Police respond to what Plymouth Argyle & Exeter City fans did on Saturday | OneFootball

The police have issued a response to what Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City supporters did during Saturday lunchtime's Devon Derby clash

Saturday lunchtime's Devon Derby showdown between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City saw the spoils shared in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Home Park.

Quite arguably, it was a result which neither side needed as they pursue their respective ambitions at opposing ends of the League One table.

Exeter, having twice went ahead before ultimately settling for a last-grasp point after defeating Tom Cleverley's side at St James' Park earlier in the season, remain three points shy of safety behind 20th-placed AFC Wimbledon, who boast a potentially decisive game in hand over the Grecians.

For Plymouth, meanwhile, a point at Home Park meant precious little to their late pursuit of a play-off spot, which was further hindered when sixth-placed Stevenage claimed an impressive victory at Bradford City later in the afternoon to go four points clear of the Green Army with, once again, a game in hand too.

Argyle, mind you, may have emerged from this season's second edition of the vaunted Devon Derby as the happier of the two sides, having twice gone behind before leveling on two separate occasions during a frantic final 11 minutes through Lorent Tolaj and Malachi Boateng.

The Devon Derby often makes headlines for events off the pitch just as much as what happens on it. There's never any love lost between both sets of players and supporters, with a heavy police presence having been the order of the day as Exeter fans received an escort from the authorities on their way down the A38.

And now, with the dust settling on the latest showdown between the two Devon rivals, the police have responded to what supporters did on the afternoon.

Police respond to what Plymouth Argyle & Exeter City fans did during the Devon Derby

There have been many high-profile arrests and incidents between Exeter and Plymouth supporters over the years, and police were on red alert to keep antisocial behaviour to a minimum when the Grecians rocked up for their first visit to Home Park since October 2022.

Indeed, Devon and Cornwall Police issued a firm warning to fans in the days leading up to the clash, where it was made clear in no uncertain terms that any punters found to be breaking the rules could be arrested and slapped with a football banning order.

And, much to the relief of the authorities, it has emerged that the vast majority of supporters listened to the guidelines and stayed out of trouble on such an emotionally-charged afternoon.

The police have revealed that three people were arrested at Home Park for respective incidents of entering the pitch, throwing a missile into the stands and common assault on a steward. However, no further arrests were made and match commander, Supt Vicky Howell of Devon and Cornwall police thanked supporters for heading to the game in the "right spirit" and, for the large part, staying out of trouble.

Via the BBC, Howell said that "officers took a "visible, proportionate and proactive approach throughout the day which helped prevent issues from escalating and ensured people could enjoy the occasion safely.

"Whilst there was a small number of arrests, this reflects our commitment to taking action where necessary.

"I would like to thank supporters, residents, and our partners, particularly the football clubs, for their cooperation in making this a successful operation."

We may not see another Devon Derby between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City for some time

It may also be to the relief of the local authorities that exactly when the next Devon Derby affair will take place now remains unclear amid Exeter's battle against relegation to League Two, which comes against the backdrop of well-documented financial struggles for the Grecians.

That would cast doubt over the club's ability to go straight back up to League One if relegated, which is beginning to appear increasingly likely as we head into the season's twilight.

Plymouth, having enjoyed a dramatic upturn in fortunes in recent months under Tom Cleverley following a nightmareish start to life back in the third-tier, are hardly going to be in League Two anytime soon and could even return to the Championship via the play-offs at the very first time of asking.

Both clubs appear to be heading in different directions right now, with supporters rightly being lauded for their behaviour in what may have been the last Devon Derby showdown for some time.