When Ollie Watkins spun away from Stefan de Vrij and smashed the ball home in Dortmund, England’s supporters erupted as if the whole country had been holding its breath.
That last-second Euro 2024 winner didn’t just send the Three Lions into another European Championship final — it sent shockwaves all the way to a community-run club almost 600 miles away.
At Exeter City, the celebrations were a little different.
Arran Pugh, the man who coached Watkins as a boy, leapt off his sofa in sheer disbelief.
“I was thrilled for England,” he says, “but honestly, even more for Ollie.
You could see everything he’d ever worked for in that one expression.”
For the young hopefuls in Exeter’s academy, it was a reminder that dreams aren’t reserved for the giants of the game.
From League Two to England Caps: Exeter’s Proud Blueprint
Watkins’ rise is no accident. Pugh, now in his 19th year with the club’s academy, recalls when Exeter first set their sights far higher than anyone expected.
“We talked about developing players for teams like Manchester United or Real Madrid. People laughed.” They aren’t laughing anymore.
With 20 England caps and 76 Premier League goals, Watkins is only one name on a long list of success stories.
Ethan Ampadu captained Leeds and played in the Champions League, Jay Stansfield reached the Under-21 Euros final, and several others — Dean Moxey, George Friend, Matt Grimes, Alfie Pond — all stepped into top-flight football after coming through at St James Park.
Last season alone, 98 percent of Exeter team sheets included at least one academy graduate.
For years before that, the run stood at 479 consecutive matches with a homegrown player in the XI.
A Community Club That Built Itself Back Up
Exeter’s youth system isn’t just impressive — it’s the lifeblood of the club.
Since supporters took ownership in 2003 during a financial crisis, the club’s entire model has rested on sustainability and local development.
Pugh credits that vision. “You can have the nicest buildings, but it’s about people.
Back when we had wooden huts instead of a modern training centre, we still produced players because the staff cared.”
The eventual upgrades came through player sales.
Watkins’ big move to Aston Villa earned Exeter around £4 million in sell-on income, funding a new £3.5m training complex.
Money from Matt Grimes’ move to Swansea helped build new pitches.
Year after year, the club even manages to post a profit — a rarity in League One.
A Culture of Patience in a Hurry-Up World
One of Exeter’s greatest strengths is something almost extinct in modern football: patience.
Matt Jay, who joined at eight, didn’t become a first-team regular until his twenties — and the club never pushed him out the door.
He went on to captain Exeter, score 56 goals, and fire them back into League One.
Watkins himself benefited from structured loans, including a formative spell at Weston-Super-Mare.
For many academy players, local non-League clubs provide exactly the grounding they need.
Even more unusual? Exeter haven’t sacked a manager since becoming fan-owned.
Every departure has been by choice — from Eamonn Dolan and Alex Inglethorpe to Paul Tisdale and Matt Taylor.
Current boss Gary Caldwell continues the tradition of backing young talent despite the demands of League One.
When Bigger Clubs Come Calling
It’s not always smooth sailing. Exeter’s Category 3 academy status means compensation is often lower than they’d like when top clubs swoop for their brightest prospects.
Chelsea paid only £1.3m (rising to £2.5m) for Ampadu after a tribunal — a decision Exeter still feel undersold their player’s worth.
Jay Stansfield’s move to Fulham also stung, though the sell-on clause later softened the blow when Birmingham paid £20m for him.
And just this year, standout teenager Jake Richards rejected an unprecedented offer to remain at Exeter, eventually joining Luton after a negotiated compensation fee.
Why the Work Still Matters
Despite setbacks, Pugh never loses sight of why he does the job.
He talks about the long nights, the modest pay, the moments when a young player finally breaks through.
“When you see an academy kid debut or perform on a big stage… there’s nothing like it.”
He points to a photo on the wall — seven homegrown lads celebrating together after Jake Richards scored last year. “You can’t put that feeling into words.”
Lincoln City’s Smart Set-Piece Revolution
Elsewhere in the EFL, Lincoln City continue making waves with their data-driven approach to set-pieces.
Leaning into AI and meticulous preparation, they struck an incredible 30 set-piece goals last season — more than any other club in the league system.
Their success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Rangers swooped this week to hire Scott Fry, the man who oversaw Lincoln’s set-piece transformation after originally joining as a goalkeeper coach.
Director of football Jez George praised Fry’s impact, saying their AI-led journey together “delivered outstanding results and naturally drew attention.”
A First for Fans: Panini and the EFL Team Up
And for collectors, a milestone moment arrived this week: the first-ever Panini x EFL sticker collection.
Featuring legends and modern players from all 72 clubs, the series launched at a special event in Manchester with appearances from Will Grigg, Billy Sharp and Todd Cantwell.
Packs are now on sale nationwide — in supermarkets, small shops near stadiums, and anywhere fans usually hunt for their nostalgic fix.
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