Exeter City draw Man Utd in the FA Cup 3rd Round

This is the great, fantastic draw that they just needed...

Ian Huxham was on TalkSport Radio today talking about this amazing draw, the day before. He was right to sound utterly amazed. He spoke about the 3rd round tie, saying - jokingly - that if Man Utd played a few reserve players, you never know...

I love Ian Huxham. I remember him parading down the touchline at St James's Park, back in July, when the Brazil Masters visited, in front of about 7,000 at the Park. He went on the pitch at half-time, with a microphone, talking to the crowd, from the Doble Stand side of the pitch. He is a natural showman, total charisma, every inch the part. He spoke to the crowd, urging us to recognise the great Brazilians, show some support and create some atmosphere. Not only does he love the club - anyone can see that - but he is a local man and he is a credit to Exeter City. Even his name comes from a local village, Huxham, near Stoke Canon. He is superb. A great media operator. He deserves to go on from this and be even more successful in the Premier League.

This match has actually secured the entire future of the football club. If Man Utd get 50,000 at £20 a ticket then that's £1 million, shared 50-50, with £500,000 for Exeter City. They need to raise about £700,000 by next October so they have just about done that. It is all thanks to Dean Moxey and his great goal on Saturday in the 2nd Round when City won 2-1 against Doncaster Rovers.

This is great news for Exeter City. Strangely, I went into the Red or Dead campaign shop in Bedford Street last Wednesday and he spoke of needing that amount of money, the man in the shop, and they have just done it! I thought that if they beat Doncaster then they might get Man Utd; they have just done it! Brilliant!

Last Saturday, Southampton were 10-1 to win at Old Trafford, which must make Exeter about 50-1. They may, however, be shorter odds than Yeading, who are to play Newcastle United; Yeading are two leagues down from Exeter.