Ian Pethick

One for Dave Deacon I think. Remember watching PSF's with unnamed trialists in line ups, and the chances were that somebody in the crowd recognised them. They then of course told others, who told others and it then got spread on social media. Perhaps trailists should be made to wear disguises (the "Masked Trialist" sounds like an idea for a TV show).

The forecast looks pretty grim in Penzance for the Falmouth game tonight. Hope it doesn't deter the locals and the F-Troop.

First friendly for City tomorrow night at Torpoint, and the first glimpse of the new side in the John Askey era. Thinking that there will be many unnamed trialists on display.

... and nice ground. Think the whole "nice" thing gets up the noses of the Buckland fans.

Would love to see the stats of how many points Torpoint gained last season when Ryan Richards played, against how many when he didn't. Big difference I would think. Do you think promotion is the minimum expectation for Dan Hart this season?

Adam Carter has been a great striker over the last 20 years or so, he seemed impossible to mark when he played for Darren Gilbert's all powerful Bodmin side. I would mention Ryan Richards though. Prolific striker, and scored a bigger range of goals than Carter. Richards can score from distance, and is also a big threat running in behind. Neither of which are strengths of Adam Carter.

Players fitness, diets and preparations are way beyond what you used to see at this level as well. Every team has proper warm up and warm down routines, not just blowing into their hands and a couple of short sprints. Most teams (even in the Western League) used to have one or two in their side who were carrying a bit of weight and didn't really run (not going to name them, but they were still really good footballers) and might have been partial to the odd cigarette. You just don't see them anymore.

Adam Carter is probably good for 30 plus goals a season in the SWPL, which is a sad indictment of the quality of the league.

Think you're onto something. That will have them queuing around the block to get into Langarth.

A busy start to pre season for the Trialist family. Many of the brothers, cousins and even second cousins involved for Taunton v Street tonight.

Tuesday night at Torpoint will be the first chance for City fans to see what has gone on player wise so far. On another note, has anybody seen or heard anything from John Askey? Interesting that it was Stewart Yetton who gave the quotes regarding pre season.

Previous St Austell manager Mark Smith, who was promoted from their ECPL side, talked on the CS Podcast about the quality of local youngsters that he had and introducing them into the first team. Assume they have all moved on?

Curtis Damerell signs for St Austell. Quite the squad they're putting together.

Think Joe O'Loughlin is injured. Few players not in the Tavi line up last week, guess holidays/unavailability comes into the equation when you play a friendly on the 2nd of July (far too early in my opinion).

Yes, probably. Would think that Aaron Dearing, Ed Harrison, Alex Battle and Liam Prynn would be in the thoughts of a few step 3 clubs (and possibly step 4 as well).

Before last night's PSF v St Austell, Stuart Henderson talked about 3 or 4 of his players rejecting advances from step 3 clubs, and staying loyal to him. Guess that means Parkway and Tiverton then.

Interesting as well to see that Lavercombe has agreed a 2 year contract.

Good replacement for James Hamon. Should lift the mood amongst the Truro fans.

Hopefully it's not, "bye, bye, bye."

Would be interesting to see what Falmouth received from the Great Wakering Vase 1/4 final match last season. The official gate was given as around 600 when, to most observers who were there, it felt like the crowd was at least double that. Pretty inconvenient (or convenient?) that the card terminals at the turnstiles went down, and it was cash only for most of the people that hadn't pre bought tickets.

Don't think it's out of the question for this game.

They're certainly throwing everything at it. Dan Hayfield and Jordan Dyer, both brought in from Bath City (they seem unhappy with the manner in which Torquay conducted themselves here) in recent days, were amongst the best players in the NLS last season. The new ownership and management is certainly generating a lot in terms of buzz and revenue which, together with Neil Warnock's myriad of connections and contacts, will mean that they can bolster the squad as and when it is needed. Truro City must be looking on very enviously at this, although they can look forward to a potential sell out at Langarth when Paul Wotton takes his new club there for a league visit.

A thread to report on what the numerous sons of Mr and Mrs Trialist are up to in pre season. They were certainly busy yesterday, here's the line up for Plymouth True Blues (Rangers Supporters Club) in yesterday's friendly at Stoke Gabriel And Torbay Police.

The FA Trophy has nothing like the same kudos as the Vase. NL sides who have interest in promotion and relegation view it as a distraction, they have much the same attitude as the Premier League clubs display in the League and FA Cups. The Vase is, to my mind, the premium knockout competion in England and Wales. Every club who's in it gives it a good go.