Exeter City have asked Manchester City to share some of their earnings from this weekend's FA Cup tie to help ease their financial struggles. The Cityzens are set to face the Grecians in the third round of the domestic competition on Saturday afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.
While both clubs are due to receive 45 per cent of the gate receipts for the fixture, estimated to be worth between £250,000 and £400,000, Exeter are understood to have requested additional support from their opponents on the day.
According to City AM, the supporters' trust which owns the League One side 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."
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The request follows further financial difficulties for Exeter in November, when a blaze at St James Park is believed to have caused damage totalling £100,000. Fire crews were summoned to the stadium after smoke was spotted billowing from a portacabin at the Well Street end of the ground.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue confirmed afterwards that the fire originated in an electrical unit before spreading to a temporary structure housing the club's medical and control facilities. A club statement at the time read: "Following investigations by the fire service, it has been confirmed that the fire at St James Park last night was accidental.
"While the exact cause remains unknown, the incident originated in an area used for waste storage. The fire service has ruled out an electrical fault as a cause.
"We are extremely grateful for the many messages of support and offers of assistance from local businesses and the wider community. Cleanup work is already underway, and we would like to thank everyone involved for their swift response and support."
It comes as Pep Guardiola will be hoping to secure his third FA Cup with City by the end of the season, having previously led the Sky Blues to glory in 2018/19 and 2022/23, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Spanish manager had the opportunity to claim the trophy last season, only to suffer a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May's final at Wembley - with Eberechi Eze netting the winner. Gary Caldwell, however, will be looking to derail Guardiola's ambitions on Saturday afternoon, despite his side being considered heavy underdogs going into the match.
Currently, Exeter find themselves 14th in the League One table, having recorded nine victories, three draws and 12 defeats so far this campaign. City, on the other hand, are currently second in the Premier League, trailing Mikel Arteta's Arsenal by just five points.
However, their hopes of intensifying the pressure on the Gunners in the title race will be temporarily shelved for the next two fixtures, with City heading to Tyneside to take on Newcastle United on Tuesday in the League Cup semi-finals.
The club is then set to make the brief journey to Old Trafford on Saturday, 17 January, where they'll face their fierce rivals Manchester United as Premier League action kicks back into gear. The match could be a crucial point in determining the success of either team this season.
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