Sweeney an exception as he gears up for a Testimonial year at Exeter

SUCH is the state of modern football that testimonials almost seem like a thing of yesteryear, something consigned to the annuls of history along with things like a picked up back-pass to the goalkeeper, drinking a pint in the stands, or large sweeping terraces packed with supporters.

- By STUART JAMES

But as he enters his tenth season at Exeter City, club captain Pierce Sweeney is being honoured for his sterling service to the club with a testimonial year as he enters a tenth season at St James Park.

On signing from Reading in the summer of 2016, Sweeney became the club's '1931 Fund player, a young prospect on the fringes of the first team, whose wages are supplemented by a group of supporters that pay into the Fund. It is one of the many things that makes Exeter City so unique and so special, although no other 1931 player has been as successful with their career as the Irishman has with his.

It seems somewhat apt, therefore, that a player whose wages were initially paid for by the fans will now be recognised by them almost ten years later with a host of events throughout the season, starting with the pre-season friendly with Swansea City on Saturday, July 26, kicking off at 1pm.