RED OR DEAD
Exeter were relegated from the English professional league two seasons ago and when a supporters' trust took over the running of the club in May 2003 they found debts of 4.8 million pounds ($9.4 million).
"It seemed obvious no white knight was going to come in to save the club," commercial director Trevor Gilbery told Reuters at the club's St James's Park ground.
"Through fundraising we have helped raise 30 to 40,000 pounds each month to meet the running costs. That is why we are still here."
Gilbery dreamed up the "Red or Dead" campaign, offering fans a stark choice of seeing Exeter's players pulling on their red jerseys or face the club folding.
"There are people with standing orders coming straight from the bank and other people doing silly fundraising things," he said.
Exeter's director of football is Steve Perryman, who enjoyed success as a manager in Japan's J-league and played in Tottenham Hotspur's successive FA Cup wins in 1981 and 1982.
"If the supporters had not done what they have then Exeter would have lost its football club, which would have been a disaster," he told Reuters.
Exeter City calendars are on sale in the club shop with proceeds going straight to the survival bid but in the card shop on Exeter High Street one of the best-selling calendars at Christmas was, of course, Manchester United's.
Exeter are looking to raise half a million pounds from the United match with 10,000 fans planning to make the trip but they recognise it is just a temporary boon.
"It is not going to be in our hands for very long as 50 percent of any windfall would go to the CVA. It could get us to an even keel," Gilbery said.
"It is not going to be in our hands for very long as 50 percent of any windfall would go to the CVA. It could get us to an even keel," Gilbery said.
"Perhaps we could get to a position where we could think about buying a player."
"It is a big tie and will mean much needed revenue. For a club like this to play anyone in a Manchester United shirt is much welcomed," Perryman said.