A record breaking 2024/25 season saw Exmouth Town achieve their highest ever league finish, and reach the Southern League Division One South play-offs. 

Let’s relieve some of those special moments, and go through the highs and lows of a memorable league campaign.

AUGUST

Exmouth’s season began in the FA Cup, welcoming Street to the newly-named Complete Infrastructure Stadium. A Tom Bath goal made the difference, but after a terrible injury to Jack Thorne ended play against Brixham, with Town 3-0 up with over an hour played, a replay saw the now-promoted Western League side run out 2-0 winners. 

In the league, a 3-0 win against Thatcham started proceedings, and a brilliant away win at Bideford showcased Town’s new attacking force, as well as Exeter City loanee Frankie Phillips’ ability between the sticks. Quick-fire trips to pre-season favourites Melksham and Yate saw Town leave with only point, but with good performances in the bank.

SEPTEMBER

Town got back to winning ways by avenging an FA Trophy defeat from last season, beating Kidlington 4-1, where Bath would put his best effort towards the goal of the season, with a stunning effort from range. Unfortunately, Exmouth’s first real poor performance saw them dumped out by Horndean at home.

The performance of 2024 came at the ‘home of football’ when Yate were beaten 2-0 by a relentless Town side, who followed that up in the league with two straight wins against Tavistock, one in the Devon Bowl and one in the league.

OCTOBER

Set-pieces were becoming a real strength of Exmouth’s attacking prowess, and two Louis Morison headers helped them over the line against Cribbs. A slight blip in form saw Town lose two on the spin, against Falmouth and Larkhall, but spirits remained strong as a resilient display away at Thatcham put them back on the proverbial horse.

Ethan Slater helped Exmouth pull off the greatest heist in Southern League history, as they stole a point at home to Mousehole, and two late goals against Didcot, a game where Town only had two substitutes available, proved the sheer strength of character in this team. An early red card to Karl Riddell did not affect Town away at Bashley, with a hat-trick of Isaac McCue assists giving the visitors a 4-0 win.

NOVEMBER

Callum Shipton marked the celebration of his 200 appearances with a goal in a 2-0 win against Shaftesbury, followed by an end-to-end 2-2 draw against Malvern Town giving each side a hard-earned point.

Plymouth Argyle came to Town in the Devon Bowl, but their U23 side proved too strong for a rotated Exmouth side, and ran out 4-2 winners. A win against Westbury was the best it got for the rest of November, as late defeats to Willand Rovers and Bristol Manor Farm meant the month ended with two straight losses.

The Manor Farm was Kevin Hill’s 250th game in charge of the club, but a referee absence meant that the Town legend spent the anniversary running the line.

DECEMBER

Hill would make headlines once again, as a season-ending injury to Nelson Iseguan meant that the joint-manager was the only substitute left to come on, and he inspired Town to a late 1-o win. Bath was the goalscorer, and he was continuing on his top scorer charge, while Phillips saved another penalty, helping him earn the nickname ‘clean sheet Frankie’ following a string of excellent goalkeeping displays.

Conditions were not ideal in December, and affected play against Evesham, with a tense 0-0 draw commencing. A win away at Helston on Boxing Day was quickly met with a controversial defeat at home to Bideford, where refereeing decisions took precedent.