But they were far from it.Tragic news had broken around St James' Park-Exeter's captain Adam Stansfield has lost his battle with cancer.
Clubs all around Britain paid tribute to the 31-year-old striker.Former managers,players and teammates mourned the death of a true professional.
ADAM AS A CHILD WITH HIS TEAM
It is very rare that a player in the lower leagues is so largely remembered by so many.The whole of Exeter watched his funeral and there were speeches from his former managers.
Stansfield was remembered widely for his gentleman attitude.In 2009,when he scored against his old club Yeovil,he refused to celebrate in an act of courtesy.
The day after his death,a 10-year-old Exeter fan laid a bunch of flowers in the home stand.He had written a message:
'RIP STANNO.You were my favourite Grecian player.I loved you on the pitch and my favourite goal was the one you scored against Southend away.CITY TIL I DIE.'
TRIBUTES
PAUL TISDALE,EXETER MANAGER:
'We loved Adam because he wore the shirt with pride and honour.But more importantly,we loved Adam because he loved us'
GARY JOHNSON,STANSFIELD'S MANAGER AT YEOVIL:
'I signed the lad in 2001,he was a hungry player.I feel so sorry for his wife and three kids having to cope without him.I miss him a lot and remember very well the time he won promotion with Yeovil.'
DAVID KEYTE,HEREFORD UTD CHAIRMAN:
'I know what it feels like-my daughter had cancer but survived.Sadly,he hasn't in this case.'
LEE JOHNSON,STANSFIELD'S FORMER YEOVIL TEAMMATE:
'Football was not his greatest love;his family was.He had endless love for Marie,Jay,Taylor and Cody.Cody is only 7 but looks promising as a striker,I hope he follows in Stanno's footsteps.'
RICHARD DUFFY,FORMER EXETER PLAYER:
'He was four years older than me,he should never have gone so soon.I can't even describe it.When we talk about former City players,they are ones from the 50s and 60s.He was still playing and that's even more tragic.'
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