Breaking News Uri Geller to help Exeter

Express & Echo - 27 May 2002

ODDS ON CITY DRIVEN DOWN
The psychic powers of Uri Geller have helped persuade the bookies to slash their odds on Exeter City winning Division 3 next season.

The club's new joint-chairman insisted he would not indulge in "paranormal activities" to influence results when the new season gets underway in August.

But bookmakers Coral have refused to take him at his word - and have responded by installing City as 25/1 shots for the championship.

And they're a 3/1 chance to go up - either automatically or via the play-offs - next term.

The Grecians started last term as 80/1 outsiders for the Division 3 title following two consecutive brushes with relegation.

But Coral bosses have taken note of the club's steady progress under the stewardship of boss John Cornforth.

Cornforth has already made his first summer signing - former Scunthorpe winger Gareth Sheldon - while Oxford United midfielder Martin Thomas was due to put pen to paper today.

And the bookies' odds compilers believe the extra financial security - and paranormal possibilities - offered by the new regime at St James's Park could transform City into a force to be reckoned with next season.

Coral spokeswoman Hilary Spooner explained the collapse of Nationwide League paymasters ITV Digital had also affected the company's pricing policy.

"At this stage we don't really know which clubs will be around when the season starts and that's reflected in the odds," she said. "The price difference for Exeter from last year is partly down to uncertainty following the ITV Digital situation.

"But we also think a few people will think that perhaps Uri Geller can get them up into Division 2. "It could well be that Uri does have some influence on the results next season."

Coral have installed Hull as 6/1 pre-season favourites for the title despite the Humberside club's failure to qualify for last season's play-offs.

Losing play-off finalists Rushden & Diamonds, Hartlepool and newly-relegated Wrexham are also among the sides expected to be gunning for an automatic promotion place.

And the bookies see next term's relegation fight as a two-way tussle between Torquay and Lincoln.

Coral will wait until after the World Cup and the publication of the new fixture list before issuing a full range of odds for the coming campaign.

Express & Echo - 25 May 2002

ENGLAND ACE IN CITY VISIT
England star Wayne Bridge could mark his return from the World Cup in Japan and South Korea this summer by running out in front of Exeter City fans.

And Grecians officials today announced they were pegging ticket prices to just a fiver for the pre-season visit of Bridge's club side, Premiership survival experts Southampton on August 7.

Saints frontman Agustin Delgado is also expected to appear at St James's Park fresh from his World Cup exploits with Ecuador.

The South coast club - managed by former Scotland, Manchester United and Leeds star Gordon Strachan - can also call on the services of Swedish international Anders Svensson and prolific Latvian hitman Marian Pahars.

New owners John Russell and Mike Lewis have decided to charge just £5 for admission to each of City's pre-season friendlies - including the visits of Premiership newcomers Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.

Lewis fixed up the meeting with Southampton yesterday morning during a chance telephone conversation with Saints secretary Brian Truscott.