Exe Men: The Extraordinary Rise of the Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs' rise to success is explored in the book "Exe Men," which won the Telegraph Sports Book Awards Rugby Book of the Year. The book delves into the team's regional pride, fierce rural identity, larger-than-life local heroes, remarkable characters, epic resilience, big city snobbery, geographical separation, steeping ambition, and personal sacrifice. It is an inside story of their incredible journey from obscurity to becoming double champions of England and Europe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: Polaris Publishing Limited

Exeter Chiefs, a rugby team from Devon, has achieved remarkable success in recent years, becoming double champions of England and Europe. The book "Exe Men" explores the factors that contributed to their rise from obscurity to greatness. The book delves into the team's regional pride, fierce rural identity, larger-than-life local heroes, remarkable characters, epic resilience, big city snobbery, geographical separation, steeping ambition, and personal sacrifice. It is not just another rugby book but an inside story of Exeter's incredible journey from the edge of nowhere to the summit of the English and European club game.

The book begins by tracing the team's origins back to the early 1990s, when they were a struggling club in the third tier of English rugby. Despite their modest beginnings, the team's players were determined to make a name for themselves and worked tirelessly to improve their skills and performance. They were led by a charismatic coach, Rob Baxter, who instilled a sense of discipline, teamwork, and passion in the players.

One of the key factors that contributed to Exeter's success was their commitment to developing young players. The team's academy system was one of the best in the country, and many of the players who went on to play for the first team had come through the ranks. This allowed the team to maintain a high level of performance and consistency over the years.

Another factor that played a significant role in Exeter's success was their ability to adapt to different playing styles. The team was known for its aggressive and physical style of play, but they were also able to play a more tactical and controlled game when necessary. This versatility allowed them to compete against teams from all over the world and win trophies in both England and Europe.

Exeter's success was also due to their strong sense of community and support. The team's fans were passionate and loyal, and they turned out in large numbers to support the team at home and away. This support was crucial in helping the team to achieve its goals and maintain its high level of performance.

However, Exeter's success also came with its challenges. The team was based in a small town in Devon, which meant that they had limited resources and facilities compared to some of the bigger clubs in the country. This meant that the team had to work hard to attract and retain players, and they had to be creative in finding ways to improve their facilities.

Despite these challenges, Exeter's success continued to grow. The team won the English Premiership in 2010, and they followed that up with a European Champions Cup victory in 2012. They have also won several other trophies, including the European Challenge Cup and the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

One of the key players in Exeter's success has been Rob Baxter. Baxter has been the team's coach since 2001, and he has led the team to numerous trophies. He is known for his innovative coaching methods, and he has helped to develop many of the players who have gone on to play for the first team.

Baxter's coaching methods have been based on a philosophy of teamwork, discipline, and passion. He believes that the best way to win games is to work together as a team and to play with passion and intensity. He has also been known for his ability to develop young players and to help them reach their full potential.

Another key player in Exeter's success has been their captain, Jack Nowell. Nowell has been the team's captain since 2013, and he has led the team with distinction. He is known for his speed, agility, and skill, and he has scored numerous tries for the team.

Nowell's leadership has been crucial in helping the team to maintain its high level of performance. He has been able to inspire his teammates to give their best, and he has been able to lead the team through difficult times.

Exeter's success has also been due to their strong sense of community and support. The team's fans are passionate and loyal, and they have turned out in large numbers to support the team at home and away. This support has been crucial in helping the team to achieve its goals and maintain its high level of performance.

In addition to their success on the field, Exeter has also been a leader in the community. The team has been involved in numerous charity events and has worked to promote healthy living and fitness in the local area. They have also been involved in the development of young players and have provided opportunities for them to play rugby at a high level.

Despite their success, Exeter has faced some challenges in recent years. The team has struggled to retain some of its key players, and they have faced competition from other clubs in the English Premiership. However, the team has remained focused and has continued to work hard to improve its performance.

In conclusion, Exeter Chiefs is a compelling story of regional pride, fierce rural identity, larger-than-life local heroes, remarkable characters, epic resilience, big city snobbery, geographical separation, steeping ambition, and personal sacrifice. The book explores the factors that contributed to the team's rise from obscurity to greatness and provides an inside story of Exeter's incredible journey from the edge of nowhere to the summit of the English and European club game. Rob Baxter's coaching methods, Jack Nowell's leadership, and the team's strong sense of community and support have been key factors in their success. Exeter has also been a leader in the community, and they have worked to promote healthy living and fitness in the local area. Despite some challenges in recent years, the team has remained focused and has continued to work hard to improve its performance.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913538019