Jack Sparkes signs new contract at Exeter City

Jack Sparkes is delighted to have signed a new contract at Exeter City with the help of the 1931 Fund.

Jack says the contract, which is part financed by the fund, shows the amount of belief Exeter City and the supporters have in him and gives him confidence when he plays.

“I am really pleased,” said Jack. “It shows that the club believe in me and that they are willing to wait for me to develop as a player.

“It is really pleasing to get the backing of the fans as well. The fans are what make this club and they have been really good to me and it makes me confident that when I go on the pitch I can perform well.

Jack, who has only just turned 18, has made four appearances for the Grecians this campaign including at home to Ipswich Town and away at Fulham in the Carabao Cup.

“I am pleased with my progress,” he added. “We have got the under-23s Premier League Cup campaign coming up as well so, for me, it is about getting game time and improving as a player. The more game time I get, the more I will improve.”

The 1931 Fund is a group of around 60 Exeter City supporters who all donate £19 a month to help pay towards the contract for an extra member of the first team squad.

The fund is named after Exeter City’s famous FA Cup run from that year and has helped fund the wages of players like James Norwood, Graham Cummins, Pierce Sweeney and Jack Sparkes and donated £125k in total.

Representing the fund, one of the founding members Peter Tomlinson, said: “The fund was set up in 2009, mainly by Alan Crockford who is a well-known exile, and it is way of helping the manager to promote his younger players to become a professional player.

“We gave £12,000 to the manager last season and this season it will be £15,000 and that goes a long way towards helping to pay for one the new pros.

“A lot of the people who joined the fund back in 2009 and 2010 and 2011, are exiles. So instead of buying a season ticket, because they couldn’t see all the games, they join the 1931 Fund and it becomes their contribution towards the football club.”

Speaking about Jack, Peter added: “He is a cracking youngster with great potential so we are happy to help Matt Taylor in bringing him along.”

Anybody interested in joining the 1931 Fund can do so by emailing 1931fund@gmail.com.