Alex Hartridge Discusses Abuse from Rival Fans During Carabao Cup Match
Plymouth Argyle defender Alex Hartridge has expressed concern over the abuse directed at him by some Exeter City fans during the Carabao Cup first-round match on Monday, stating that it “went too far.”
The 27-year-old, who previously played for Exeter, scored the opening goal in stoppage time of the second half, contributing to a 2-0 victory over his former club at Home Park.
In the first half, it is reported that a lighter was thrown in Hartridge’s direction, alongside songs referencing his family. He addressed the situation in an interview with BBC Sport, saying, “I think it’s pretty clear that that went too far. The rivalry and the game that this is is great because of the animosity between the fanbases and that’s why it’s so good, but it’s not nice to see it spill over and to be a part of that.” He added that the incident motivated him, making his goal even more rewarding.
Exeter’s manager, Matt Taylor, who coached Hartridge during much of his tenure at St James Park, shared his disappointment regarding the fans’ reaction. He emphasized Hartridge’s contributions to the club, stating, “He’s someone who has fought his way to having a career in the game, someone who we’ve worked so hard to get to have a career, someone who’s served the club so well and never let us down in terms of when he played for his football club.” Taylor noted the irony of a lighter being thrown from the Exeter fan base, followed by Hartridge scoring the winning goal.
Plymouth Argyle manager Tom Cleverley commended Hartridge’s ability to maintain focus throughout the match, stating, “There’s one story to come out of this game and it’s the guy who used to play for Exeter who got suffered some pretty poor abuse in the first half and then goes and scores the winner.” Cleverley expressed satisfaction with Hartridge’s performance since joining the team, highlighting his reliability.
Hartridge reassured that the abuse would not affect him personally, suggesting it reflects the significant impact he had during his time at Exeter. He noted, “It’s not nice but it’s not for me to react to it and it means nothing really. The people I love, I think, are OK and I’ll check in on them and make sure that this experience hasn’t affected them.” He acknowledged that the negative sentiments stemmed from his past successes with Exeter, deeming it a validation of his achievements at the club.
Plymouth Argyle defender Alex Hartridge has said some of the abuse directed at him by a section of Exeter City fans during Monday’s Carabao Cup first-round tie “went too far”.
The former Exeter player, 27, scored the opening goal in second-half stoppage time on his Argyle debut, helping his new side to a 2-0 win against their Devon rivals at Home Park.
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During the first half, what is thought to have been a lighter was thrown in Hartridge’s direction, while there was also a song that mentioned his family.
“I think it’s pretty clear that that went too far,” he told BBC Sport.
“The rivalry and the game that this is is great because of the animosity between the fanbases and that’s why it’s so good, but it’s not nice to see it spill over and to be a part of that.
“It definitely gave me a bit more and it made that sweeter, the way it ended.”
Exeter manager Matt Taylor managed Hartridge for much of his career at St James Park.
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He said it was disappointing to see the way some fans reacted to a player who helped them get promoted from League Two in 2022 and played more than 150 games for them.
“He’s someone who has fought his way to having a career in the game, someone who we’ve worked so hard to get to have a career, someone who’s served the club so well and never let us down in terms of when he played for his football club,” Taylor told BBC Sport.
“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.
“I think the lighter was thrown from our end, and then he scores the winning goal, that’s football, that’s the way football goes sometimes.”
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Argyle boss Tom Cleverley praised Hartridge’s resilience to stay focused and come up with the key moment of the game.
“There’s one story to come out of this game and it’s the guy who used to play for Exeter who got suffered some pretty poor abuse in the first half and then goes and scores the winner,” said the former England midfielder.
“I’m delighted for him, he’s been outstanding since he’s been here.
“To be successful, you need as many players who you can count on to be seven out of 10 every week and he’s certainly one of them.”
Hartridge said the abuse will not affect him and felt it shows the impact he had during his time at Exeter.
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He came up through the academy ranks before going on to have an eight-year first-team career, and then returned in the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan.
“It’s not nice but it’s not for me to react to it and it means nothing really,” he added.
“The people I love I think are OK and I’ll check in on them and make sure that this experience hasn’t affected them.
“Stick and abuse I was expecting and none of what they said is true, it’s just words.
“The reason why there’s that – I guess hatred – from some people towards me is because of the things I’ve done for Exeter and the opportunities that Exeter has given me as a club and my relationship with people there.
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“So I’ll just take it as, not that I need it, but kind of validifying my success there and the things I’ve done at that club.”
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