News & Events

ECFC latest news, events and match reports

Pinhoe Community Hub
Matt Gofton appointed trustee for Pinhoe Community Hub

We are also pleased to share that Matt Gofton has been appointed as a trustee for the Pinhoe Community Hub. Matt will be helping to lead the project, bringing energy, expertise, and a commitment to ensuring that the new centre delivers real and lasting value.

The Pinhoe Community Hub is not just about replacing a building – it is about investing in people, creating opportunities, and strengthening the ties that make our community stronger together.

Get Involved – Help Us Build the Pinhoe Community Hub

The Pinhoe Community Hub will only be possible with the backing of the people it is designed to serve. This is a community project, built for the community and driven by the community.

You can make a difference by:

Donating – every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to building a space that everyone can use and be proud of
Volunteering – lend your time, skills, or expertise to help move the project forward
Spreading the word – share our vision with friends, family, and local networks to build support and momentum
Partnering with us – if you are a local business or organisation, we would love to explore how you can support or collaborate with us

Together, we can turn Station Road Park into the heart of our community again – a safe, inclusive, and vibrant hub that will serve people of all ages and backgrounds for years to come.

Join us, support us, and help us bring the Pinhoe Community Hub to life.

ECFC Goes on Tour
May 2025 - Newcastle Edition

It’s fair to say our first ever ECFC tour was everything we hoped for – and more.

Laughter, chaos, great football, and a coach journey we’ll never forget (more on that later)... it was the kind of weekend that reminds you exactly why we do this.

A huge shout-out to the incredible lads who made the trip and gave it their all – on the pitch and in the pub. The team spirit, the graft, the banter — unbeatable.

We were proud to play a cracking match against the brilliant Team North Charity Football Team. Massive thanks to Gareth Horsley for organising the fixture and answering thousands of questions in the lead-up. The game was a tough one — competitive, physical, but played in the absolute right spirit.

Let’s be honest though, we were nursing a few sore heads from the night before, so it took some serious digging deep.

Team North took the lead with a well-taken header from a corner. But debutant George (playing right back) made an instant impact, equalising with his very first touch. Not a bad way to start your ECFC journey! Simon Dowdall did some clever work in the box before the ball bobbled kindly to Ash, who slotted home his first-ever ECFC goal from six yards. We’re proud of him — those are the ones he normally misses! Ash went on to boss the midfield and was solid throughout.

Jamie was his usual calm and commanding self between the sticks. Souch and Simon held it down at centre back with class, and Ads put in an absolute shift at left back. Tom started well at right back before a muscle strain forced him off early, but George slotted in seamlessly and had a great game against a very tricky winger.

Our midfield three — Rob, Ash, and Darren were immense. Darren was calm, composed, and broke up the play perfectly. Ash pinged passes around the park like he had Velcro on his boots, and Rob… well, Rob ran himself into the ground (allegedly if he’d had 5 pints instead of 4, he might’ve scored!).

Up front, Adam Stanbury was a rock, holding the ball up, laying it off, and causing all sorts of problems. Jack Littleworth was a nightmare for their defence, and Patrick England on the right wing bullied his way past defenders time and again. On another day, he could’ve had a hat-trick.

We had some flair from our very own Adrian Webster, who was electric on the ball despite being allegedly 87 years old. Adam Smith came on in the second half and linked up brilliantly, keeping the pressure on. Matt did my usual cameo – 15 minutes each half – mainly sweating and trying to remember which way we were shooting.

Sadly, Levi and Mark Wheeler were both ruled out due to injury – Levi with a rib issue and Mark picking up a knock in the warm-up. Gutted they couldn’t feature but both were top blokes the whole weekend.

More Than Just a Match

As always, the trip wasn’t just about football. It was about raising money for charity, making memories, and doing it all with a team of legends. We’re proud to say we raised a fantastic amount for charity. proving once again that this club is about heart just as much as it is about football.

The rest of the weekend? Let’s just say it was lively. Carnage, karaoke, questionable dancing, and enough laughs to last us until the next tour.

Until Next Time

We’ll be back — bigger, louder, and (hopefully) a little better rested. Newcastle, thank you. Team North, thank you. Everyone who played, donated, supported — thank you. What a weekend. Bring on the next tour.

MATCH REPORT
Kentisbeare FC 4 - 0 ECFC Charity XI

Huge thanks to Rob Buxton for making this fixture happen!

After a week of bad weather forecasts, the skies cleared just in time and credit to the Kentisbeare grounds team for a superbly kept pitch.

We brought a strong squad of 16, while Kentisbeare had 22 players ready to roll no small task for their manager! This match was also the final appearance of our very own Paul Evans, who is hanging up his boots after last season’s success. Thanks for everything, Paul.

We started with a back four of Ben Clark, Paul Evans, Souchy, and Joe Cameron, with a midfield of Ashley Webber, David, Gary Yelland, and wide players Rob Buxton and Kieran. Mark C led the line solo.

Kentisbeare’s youthful energy showed early on as they pressed hard and forced an early mistake to go 1-0 up. We were under pressure but kept it respectable thanks to some superb saves from Greg, making his return from injury.

In the second half, we rotated the squad. Steve, Darren, Simon, and Pat all made strong contributions – Pat came closest to scoring after a great run, only to see his shot cleared off the line.

Kentisbeare doubled their lead with a tidy finish, before being gifted a questionable penalty to make it 3-0. They added a fourth late on with a solid header.

Man of the Match: Souchy

A rock at the back, leading by example – even taking a quick break pitchside to be sick before carrying on. Sunday football at its finest!

Final Score: Kentisbeare FC 4 - 0 ECFC Charity XI

A tough result, but a great day. We raised over £750 for charity, got minutes under the belt, and shared a laugh or two along the way. On to the next one!

MATCH REPORT

ECFC Charity XI vs Sharpy FC (Score needed)

Our second outing of the season saw the new joint management team make their dugout debut, facing a tough Sharpy FC side in a midfield-heavy battle.

A rousing team talk full of tactical brilliance (and PowerPoint-level clarity) had everyone clear on roles as ECFC lined up in a familiar 4-4-2. Mark returned in goal, with Ben, Souchy, Joe, and Simon across the back. Jack and Darren provided width, while Rob and Gary anchored the midfield. Up front: the bullish Pat and tricky Dario.

The opening 10 minutes were cagey, but we struck first: Mark launched a clearance, Pat ran through, and calmly slotted it into the bottom corner. A well-taken goal – and one the previous management never quite coaxed from him!

Dario tormented the Sharpy defence with quick feet and strong runs, drawing fouls and creating chances. We switched to a 5-3-2 to absorb pressure, but a defensive scramble led to a Sharpy penalty. Mark, in heroic form, saved it and forced the rebound over – a game-changing moment.

Despite being outnumbered in midfield, Gary (aka "Battle Dog") and Rob fought tirelessly, breaking up play and keeping Sharpy’s dangerman quiet. Our fullbacks were solid, with Simon and Jack putting in serious shifts. Just before the break, Sharpy nearly equalised, but Mark rushed out again, this time taking a boot to a delicate area. His comment? “If I had a bigger one, it might’ve hurt more.” Classic.

At half-time, Gary delivered an impassioned team talk while the rest of us focused on breathing.

Second half, uphill and into the wind, we regained composure. Fresh legs from Chris made a huge difference – subbed in last minute (shoutout to him for leaving Dad duty to step in!). Joe returned briefly from injury, before coming off again. Sharpy kept pushing, but Dario finally got the reward he deserved, finishing coolly after several near misses. Adam came on, held the ball up well, and took some heavy hits to keep the pressure off.

With rolling subs and energy levels dropping, the final 15 minutes were scrappy, but we held firm.

MATCH REPORT
ECFC 4 - 3 Simon’s Team

Another absolute thriller in the mud!

First Half Highlights
A cagey start as both teams felt out the conditions, but ECFC were first to click, especially down the left with Ash, Dario, and Chris linking up nicely. Pat was battling hard up top, Rob and Gary were scrapping in midfield like warriors, but it was Simon’s team who struck first — a tidy finish against the run of play. 0-1.

That lit a fire. A long ball found Jack “The Jack Russell” out wide. Tight angle, one defender, one chance — BOOM. Rocket into the net. 1-1! Game on.

Some nervy moments at the back, but Chris, Joe, Souchy, and Jamie dug deep. Then came a golden chance... Harry threads a beautiful ball through to a mystery defender who misses from two yards. Ouch! But redemption came quickly. Ash slots Harry through — left foot, bottom right. 2-1 ECFC. Pat nearly made it 3 with an outrageous outside-of-the-boot strike. Just over. Half-time whistle blows. ECFC on top.

Second Half Surge
Confident start to the second half. Mark and Dario combining well to release Jack. Pat drops into the back line alongside debutant Martyn, who slotted in seamlessly. Steve stepped up at right back — crunching tackles, fearless play, pure heart.

Fresh legs in midfield (welcome Ads!) gave ECFC another gear. Then, Jamie with the long ball, Ash flicks it through, Jack turns on the afterburners and rifles it into the roof. 3-1! Opposition hit back with another top finish. 3-2. Game tightens. But ECFC pushed again. Dario’s corners caused chaos. Joe rose like Ronaldo and thundered a header (with his face) into the bottom corner. 4-2!

Just when it looked done, a long shot and a muddy rebound gifted them one back. 4-3. Nerves jangling. But ECFC dug deep, held firm, and saw it out. Huge team effort.

Player Highlights
Jamie (GK): Big saves, unlucky with the third. Safe hands all day.

Back Four:

Chris: Bombed forward, solid all game.
Joe: Crunched everything, scored with his head/face!
Souchy: Left it all on the pitch – literally.
Jamie & Steve: Both RBs were relentless. Steve a MOTM shout!
Martyn: Composed debut, read the game beautifully.

Midfield:

Gary: Pitbull energy. Gattuso comparisons flying.
Rob: Ice-cold calm and solid in the tackle.
Ash: Engine room maestro. Everywhere.
Ads, Mark, Harry: All slotted in perfectly — creativity, composure, and a goal for Harry!
Dario: Balboa-level passion. Corners caused carnage.
Pat: Battled up front, then shored things up at the back. Leadership all over.
Adam: Impact sub, stretched the defence.
Team: Total grit, real moments of class, and the heart of a lion.

Man of the Match: Jack

Two goals. Defender’s nightmare.

Final Score: ECFC 4 - 3 Simon’s Team
Mud, mayhem, magic — we go again next week.

MATCH REPORT
ECFC 4 - 3 Shaldon Villa

Hosted at Tiverton Town FC

Goals, drama, passion — everything you’d expect when this group of legends laces up their boots.

But beyond the football, the real win was what we achieved off the pitch. This match was about more than just bragging rights. It was about coming together as a community to raise funds for causes that are incredibly close to our hearts.

The chosen charity for the day was North Devon Hospice, in memory of the amazing care they provided for Joe Cameron’s mum during her final days. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and showed their support — your kindness means the world to Joe and his family.

We also made a £100 donation to Prostate Cancer Research, a cause that’s very personal to the team, with a family member battling this illness multiple times over the years, so this one hit home. Thank you for helping us contribute to research that’s making a real difference.

A huge shout-out to Joe Cameron and Patrick England for organising the whole event — from the logistics to the team sheets to the last-minute kit checks. The work you put in behind the scenes doesn’t go unnoticed. Rumour has it Pat even swept the changing rooms out afterwards. Proper club man stuff!

Smiles, sliding tackles, and some questionable goal celebrations.

Thank you again to everyone who took part, came to watch, donated, and made it all possible. Football, friends, and a fantastic cause. What more can you ask for?

Until the next one!

Final score: ECFC 4 - 3 Simon FC