The short answer
Exeter City (League Two) runs a Category 3 academy with squads from Under-9. It can register Under-9 to Under-11 players who live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1½ hours. From Under-17 there is no limit. The academy is based at Cliff Hill Training Ground, Sidmouth Road, Exeter.
| League 2026/27 | League Two |
| Academy | Category 3 |
| Academy age groups | Under-9 to Under-21 |
| Academy base | Cliff Hill Training Ground, Sidmouth Road, Exeter |
How far Exeter City can recruit from
Under Rule 262 of the Youth Development Rules, a Category 3 academy can only register players who live within these travel times of its main training venue:
| Age group | Travel limit |
|---|---|
| Under-9 to Under-11 | 1 hour |
| Under-12 to Under-16 | 1½ hours |
| Under-17 to Under-21 | No limit |
Trials have their own limits: 1 hour at Under-9 to Under-11, 1½ hours at Under-12 and Under-13, and no limit from Under-14 to Under-16 (Rule 270).
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Compensation if a player leaves Exeter City
When a player aged Under-9 to Under-16 leaves the Exeter City academy for another club and compensation is due (for example, because Exeter City wanted to keep the player), the new club pays a fixed training cost for each year the player was registered here, at the Category 3 rate (Rule 363).
For example, a player registered at Exeter City from Under-9 to Under-14 would cost the new club £82,500 in training costs, before any appearance payments. Read how it works in our EPPP compensation guide.
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Nearest other academies
Approximate straight-line distance between academy bases. Journey times by road will be longer.
| Club | Category | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Argyle | Category 3 | 39 miles |
| Cardiff City | Category 2 | 57 miles |
| Bristol City | Category 2 | 60 miles |
| Newport County | Category 3 | 63 miles |
| Bournemouth | Category 1 | 64 miles |
| Bristol Rovers | Category 3 | 66 miles |
Frequently asked questions
What category is the Exeter City academy?
Exeter City runs a Category 3 academy in 2026/27, with academy squads at Under-9 to Under-21.
How far can Exeter City recruit academy players from?
Under-9 to Under-11 players must live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1 and a half hours. From Under-17 there is no limit.
Where does the Exeter City academy train?
The Exeter City academy is based at Cliff Hill Training Ground, Sidmouth Road, Exeter.
Source: Training Ground Guru club profile: Exeter City (Academy Category: Three) (undated profile (cites 2025/26 Academy Productivity Rankings); accessed 2026-10-29); State-of-the-art facilities proposed for Exeter City's East Devon training ground (Exmouth Journal) (2020). Last checked 29 October 2026. Academy categories can change after an audit. If something here is out of date, email info@scout52.com.