Exeter City will begin their 125th anniversary season under the leadership of Jack Fitzwater, who has been named club captain by manager Matt Taylor ahead of the 2026/27 League Two campaign. Fitzwater succeeds Pierce Sweeney, who left the club in the close season.
Experienced presence at the back
Fitzwater, a centre‑back who signed for the club in the summer of 2023, has become an integral figure in City’s defence. Taylor highlighted the defender’s professionalism and detailed knowledge of the club as key reasons for the appointment, saying Fitzwater sets daily standards at the training ground and knows the club “inside out”. The manager also noted the team felt his absence late in the previous season.
Vice‑captain and leadership structure
Midfielder Jake Doyle‑Hayes will serve as vice‑captain. Taylor described Doyle‑Hayes as City’s “most influential player”, emphasising his control of the team from midfield and his leadership even when not wearing the armband. Both players have spoken of a shared intent to set standards for a squad that, Taylor acknowledged, contains a number of younger members.
- Jack Fitzwater: club captain, central defender, with the club since summer 2023.
- Jake Doyle‑Hayes: vice‑captain, midfield organiser described as highly influential.
- Pierce Sweeney: former long‑serving captain, departed earlier this summer.
“Jack is the standout in terms of what we want an Exeter City player to act like and how professional he is every day,” Taylor said.
Both Fitzwater and Doyle‑Hayes framed the roles as a partnership. Fitzwater called the appointment a “huge honour” and stressed the importance of leading by example both on and off the training pitch. Doyle‑Hayes said the two would form a strong leadership team to uphold standards across the dressing room throughout the anniversary season.
Local context and implications
The choices underline manager Taylor’s emphasis on experience and day‑to‑day professionalism as foundations for a squad expected to blend youth and senior figures. For supporters in Exeter, the appointments offer continuity in a period of transition following Sweeney’s departure and as the club prepares to commemorate 125 years in its community. How Fitzwater and Doyle‑Hayes translate those standards into results on the pitch will be an early marker of the team’s prospects for the season.
| Role | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Jack Fitzwater | Centre‑back |
| Vice‑captain | Jake Doyle‑Hayes | Midfielder |
Fans will now look to the new leadership pairing to provide stability on the field and to help integrate younger squad members as Exeter City chase success in League Two during a campaign marked by both club heritage and fresh expectations.
