After an unbeaten start to the 2017-18 campaign, the early signs are that Exeter City could go on to emulate neighbours Plymouth Argyle in winning automatic promotion after losing out in the League Two Play-off final last season.
With 13 points from their opening five league matches, the Grecians are currently top of the League Two table and are in good health off the pitch as well as on it.
After selling Ethan Ampadu, Ollie Watkins and David Wheeler to Chelsea, Brentford and Queens Park Rangers, Paul Tisdale has re-invested some of the funds raised with the signing of a number of new faces, including one that saw the club break the long standing club record.
In bringing Jayden Stockley back to the club from Aberdeen on transfer deadline day, Tisdale broke the club's record transfer fee - with a fee believed to be in excess of the £65,000 the Grecians paid Blackpool for the legendary Tony Kellow in 1980.
Tisdale also completed loan deals for West Bromwich Albion pair Kane Wilson and Kyle Edwards and agreed to sign former Plymouth Argyle loanee Hiram Boateng on a free transfer.
Also the City have also opened up negotiations with Tisdale to extend his 11-year stay at St James Park - thus potentially extending his tenure as the Football League's longest serving manager.
