Fitzwater's pride at becoming Exeter City captain

Jack Fitzwater made 34 appearances for Exeter City last season [Shutterstock] Jack Fitzwater says it was a "really proud moment" to be named Exeter City captain. The defender, 28, is about to start his fourth season at the Grecians and takes over from long-serving Pierce Sweeney, who left the club earlier this summer. He will lead a much-changed team, with a lot of players having left the club following relegation to League Two amid financial constraints. "Being captain of a football club is massive, it's a massive part of my life now and I'm really going to look forward to leading the group," he told BBC Radio Devon. "There's been a big turnaround off the pitch, it's a big reset really. "I think the club needs it and all the players and staff are fully committed and it's going to be an exciting one for sure." No Exeter signings unless players sold - Taylor Exeter City and Trust 'reset' relationship After relegation, Exeter have looked to "reset" the relationship between the club and owners Exeter City Supporters' Trust. The Grecians were relegated to League Two in May after four years in the third tier, following a difficult 12 months financially. The club were forced to go to the Supporters' Trust for loans of about £600,000 following an overspend in the 2024-25 season. "It was a hard summer to reflect on," admitted Fitzwater. "I know it's in the past now, all we've got to do is look forward. "It's a reset of the club, a lot of talking has been done off the pitch and it's one we need to put right this year. "We know it's going to be tough this year, it's going to be different, there's going to be a lot of expectation on a lot of players and there's a number of young players going to be in and around our group this year, who we're going to have to help nurture. "Being a senior player and being the captain, I'm going to be pulling on players like Jake Doyle-Hayes, who's now the vice-captain, and other senior figures in the dressing room to help nurture the young players coming through." Devon derby opener Exeter City will open their season with a Carabao Cup trip to Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle [Shutterstock] The Grecians begin their season with a Devon derby away at rivals Plymouth Argyle in the Carabao Cup on Monday, 10 August. Exeter did not lose to Argyle last season, beating them 2-0 at home in October before a 2-2 draw at Home Park in April. "It's an amazing fixture to look forward to," said Fitzwater. "It's one to really get your teeth into and I know how much it means to the fans, and if the boys don't I'll be sure to make sure they do. "We've got to go there ready, we know what it's going to be like, it's going to be ferocious, it's going to be 100 miles an hour and it's one we're really, really looking forward to. "I don't think there's any better way of kick-starting our season with an away derby, so we're looking forward to that and we'll be ready." Listen to Exeter City content on BBC Sounds