Ollie Watkins: England goalscorer’s friends react to Euro 2024 win

Watkins’ rise has not just been great for Exeter’s reputation, but for their bank balance as well.

The Grecians sold him to Brentford for £1.8m in 2017, and when he made his £28m move to Aston Villa they made another £4m from a sell-on clause and a further £750,000 in additional performance-related add-ons.

But he also created some memories that will last forever for Exeter City fans.

“I was in the old grandstand when he scored against Plymouth and I just think that was a sublime moment,” Exeter City Supporters’ Trust chairman Nick Hawker told BBC Radio Devon.

“Not only was it a fantastic goal, but one of your own scoring against your arch rivals is really special.

“I remember at the time we were trying to raise money for the academy and one of my lines when I was going around asking people for money was ‘we produce good people, not just good footballers’.

“I think that work ethic that we hopefully will have instilled in Ollie carries through, and if we’re still doing that there would be other Ollies in the future.”