Highlights from the Exeter City Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Devon, Exeter City runs a category 3 academy.
Exeter City Scholars 2024/25
These 7 prospects will join the Exeter City Academy for the 2024/25 season.
- Jude Horn (Defender)
- Harry Crees (Defender)
- Jack Anthony (Defender)
- Liam Cartwright (Defender)
- Luke Hodgetts (Midfield)
- Aidan Bown (Midfielder)
- Callum Graham (Forward)
The scholars will spend two seasons with the U18s, competing in the Youth Alliance League (South), Youth Alliance Cup, and FA Youth Cup.
Exeter City Academy Players On Loan 2024/25
- Cheick Diabaté (Defender) Bradford City
- Charlie Cummins (Midfielder) Poole Town
- Mitch Beardmore (Midfielder) Plymouth Parkway FC; Bath City
- Jacca Cavendish (Defender) Tavistock AFC
- Liam Oakes (Defender) Plymouth Parkway FC
- Kye Cooper (Defender) Shaftsbury FC
- Theo Cuttler (Forward) Exmouth Town FC
- Pedro Burgess (Midfielder) Yeovil Town; Weston-super-Mare AFC
- Ed James (Defender) Yeovil Town; Bath City
- Tom Dean (Midfielder) Plymouth Parkway FC
- Gabe Billington (Midfielder) Tiverton
Exeter City Academy Products in 1st Team 2024/25
- Sonny Cox (Forward) #19
- Harry Lee (Goalkeeper #22
- Ed James (Defender) #40
- Pedro Borges (Midfielder) #41
- Theo Cutler (Forward) #44
- Charlie Cummins (Midfielder) #45
- Liam Oakes (Defender) #46
- Jake Richards (Midfielder) #47
- Louie Cayless (Defender) #48
- Kieran Wilson (Forward) #49
Academy International Players 2024/25
- Ed James (Defender) Wales U21
Exeter City Academy Competitions For 2024/25
U18 Youth Alliance Cup
The EFL Youth Alliance Cup is a youth football tournament in England, organized by the English Football League (EFL). It features under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs that compete in the EFL Youth Alliance, the league system for these academies.
The competition follows a format like the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.
Designed to foster young talent at lower-tier EFL clubs, the tournament provides a structured competitive environment beyond regular league matches.
In the group stage, Exeter City U18 are drawn in Group F against under-18 teams from Bristol Rovers, Newport County, Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth.
U18 Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage
- Lost at home against Plymouth Argyle U18 (3 – 1)
- Won away against Portsmouth U18 (5 – 3)
- Lost away against Newport County U18 (5 – 1)
U21 Premier League Cup
The Premier League Cup was introduced in the 2013/14 season to enhance competition during the Professional Development Phase.
It added a knockout tournament alongside the regular league schedule. For the 2024/25 season, the format features nine groups.
The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the knockout stage, along with the seven best second-placed teams.
Exeter City U21 are drawn in Group A against under-21 teams from Bristol City, Bromley, and Norwich City.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
- Won at home against Norwich City U21 (2 – 1)
- Jonathan Tomkinson (OG)
- Finley Welch
- Theo Cutler
- Won away against Bromley U21 (4 – 1)
- Charlie Cummins
- Tom Dean
- Theo Cutler
- Pedro Borges
- Won away against Bristol City U21 (2 – 0)
- Sonny Cox
- Tom Dean
- Won away against Norwich City U21 (1 – 0)
- Tom Dean
- Won at home against Bromley U21 (3 – 1)
- Jake Richards (2)
- Sonny Cox
- Drew at home against Bristol City U21 (2 – )
- Jay Bird
- Liam Andrew Oakes
U21 Premier League Cup Round of 16
- Lost at home against Brentford U21 (1 – 0)
Exeter City Academy News
19th October 2024
In the 1st round of the FA Youth Cup, Exeter City have been drawn at home to Bridgewater United.
24th October 2024
After beating Bridgewater United at home in the first round 2 – 0, Exeter have secured a place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup
1st November 2024
Exeter City U18s have been drawn at home against AFC Dunstable in the 2nd round of the FA Youth Cup.
15th November 2024
In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Exeter City have been drawn away to either Stevenage or Cheltenham Town if they win their match against AFC Dunstable.
19th November 2024
Exeter City secured a dominant 4 – 0 victory over AFC Dunstable to advance to the third round of the FA Youth Cup where they will face Stevenage.
13th December 2024
If Exeter City defeat Stevenage, they will host Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
21st December 2024
Exeter City has advanced to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after winning their away match against Stevenage 1-0.
26th December 2024
Academy graduate Jake Richards scores his first league goal for the club against Bristol Rovers.
6th January 2025
Cheick Diabaté has returned from his loan spell at Bradford, where he featured in 16 matches across League Two, the FA Cup, and the EFL Trophy.
10th January 2025
FA Youth Cup Fifth Round Draw
15th January 2025
Pedro Borges has been recalled from his loan at Yeovil Town, where he made 9 appearances.
16th January 2025
Exeter City U18s have been eliminated from the FA Youth Cup after a 4 -1 home defeat to Fulham.
3rd of March 2025
Exeter City U21s are set to face Brentford B in the next round of the Premier League Cup, with the match taking place at St James Park on March 13th.
17th March 2025
This week, the EFL celebrates Youth Development across all 72 League clubs. Exeter City has a strong track record of developing academy players.
26th March 2025
Exeter City has announced that Liam Oakes has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Liam made his first-team debut for the Grecians at the start of the season against Walsall and has since featured in four appearances for Gary Caldwell’s side.
16th April 2025
Jake Richards has been shortlisted by the LFE for the EFL League One Apprentice of the Season awards for 2025.
This award honours exceptional young professionals at EFL clubs who have distinguished themselves both on and off the pitch throughout the 2024/25 season.
Released Players
- Max Edgecombe (Joins Plymouth Parkway)
- Gabe Billington
- Mitch Beardmore