Exeter City supporters will continue to fund the wages of promising striker James Norwood.

The 19-year-old signed for the Devon club last summer and made four appearances, but his progress was such that manager Paul Tisdale felt he warranted a second year.

Norwood's wages have been funded by a group of Supporters' Trust members. Around 70 fans established the '1931 Fund' in August 2009 – a reference to City's great 1931 FA Cup run. Members each pay £19 per month to fund Norwood, who wears the number 31 shirt.

"The backing we get from our fans has played a huge part in Exeter City's success," manager Paul Tisdale said. "When you see the fans organising themselves to pay month after month for an exciting young player, it's yet more proof that we have something special here at Exeter."

City fanatic Alan Crockford is the 'brains' behind the operation, and he was delighted to be able to continue contributing to the cause.

"The fans own Exeter City through our Supporters' Trust, and this is just another way in which we're making that work," he said. "There'll be plenty of rich businessmen bankrolling clubs next season, and still more racking up debts to pay for players that they couldn't otherwise afford. We have to do things differently.

"The only way that we, as a people's club, can compete is through fans like us doing that bit extra."

Meanwhile, Tisdale has told defender George Friend that the "door is open" to return to St James' Park following his release by Wolverhampton Wanderers last week.

The talented 22-year-old came through the youth ranks at St James' Park and was sold to the Premier League outfit – then a Championship side – in a £350,000 deal at the end of the summer transfer window in 2007.

He made seven appearances in two years at Molineux – his last coming in their controversial defeat at Manchester United this season – and he enjoyed loan spells at Millwall, Southend United and Scunthorpe during the last campaign.

He ended the season back in a red and white shirt and made a valuable contribution as the Grecians avoided relegation from League One on the last day of the season with a 2-1 victory over Huddersfield Town.

"We would like to have George and told him we would love to have him. There is always a place here for George," Tisdale said.

"Off the back of his performances over the last couple of months, there are suddenly a lot of clubs interested in him again, which I always thought would be the case.

"He contributed greatly to what we have done and there will always be a place here for someone as talented and committed and as gracious as George."

Tisdale added: "He is not going to commit himself until he knows what his options are. Which is fair enough, really, it is as long and as short as that, really."

Friend held talks with Wolves boss Mick McCarthy last Thursday, when he was told his contract was not being renewed. "I don't know the dynamic of him at that club, and I can understand it," Tisdale said.

"The focus of the club has changed between the Championship and the Premier League and they have stayed in the Premier League.

"In the same way that we stayed in League One, relegation would have changed our focus.

"I'm not surprised by anything. I'm not saying they made a bad decision, it is their prerogative and Mick McCarthy knows what he is doing."