A FLAMBOYANT new chairman who is no stranger to headlines, a team featuring a Brazilian and an Argentinian and one that is struggling for goals; the cities of Exeter and York maybe at opposite ends of the country but their football clubs have a lot in common.

Following a boardroom take-over at St James Park in the summer, the Grecians now boast spoon-bender and television personality Uri Geller as their new co-chairman alongside former Scarborough chairman John Russell.

Former Swansea chief Mike Lewis has been installed as vice-chairman, a position also occupied by Geller's son, Daniel.

It is Lewis and Russell who do most of the day-to-day work but Geller is in regular contact with the club, attends most matches and is expected to be at tomorrow's game.

Not expected to be taking his seat in the directors' box though will be pop superstar Michael Jackson.

Jackson is a close friend of Geller's and this summer made a visit to St James Park after being appointed an honorary director of the club.

On the field, under-pressure manager John Cornforth is trying to bring in a new striker ahead of City's visit.

Exeter slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Southend last Saturday, their sixth of the campaign, and despite boasting former Wolves and Motherwell striker Don Goodman they have now scored just one goal, and that a penalty, in their last three games.

With tomorrow's game looming large, Cornforth was today trying to tie-up the loan signing of 22-year-old target man Marvin Robinson from First Division Derby County.

Robinson has Premiership experience but has made just a handful of first team appearances at Pride Park and has previously had a loan stint at Stoke City.

Should the Robinson deal fall-through, Cornforth may turn to Argentinian striker Sebastien Scalise.

Scalise has been with the Grecians for the last two months but has so far failed to make an impact or first-team appearance.

However, he was on target twice for Exeter's reserves in midweek and is expected to claim a place on the bench at the very least tomorrow.

With centre-backs Chris Curran and Alex Watson both out injured, Brazilian defender Santos Gaia is tipped to return to the starting line-up. Gaia has completed his second suspension of the season after being sent-off twice in Exeter's first six games.

Updated: 10:37 Friday, October 04, 2002