every month. He had considerable credit card debts, council rent arrears and was being pursued by HM Revenue and Customs for unpaid income tax. The court was not given details of his financial situation but he said he owed thousands rather than hundreds of pounds and although in work was not earning much. "I'm in lots of debt and on anti-depressants and I buried my head in the sand," he told magistrates. "But I'm taking them [the anti-depressants] and dealing with the situation." The court heard that he lived with his 10-year-old son and gave financial support to a previous partner who looked after their daughter. Magistrates gave him credit for pleading guilty to the charge at the earliest opportunity, they fined him £100, ordered him to pay costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £20. The case against another Tiverton resident, Georgina Holmes, 38, of Church Street, who is alleged to have allowed her dog to foul Bridge Street, Tiverton, on April 8 without clearing up after it, was adjourned. The court heard that Holmes was being treated by a psychological therapist for anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Magistrates asked for reports from medics to be submitted before deciding whether to pursue the case further.

Exeter University to feature on BBC show Sky at Night tonight

September 13, 2014, 11:09 pm

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A postgraduate student from The University of Exeter will appear on BBC Four's Sky at Night programme today. (Sunday) The programme, titled 'The Hunt for ET', will feature location shots from around The University, and will focus on the Physics and Astronomy department's work on exoplanets (planets that orbit other stars). The University of Exeter, acclaimed for producing world-class research, has one of the largest astrophysics groups working in the field of star formation and exoplanet research at any institution. The team focuses on some of the most fundamental problems in modern astronomy, including research into how stars and planets form. Postgraduate student Hannah Wakeford, who took part in the filming, said " It was great to be able to discuss the extent of information we have on exoplanet atmospheres and the amazing speed of progress in the field." Professor Ken Evans, Dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, mirrored Wakeford's excitement: "We are delighted to have been able to host the Sky at Night for this fascinating programme. Our research here at Exoplanets is playing a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of what lies beyond our own solar system, and Hannah is one of an exceptional team of staff and students within the department producing this world-leading research." The programme, which will be aired at 10pm on Sunday, will discuss new developments in exoplanet research and whether we are alone in the universe.

Q & A with Exeter Chiefs Tony Rowe: From boatman to boss at Sandy Park

September 13, 2014, 11:26 pm

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THE Aviva Premiership rugby season is now in full swing and the Exeter Chiefs are gunning for a top six finish and a place in the new format European Rugby Champions Cup. Tony Rowe, the man credited with transforming the club into a massively successful brand, explains how it happened. What's your background? I am from Portsmouth. I joined the Royal Marines band at 15 in 1964. My first band was the Portsmouth Group Band of The Royal Marines. I was made redundant after eight years in 1972 when they cut back the armed forces. Because I was being made redundant I was given time off to retrain and I retrained as a two-stroke marine engineer. I then set up a business repairing outboard motors which led me to driving racing boats. How long did you do that for? I was a semi-professional racing boat pilot for 10 years. All the money I earned fixing engines I spent on racing. Did you win anything? I was UK champion in circuit power boat in 1976 and was part of the only all English team to win the Rouen 24 hours power boat race, which is like the Le Mans 24 hours but for boats. I had a great life for 10 years. I had my business mending and racing boats, but I felt I needed to get a proper job. What sort of proper job did you get? My desire for a proper job coincided with the privatisation of the telecommunications market and BT; at the time I thought there could be some money in that. It was almost like black art because the only people who knew the industry were from BT. I asked a couple of guys I knew to come and work for me as telecommunications engineers, which they did and we were like pioneers. The Government had suddenly created a whole new market, and that's when I set up South West Telecoms. Where did you set that up? We were near Exeter's central station at first, then we moved to Marsh Barton and finally we built our head office on the Sowton Industrial Estate. When I left the Royal Marines I had every intention of going back to Portsmouth but I never got back there. I have had many opportunities in my life to travel but I love Devon and I love Exeter. In Devon there are a lot of people like me, blow-ins, who came from somewhere else and stayed, but in Devon people get accepted and it makes the place great. How was business at first? The first few years were a struggle because there was a shortage of equipment for the private sector. BT still had a big stronghold on the market, but we managed. The first engineers I ever employed are still with us to this day. My first salesman I employed at Telecoms is still working with me. He's working with me at the Exeter Chiefs rugby club. We struggled for equipment and to break into new markets but in 1998 we started to see the woods from the trees and business picked up. What does South West Telecoms do, or did? We were a telecommunications, service and maintenance business. We sold small telecom systems to the small businesses. We quickly realised that the smaller companies were buying these telecommunications systems on finance, so we decided to start our own finance company so we could offer the whole package. In the early 90s we could see what was on the horizon was integration of voice and data so we bought a small data company called Bit Rate Data which we integrated into our company. That gave us the experience and knowledge to go into the data side of business. How did the company evolve over the years? In the mid-90s we built a Data Hotel to host thousands of racks of data. And today we host thousands of websites from all over the world. Having completed our integration between voice and data we changed our name and we became the South West Communications group. Along the way we bought an office block in Portsmouth and two others in Exeter in which we have a managed office business which rents out desks and office services to businesses. I also a bought a company in receivership in Somerset which refurbishes enamelled range cookers. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I guess I'm always ready for a challenge. What's your turnover and how many staff do you employ? Our total turnover is about £25 million and we have 150 staff across the group. We are where we are with the business. The technology supporting modern business is developing day by day. We have come off the back of a tough old recession. I suffered a recession in the 90s, in 2000 but this has been the toughest I have seen. Our business suffered as a result of being as a service provider for the business sector. We have been treading water for the past two to three years but we are starting to see growth again. It's good to see pre-recession levels of business again. We have a pretty diverse business, from managed offices to a data centre. It's interesting to see that all the elements of our business are back in the black and are moving forward. Why and when did you get involved with Exeter Rugby Club? Back in 1993 I was friendly with a chap who was a former rugby player at the club. He said the club was struggling and needed money to endure. The club was not commercially orientated at all. When I was building my own business I was trying to engage the business community. Their sports are golf and rugby. We were already sponsoring the golf club so I thought we should get involved in rugby too. I thought sport was a good vehicle to promote my business. I got involved with the club as a sponsor at first. I had a close relationship with the then chairman and when the game turned pro I gave the club some advice which resulted in me forming a board of directors in 1998 and turning the club into a limited company. That's when Exeter Rugby became a proper business. Sport is a business. We must not forget that. It is a business which has to make a profit so the sporting side of things can continue. I see too many business people who get involved in sport and forget everything they've learned in business. They forget how to make it financially successful. When did you take over the club? I took over running the club in 1998. We set some goals and I am pleased that we have achieved some of them. But there's a long way to go. What's your favourite moment as owner of the club? Bristol 2010 when we won the Championship and gained promotion into the Premiership. How is the club doing financially? The club has gone from strength to strength on the pitch and commercially. From 1998 to 2008 I built the business up from a turnover of £200,000 a year to more than £1 million a year. We couldn't do much where we were so we moved to Sandy Park. In our first year the turnover went to £3 million. Now it has grown year on year and we have a £10 million turnover. I expect we'll have £11.5 million turnover next year and some profits too. It's not Premiership football, but in rugby terms, it is one of four clubs which make a profit and are run like proper businesses. When we looked at the challenges of Premiership rugby, building a stadium where you only play 16 times a year didn't make sense commercially. The business people who enjoy rugby also like being wined and dined, I had also noted that there was a lack of event and conferencing facilities in Exeter. So we built Sandy Park to be a conference centre which can be adapted to rugby. The core business of Sandy Park is events and conferencing. This pays for the rugby. What money the business generates goes into the club. Not the other way round. The reason our match day is a big event is because we have great conferencing and event facilities to do it. What sort of investment have you made in Sandy Park? Sandy Park initially cost £15 million and we are investing £10 million into the facilities to increase the size of our conference and banqueting facilities. The spin-off is that we have a bigger facility to get more people on match day, which generates more revenue. Conferencing and rugby support each other. They would not be sustainable on their own. What is the Sandy Park's capacity? Last season we finished with a capacity of 10,750. When our extension work in preparation for next year's World Cup is done we will have a capacity of 12,500. We have also increased our kitchen and banqueting capacity. Before our kitchen could produce 650 sit-down three-course meals at one sitting. Now we can do 1,300. When you think most venues in the region can do 100 to 250 covers, what we have makes this the biggest conference and events facilities in the South West. Why the name 'Chiefs'? In 1998 when I took over the club I was aware of the club's rich history. Exeter Rugby was founded in 1871. we needed to make it more marketable. It needed a brand. I happened to be talking to one of the old players. He suggested we call the club the Chiefs. He said there had always been a tradition in the Westcountry of calling the first 15 Chiefs and the second 15 United. It may have been an old navy slang for 'bosses'. We did our research and we started calling ourselves what we had in fact always been known as. We are the first 15. We are the Chiefs. Someone gave me an old match programme from 1904 and the first team was known as the Chiefs then. It is historically correct. All we've done is some branding around it. The supporters did the rest. The tomahawks and drums, the fans did that, but it's great. What's next for the Chiefs? Commercially we are trying to get a return on our investment. We have spent £25 million at Sandy Park in the past eight years. We have got to drive the business on so it produces revenues and enables the rugby to grow. My ambition is to see the Chiefs become one of the top six teams in England year on year and establish ourselves in Europe. We are trying to build a club which is self-sufficient and can grow its own players. I'm pleased to see that 40 per cent of the squad are local Westcountry guys. We have a fantastic academy which is now producing top English players. When not busy managing several businesses, how do you relax? I now have a young family. I make sure we have regular holidays. I spent too many years chasing the money. Now my family is the most important thing to me. Luckily my family loves rugby so we come and watch the games and support the club together. I also have a collection of real fire engines and about 350 model fire engines. I got into that 25 years ago when I saw an old fire engine in a scrap yard. It must have sparked some childhood memory because I bought it and had it restored. That was the start of my collection. I bought a small-holding because I needed the space to house my fire engines. I love motorbikes too. I have done long-distance trips from Cape Town to Cairo and around South America and Northern Europe. I also collect English stamps. I suppose I'm a bit of a magpie really. ends

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Injured Royal Marines from Exeter and Honiton celebrate medals at Invictus Games

September 13, 2014, 11:52 pm

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A ROYAL Marine from Exeter who suffered horrific injuries during an IED explosion in Afghanistan is celebrating after winning two medals at the Invictus Games. Paul Vice, pictured with Prince Harry and Prince Williams during the event, got a gold in the cycling and a bronze in the archery event. The father-of-four, who was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery during two previous incidents, received more than 114 wounds to his torso with more than 400 pieces of shrapnel and stones removed from his body by surgeons. In addition the corporal suffered a broken neck, a damaged left eye, was deafened in one ear and suffered a stroke, a brain injury, paralysis down his right side, nerve damage down his left and was thought to be clinically dead twice during his evacuating helicopter flight. Ray Lowrie, who lost a leg in an accident while on exercise in Norway, secured a gold in the team event, and two individual silver medals, in the one and four minute event. He recently moved from Exeter to Honiton and is a member of Exeter Rowing Club. He tweeted after the medal ceremony: "Such a great day."

Tributes to British aid worker David Haines after beheading video released

September 14, 2014, 12:08 am

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A video has been released that appears to show the beheading of British hostage David Haines. His murder has been described as an "act of pure evil" by David Cameron, who has returned to Downing Street following release of the footage. Mr Haines, 44, was .working as an aid worker when he was seized in Syria in 2013 and held by Islamic State militants.. A threat to kill a second British hostage was included in the video. Mr Cameron has responded by vowing to do 'everything possible' to find the killers. Mr Haines's family paid tribute and said he would be "missed terribly". His brother Mike said: "David was most alive and enthusiastic in his humanitarian roles. "His joy and anticipation for the work he went to do in Syria is for myself and family the most important element of this whole sad affair. "He was and is loved by all his family and will be missed terribly."

Calls to remove 'sexist' advert promoting Exeter business centre

September 14, 2014, 12:45 am

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There are calls to remove a 'sexist' advert in Exeter. The giant poster uses a large-chested woman to advertise business space for the Matford Business Centre in Marsh Barton claiming that 'Size is Important'. One woman said: "We need to start a move to wipe out this sexist poster shouting at us that women are objects to be used by men. "I can't believe owners of businesses in Exeter would want to be remotely associated with such blatant sexism." What do you think? Let us know in the comment box below.

Tour of Britain will not return to Devon in 2015

September 14, 2014, 1:12 am

≫ Next: MOBO winners Big Brovaz and X-Factor's Kitty Brucknell announce Exeter gigs

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The burgeoning Tour of Britain will not be visiting Devon next year. Organisers of the race say they are plotting a route east in 2015 - missing out Devon - though moves are already afoot to create a day or night race to fill the gap. Huge crowds again lined roadside on Thursday as stage five wound its way from Exmouth to Exeter via Dartmoor. In the eight years the county has featured, the longest run of anywhere outside London, the race has brought in more than £27million for the local economy, promoting the region to a worldwide television audience. Last year alone it generated almost £6million when a record breaking 250,000 spectators lined the route. Ron Keegan, vice president of Mid Devon Cycling Club, said the detour was a sign of the race's growing prestige. "Selfishly, and for the people of Devon I would like to see it here every year but we have just been very lucky," he added. "Apart from the traditional finish at the Champs-Élysées in Paris the Tour de France takes a different route each year. "The status of the Tour of Britain has risen with extra points for the riders to just below a Grand Tour - we have had more than our fair share and the way its progressing we might get it every other year." Visitors, schoolchildren, cycling fans and local communities turned out right along the 110 mile route last week. But pubs, cafes, restaurants also received a late season boost as thousands of fans packed into towns along the route. Hotels, such as the Woodbury Park Golf and Country Club where tour officials and Team Sky stayed, also felt the benefit. Among the 114 riders lining up in the race at the start of the day were superstar riders Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, and Marcel Kittel. Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski - touted as a future grand tour winner - started and finished the day in the Yellow Jersey. Matthias Brandle of IAM Cycling, broke away from a leading group on the final climb to take a solo stage victory in Exeter High Street. Speaking later at a press conference the rider said the Devon crowds had been "amazing". Alastair Grant, commercial director of Sweetspot Group which organises the tour, told the WMN on Sunday a new deal had been signed to take the race up to 2018, taking the route across the country. "We are planning to move the race around more now so there won't be an opportunity for a Devon stage," he added. "We are already planning ahead for 2016 so we might be back then – but in the meantime Exeter does have the Rugby World Cup coming next year." Asked after the finish in Exeter whether Cornwall might figure on their plans for the gruelling eight-day tour, he said he would "never say never". However, he added that there were "challenges" taking the event to every corner of the UK, particularly the need to travel between stages, which ideally should not take more than a couple of hours. "We are the organisers of the Tour series event taking place in May and June and will be sitting down shortly to discuss the future – we have a great relationship with people down here and will certainly be back." Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member with responsibility for cycling, said: "Year after year people across Devon have turned out in their droves to support this event and they have done themselves proud again. "We currently have no plans to host a cycling event in Devon next year as the major sporting event we will be focusing on is the 2015 Rugby World Cup." Hugh Roberts, chief executive of Sweetspot Group, said: "It's always great to be in our spiritual home of Devon. The size of the crowds never ceases to amaze me and we can't wait to come back in 2016."

MOBO winners Big Brovaz and X-Factor's Kitty Brucknell announce Exeter gigs

September 14, 2014, 1:27 am

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MOBO award winning band Big Brovaz will be in concert at Exeter's Lemon Grove later this year. on Monday 17th November 2014. Big Brovaz Formed in 2002 and have had several top 20 singles in the charts including hits Nuflow, Baby Boy and Favourite Things. They will be singing all of their classics including new release Here Comes the Sun. Also on the bill for the gig on Monday, November 17, is Booty Luv whose hit include Shine. Kitty Brucknell will be on the bill for the night as well. She is best known for her time on the X FACTOR becoming a finalist in 2011. She has a brand new album being released in late October aswell as a single called glitter in the sky which has had some rave reviews already. The support for the night will be Stolen Identity.