Exeter City hope for match with Brazilian national team

The Brazil Masters team played Exeter in 2004

Two Exeter City directors have flown to Rio de Janeiro in the hope of setting up a match between the League One club and the Brazil national team.

The Grecians are hoping to celebrate the centenary of the national team, who played their first-ever match against Exeter in 1914.

Vice-chairman Julian Tagg and business development manager Bruce Henderson are in Brazil to meet officials.

Exeter marked their own centenary with a game against Brazil Masters in 2004.

In the side that day were former Brazil stars Dunga and Careca.

"Whilst we have no guarantees that we can deliver a repeat of that amazing first game, we owe it to ourselves, the club and its supporters to explore ways in which this important centenary for both Brazil and for Exeter City can be celebrated," said chairman Edward Chorlton.

"The Brazilians are keen. I am sure that during their visit our ambassadors Julian and Bruce will do their best to progress negotiations so that we can pull this off and do so in our normal way without cost or risk to the football club."

The Exeter duo have been invited to Brazil by Fluminese official Eric de Menezes and they are hoping to set up contacts with television companies and potential sponsors.

"There is long way between a dream and reality and we harbour no false illusions or hopes," Julian Tagg said.

Exeter are no strangers to high-profile occasions.

In 2002 Michael Jackson was made an honorary director of the club after he and magician David Blaine visited St James Park as guests of then-Exeter City director Uri Geller.