Former Exeter favourite targeted by away supporters before scoring decisive goal
Alex Hartridge, the defender who left Exeter City in the summer to join Plymouth Argyle, has said the abuse he suffered from some Exeter fans at Home Park “went too far” — and then produced the match-winning moment in the Devon derby.
The incident came during the Carabao Cup first round tie when Hartridge, an academy graduate who helped Exeter win promotion from League Two in 2022 and made more than 150 appearances for the club, was reportedly subjected to verbal abuse and had a lighter thrown in his direction in the first half.
Exeter manager Matt Taylor, who managed Hartridge through much of his career at St James Park, described the reaction as “disappointing”, stressing the defender's long service and character.
“He's someone who has fought his way to having a career in the game… he's as honest as any player I've ever worked with, so it's a shame to see that moment in the first half,” Taylor told BBC Sport.
Despite that hostile reception, Hartridge delivered late in the contest for the Pilgrims, heading the winner to settle the derby. Argyle manager Tom Cleverley praised Hartridge’s resilience and composure following the abuse.
“There's one story to come out of this game and it's the guy who used to play for Exeter who suffered some pretty poor abuse in the first half and then goes and scores the winner,” Cleverley said.
Local context and reaction
The episode highlights the fine line players who move between the two Devon clubs can walk. Hartridge’s pathway from Exeter academy prospect to established first-team player made his transfer and subsequent treatment particularly sensitive for supporters on both sides of the derby.
Both managers’ comments underline the awkwardness of the situation: Taylor defended a player he had helped develop, while Cleverley celebrated the contribution the defender has already made to Argyle since his arrival.
- Club history: Hartridge came through the Exeter City academy and was part of the squad that secured promotion from League Two in 2022.
- Appearances: He made more than 150 appearances for Exeter before his summer move to Plymouth.
- Match outcome: Hartridge scored the decisive goal in the Carabao Cup Devon derby, despite suffering abuse earlier in the game.
What this means for Plymouth supporters
For Argyle fans, the moment will be remembered as the hallmark of a new signing standing up in a high-pressure local tie. For the player himself, it will be an emotionally charged debut chapter in an often heated rivalry that spans communities across Devon.
Both managers’ reactions may prompt conversations about supporter conduct around players who have left countieside clubs, especially when those players have strong ties to their former teams. The balance between passionate rivalry and unacceptable behaviour is a live issue in the city’s football discourse.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Previous club | Exeter City (academy graduate) |
| Promotion | Part of Exeter's promotion from League Two in 2022 |
| Appearances | More than 150 for Exeter |
| Incident | Abuse from some Exeter fans; lighter reportedly thrown |
| Match | Scored winning goal for Plymouth in Carabao Cup Devon derby |
Plymouth Argyle’s campaign will take heart from a player who has shown he can remain composed under pressure and convert a difficult personal episode into a decisive contribution on the pitch. For Plymouth residents who follow the Pilgrims, the moment will be discussed not just for its sporting significance but for what it says about rivalries and respect in local football.
As the season progresses, supporters, club officials and local authorities may watch how both sets of fans react to such situations and whether further measures are needed to protect players who return to face their former clubs.
