When Robbie Simpson signed his first professional contract at Cambridge United, his team-mates racked their brains about what to call him. He was still studying for a full-time degree course in maths and sports science at Loughborough University, so, after some consideration, they came up with a nickname for the newcomer. They called him “Student”.

“They called me that at Coventry too,” he says. “That’s what I was always known as: Student.”

It is not a moniker that would be appropriate now he is at Exeter City. Anyone walking into the St James Park dressing room and calling out “Student” these days would find themselves overwhelmed by the response. Because at Exeter, far from being an isolated one-off, Simpson is part of a first-team squad including 11 members who either have a degree or are embarked on an Open University course. This is the football club where a book is not merely something in which the referee notes your name. This is a football club where education matters.

“I was surprised myself when I saw the list,” says Exeter manager Paul Tisdale of his student numbers. “Back in the old days when I was a player and doing courses I’d definitely keep it quiet. Culturally things have changed.”