Dale Russell Appointed Women’s Reserve Team Manager

Exeter City Women’s Reserve Team are beginning preparation for the new FA Women’s National League Reserve Season and will have a new manager in place. Dale Russell joins the Grecians after a spell at Ilfracombe Town Ladies and will lead the team into the 2023/24 season alongside coaching the Exeter City Community Trust’s newly launched Junior Premier League Under 16’s team.

The Reserve team enjoyed a successful first year at National League Level, finishing fifth in the division and winning the Devon County Premier Cup. Sixteen year old forward Matilda Franchi picked up the Player of the Year Award for the division at the end of season National League Awards. The aim will now be to build on that foundation and further develop players ready for first team football.

City see a strong core of last season’s squad return, whilst summer recruitment has seen some exciting talent arrive, with new signings expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

However, the squad will certainly miss those that have departed over the Summer months. Captain Yvie Miller, Ella-Mae Miller, Lucy Roberts, Robyn Wickens, Daisy Aylott-Loader, Lexie Watts, Lucy Palmer and Poppy Cloke are all either moving away or departing to new clubs. We wish them all well and thank them for their contributions at Exeter City.

The team begin pre season at St Austell this coming Sunday, before facing newly reformed Yeovil Town at the Exwick Sports Hub on August 6th. The team will then head to Marine Academy Plymouth and Culdrose before the new season kicks off in September.