Exeter University Football Club Reunion: 12-14 November 2021
What a great weekend!
The 2nd EUAFC alumni reunion was held in Exeter in November after a pandemic forced delay. In total 77 attended from across several decades and a great time was had by all. It all started for some with golf on the Friday at Dawlish Warren, followed by campus tours on Saturday am, drinks at the Beer Engine, Newton St Cyres at lunchtime and then watching the current 1st XI beat Newtown FC in the cup. The alumni dinner at the Mercure in the evening included a very well received EUAFC celebration video and an excellently supported prize draw with great prizes including a SW France gite holiday, Premiership tickets and EUAFC golf balls amongst others. Sunday morning after the night before offered the option of walking football or an alumni/current student match at Duckes Meadow. Can't be many centre back pairings with a combined age of 122 still holding their own with current students.
It was an absolute pleasure for everyone to re-engage with old friends from EUAFC, and also to meet so many like-minded alumni from different eras. A massive highlight was to have confirmed once again that the club is in such great hands with the current committee who massively impressed throughout the weekend.
With the prize draw, auction (3 x Leicester City hospitality tickets) and other fundraising activities, the alumni (both present and absent who contributed fully) impressively raised £4,500 towards the annual target of 5k to support the employment of a 1st XI coach and ensure the future positive development of the club.
Future EUAFC alumni plans include a third reunion in March 2023 and a 1st XI v alumni match for the Ted Wragg trophy and a fundraising bike ride, both in August 2022.
A particular goal in the coming years and for the next reunion is to engage the younger alumni aged 25-40. Please can all who read this do anything possible to share, communicate and contact any from these eras to enable as strong a representation as the 60s to 90s graduates.
Thanks to all EUAFC alumni for your continued support and I hope to meet many of you again or for the first time over the next few years.
If anyone wants further information, to join our WhatsApp groups and/or group email or wants to know how they can support further, please contact sportsalumni@exeter.ac.uk.
John Palmer, 1979-83
EUAFC - Alumni Network Co-ordinator