A GROUP of football fans from Okehampton travelled in style when they took the long road to Wembley on Sunday to support Exeter City in its bid to regain a place in the Football League. The magnificent seven stretched so far as to hire a limo for the occasion to take them to the nation's football capital for one of the most important games in the club's history —Exeter City v Morecambe, the final of the Conference play-off. But although they enjoyed a smooth ride up and down, courtesy of their driver Rod Rogers of RDS Limos — who also runs Pushin Ink Tattoo Parlour in Okehampton — unfortunately the day ended in disappointment when the Grecians slipped 2-1 in front of more than 40,000 fans. The seven, Gary, Jessica, Chris, Jake and Cath Dodden along with Clive Cutter and the Times' Michelle Tolley, joined 25,000 Exeter fans hoping the Red and Whites would earn their stripes to secure promotion but it was not to be. Gary, 42, who has been an Exeter City fan since he was 14, and is a trust member at the club, works as the bar manager of the King's Arms in Okehampton. He was at the great night at the Kassam Stadium when more than 1,100 City supporters saw their team beat Oxford United on penalties to progress to the final play-off. In fact Gary was so excited he 'starred' in a television appearance on Sky TV when he was filmed giving the Exeter goalkeeper, Martin Rice, a fireman's lift at end of match. Maybe next season Gary and his team will have something to celebrate — at least they can look forward to seeing Torquay next season! l Article written by John Hutchins, a self-confessed Plymouth Argyle fan . . .
