EXETER City appear to be bucking the trend. Despite a gloomy economic backdrop the club, for possibly one of the few times in their long history, are moving positively ahead both on and off the field.

If you look through my book The Grecian Story, right back to the club's formation in 1904, it wasn't long before they hit the financial buffers and, as a result, were almost sunk.

There have been countless near closures and appeals for cash to keep Exeter City in existence.

And of course more recently the remarkable story of how the Supporters' Trust came to the rescue and today oversee what is a thriving and go ahead concern.

Turning professional in 1908 and joining the Southern League, it didn't take long before the first sound of alarm bells were heard ringing due to the poor financial position of the club. In fact it took just three seasons.

It was a completely different situation that the club found themselves in, and in a relatively short space of time too.

Formed only in 1904 and playing football in the East Devon League and then the Plymouth and District League, the Southern League and turning professional was a whole new concept for them.

This was true in terms of the standard of the teams they faced and the increasing cost of competing at the higher level.

Rumours were rife at the end of the 1910-11 season that Exeter did not have the money to pay players' wages through the summer months, when there was little or no income at all.

The Express and Echo reported at the time that this was not true, and that the finances were no worse than they had been the previous year once the season had finished.

However, the club's directors then proposed that no players be retained and the summer wages therefore not be paid until August 1911.

This led to City manager Arthur Chadwick delaying his decision as to whether he signed a new contract or not. He felt it was imposing upon him an unfair responsibility to try and put together a team for the following season that would be strong enough to compete at Southern League level.

He added that by the end of July pretty much every other club of any note had already made signings.

And that in order to keep the Southern League flag flying high at St James's Park, he must be allowed to do likewise.

Interestingly, even in 1911 it was stated that the football club had no prospect whatsoever of producing a profit on the season's workings to clear any of the debt that they had accumulated since turning professional.

The attendances and revenue from them was insufficient to meet outgoings.

The saga rumbled on for some time and by the start of the 1911-12 season, it was reported that Exeter City Football Club were facing a very dark outlook.

By then, the problem of not having sufficient finances to pay summer wages to players had been aired at a supporters' meeting.

Those who attended offered to pay up to £100 towards the wage bill and a further £100 was donated afterwards. City managed to get through the summer, although this was a problem that was to return several times over the years, as the club struggled to balance the books.

It is fair to say that the early 1960s proved to be a real financial nightmare for City, and with Accrington Stanley having gone out of business and resigning from the Football League, many felt that Exeter may have gone the same way.

But despite the concern shown, the Grecians battled on and after many other pleas for finance to supporters and sponsors, managed to survive, until the doors almost closed for the very final time during the relegation season of 2002-03 and on all the chaotic stories that were emanating from St James's Park.

With attendances having increased substantially this current season, and sponsorship and hospitality revenue also having shown healthy increases, it is hoped that it will be many years before, if ever, the Grecians have to issue a plea for financial help, as they have done so many times in the past.