Exeter City have approached Manchester City with a request for additional financial support ahead of their FA Cup third-round tie at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The League One side, owned by a supporters' trust, has written to Pep Guardiola's team asking them to transfer a portion of their matchday gate receipts to help ease the club's ongoing financial difficulties.
Both clubs are entitled to 45 per cent of the gate receipts, estimated to be worth between £250,000 and £400,000. In a statement, the Exeter City supporters' trust said: 'In recognition of the financial realities of our supporter-ownership model, the club has written to Manchester City to ask whether they would consider voluntarily transferring a portion of their share of the matchday gate receipts to Exeter City.'
The request comes after Exeter suffered a fire at St James Park in November, causing damage estimated at £100,000. Fire crews attended the scene after smoke was spotted from a portacabin housing medical and control facilities. The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire was accidental and originated in a waste storage area, ruling out an electrical fault.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are aiming for their third FA Cup triumph under Guardiola, having won the competition in 2019 and 2023. They were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace in last season's final. Exeter manager Gary Caldwell will be seeking an upset as his side sit 14th in League One, while City are second in the Premier League.
City face Newcastle United in the League Cup semi-final before travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Premier League on 17 January. The FA Cup tie kicks off at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.
