"We'll never play you again." Five words that stick in the throats of Exeter City fans. And five words that have come back to haunt supporters of Plymouth Argyle.

When the Pilgrims were coasting to the League Two title under Paul Sturrock in 2002, their supporters were not only enjoying their success, but revelling in the worsening fortunes of their nearest and dearest.

At the time, you could see Argyle were going places. They had an astute manager that had brought them the success they craved and he had formed a side that was too good for that level.

City were, typically, just getting by. No direction, no money, an aging chairman that had given his all but wanted out and growing debts contributing to a pretty gloomy picture at St James' Park.

Things were to get a lot worse off the field, but on it, Marino Keith's chipped goal to seal a 3-0 win for the Pilgrims at Home Park in the last encounter between the two great rivals was hard to stomach for City fans. Great goal, yes, but Jesus, it hurt like hell. And what followed – the sight of thousands of Pilgrims mocking, waving and gesticulating towards their glum Exeter counterparts with chants of "We'll never play you again" – hurt even more. It was rammed further down the throats of Exeter fans by the posse of Pilgrims that turned up at the Park to witness City's relegation from the Football League in 2003.

Of course, it is all part of the rivalry. Football banter. But you should be careful for what you wish for because as the Pilgrims have found to their cost: nothing lasts forever.

Because City are playing Argyle again. And in league combat as well. Since that horrific night at Home Park, the Grecians have been reborn and are thriving. And when Exeter make the short trip down the A38 to renew old rivalries, it will be a very different Exeter City side to the one that surrendered so meekly back in 2002.

Some may even say that the fortunes are reversed. For it is Exeter who are blessed with a hugely talented manager and the base of a squad well capable of kicking on next season.

On the other hand, Argyle are on the lookout for a manager. Financial troubles have befallen them and it is they that are looking like the club in crisis.

It was little wonder Argyle fans so desperately wanted City to go down at the weekend. Torquay fans did as well with them wanting a Devon derby with City next season!

But for the Green Army, the prospect of a Devon derby was too much to bear after a campaign filled with disappointment following their relegation from the Championship. St James' Park, Newcastle replaced by St James' Park, Exeter on next season's fixture list. And that wish to see City go down was driven by a fear that five certain words could very well come back to bite them on the bum.

They have. And the Devon derby is back. How long it lasts, who knows, time will tell. But I tell you one thing: The first fixture that fans of both clubs will be looking for when the fixtures are released on June 17 is quite simple. Exeter versus Plymouth.