Ian Pethick

49 minutes ago, RAPPO said:

3 out of 4 wins for our teams!! Bit more like it! Well done I’d say 👍👏🏼⚽️

As predicted by yourself Rappo.

Things looking a bit brighter for the Cornish Western League sides, just need Blazey to turn the corner.

8 minutes ago, 100%cornish said:

You say about a Reserve side playing a Truro 1st  team player to get him fit instead of the lad that usually plays i wouldnt call that  fair and Jamie Lowry playing but thats good to help the young Truro side out Certain teams are doing it to much while others just play there usual sides i suppose because they cant afford to pay these ringers like the so called bigger clubs Just hope Newquay dont go that way dont think they would they  got so many talented youngsters to pick  from 

The aim of Truro City's reserve side is to develop their youngsters. I would say that having players such as Dan Rooney and Jamie Lowry (who have both played in the Football League) alongside them can only help with that.

Their is a big difference between what they are doing, and SWPL sides pulling in step 5 (and above) players for guest appearances. 

I have been reading and contributing to this forum for around 13 years now, I would say that "ringers" and the use of them, has been one of the most discussed topics of this time.

29 minutes ago, 100%cornish said:

 last week you had Truro team players like Dan Rooney playing for the reserves its just not on really 

 

Clue's in the title, they are Truro's reserves side and to be used as they see fit (within the rules obviously).

There has always been numerous views as to whether reserve teams should be playing in the SWPL, it was a live topic when Plymouth Argyle used to field a side in it. Quite possible that we could see either Falmouth Town or Helston Athletic having a reserve side in the SWPL next season, so the questions will keep coming.

16 minutes ago, Tavi Fan said:

Great player and can see he’s a class above. Nobody realistically expected him to stay. Again, we all wish him well.

For an attacking full back we dont understand why he’s gone to a relegation battle with Plymouth Parkway. 

Perhaps the FA Cup prize money has loosened the purse strings at Parkway slightly.

5 minutes ago, Soccer Follower said:

St Austell won 2-1.

Were Max Gilbert and Curtis Damerell in the St Austell squad?

3 minutes ago, Tavi Fan said:

Jack Endacott has joined Parkway

Did they play for Tavistock? ✅ 

We all wish him well but for someone who wants to progress in their career this one has baffled us all.

Setting aside the Parkway v Tavi animosity for a moment (thought that Lee Hobbs leaving would have drawn a line under that), how did Jack Endacott perform with you lot?  Seemed to lose his way at Argyle after being earmarked for big things a few years back, and heard he was uninspiring in a loan spell at Tiverton last season.

Would seem to be a long term replacement for the badly missed Ryan Lane at Bolitho.

Callum Rose has joined Barnstaple, making his debut for them today at St Austell. 

8 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

John seemed to think it works fine! 

Logical way to go for City, especially given the location of the club and the constraints it creates in terms of attracting players.

Suspect that there's very few clubs at step 2 level that operate on a purely part time basis. As you've pointed out on the podcast, the commitment required for players in the NLS makes it almost impossible to combine this with being in a full time job.

Just listened to John Askey on the CS Podcast, heard him talk about the "hybrid" system they have in the squad, with full time players alongsi the part time contingent. Presumably this means that one group has several daytime training sessions within the week, with another group attending on a couple of evenings. Just wondering how this works in practice regarding fitness and coaching/tactics sessions.

4 minutes ago, FeedtheYak said:

A real competitive game of football last night. Liskeard just had that quality to bring off the bench after it looked even with both teams working hard. Some real quality from a good player the difference on the night. Not sure who was permanent or can be classified as ‘ringers’.

However, history shows with ‘ringers’ and Bodmin this don’t work for a club long term. Also, if they manage to get promoted the same players are dropping away from the clubs after they’ve gone up so likely to happen again.

See that ex Parkway centre back John Heveran played for Liskeard. Thought he was long retired.

2 hours ago, Uwdi Krugg said:

A local journalist in the Cornish Times banged out an interesting headline in their latest edition: Brown bemoans 'Obscene' fixture schedule.

The apparent interview relates to Saltash Manager, Macca Brown calling the Western League fixture schedule 'Obscene' as they completed a 230 mile round trip to Nailsea & Tickenham & some other games inside a 3 week period. Ilfracombe & Brixham included. The rant continues stating Saltash had possibly played more games than anybody in the country! 

There's plenty more quotes in the piece which also highlights "ridiculous fixture scheduling".

A hard hitting interview, but surely everyone by now knows full well about the travelling and higher level of football in the Western League, irrespective of whether it's appreciated or otherwise.

I just find public terminology such as 'Obscene' a little ridiculous when one considers everything else going on in our World at the moment.

Not sure how many Saltash, or Western League punters have seen the rather rash statements made in the article?

The language does seem a bit excessive. Perhaps Saltash might be a bit more at home back in the SWPL?

Just now, Dave Deacon said:

Probably not I suspect Ian, but without his involvement where might Truro be today?

I was being a bit cheeky, but the club might not have existed beyond the SWL (or even at all) if he hadn't arrived. Can remember visiting a pretty bleak and empty Treyew Road immediately before the Heaney era. Turns out it was all built on sand, but without him, City wouldn't have had multiple promotions and an FA Vase triumph.

In my opinion, the most influential man in Truro City's history.

(You could also make a case for Peter Masters, he stepped in and kept the club alive when it was close to going out of business).

Assuming Kevin Heaney won't be in the Truro City Hall Of Fame.🙄

18 hours ago, tfenlon said:

Charlie Stevens was on the bench away at Sittingbourne on Saturday, can't find much about him but seems to be a defensive player and had a trial with Brentford in 2023. Parkway also have Sam Joce on loan at Tavistock, not sure how he's done and/or indeed if he's got much game time, but the numbers issue does seem to be close to rearing it's head again.

Charlie Stevens has been playing for Dartmouth in the Devon League this season. Another new face, Evandro Belo Flores is a Portuguse striker that I know nothing about. The only detail I can I find is that he has been a student at Plymouth Uni, and previously appeared in their sides. Could be gem, who knows?

In the programme notes for tomorrow's game v Banbury, Chris McPhee talks about using loan and dual registration signings ,together with developing the players already at the club, as the way the squad will be strengthened.

29 minutes ago, mattelot said:

Talking to parkway fans who joined the F troop at Saltash on Tues night.They can't understand the loan deal for Crago.They'd like Matt Cussack back as well.

Judging by this interview in the Herald, Parkway chair Mark Russell seems happy with how it's going under Chris McPhee.

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/plymouth-parkway-handed-home-draw-9593804

52 minutes ago, Tavi Fan said:

I still fancy Yate for the title but Mousehole and Bristol Manor Farm should run them close.

 

Would you have Helston in the mix as well? In my opinion, lot depends on keeping Jack Crago around.

Mousehole up to 3rd after a 4-1 victory over Bideford, and with games in hand on the teams above them.

Long way to go yet, but gathering momentum very nicely and still have a few key players to come back into the squad.

New additions bedding in nicely from what I see, Torin Ntege (in particular) looks like a real find in attack. Mark Goldsworthy must be relishing his approach play, and all those crosses he is putting into the danger ares

52 minutes ago, Uwdi Krugg said:

Obviously seem to have got what they deserved Ian.

Bit disgracious to the dwindling Bodmin faithful 🥴

Nice change for Torpoint to be on the other end of it though 😆

No idea what the gate was last night, but if I was a Bodmin supporter I might apply the, "the manager can't be bothered with the game, I won't bother to pay and watch it" logic.

Following his comments last week, be interesting to see what sort of Bodmin side Simon Minett put out for their 0-6 reversal v Torpoint last night.

Lot of experience in the Elburton Villa side vs Newton Spurs.

Jason Peters, Danny Lewis, Callum Watson, Sam Hughes and Levi Landricombe all start.

1 hour ago, Dave Deacon said:

Probably have to allow for ...........

players at Uni

players still registered but no longer with the club

first team players that aren't always available

physio named

One named who lives in Finland

Another registered and with another club(?!)

Another signed for another SWPL club

Injuries

and then those that are U-18 and involved in the FA Youth Cup tie

The emphasis of the Reserve side focussing on a lot of young players comes a cropper in this two-cup commitment!

I'm assuming that Truro can't use any of their NLS squad in the Senior Cup (as they have done this season in the SWPL). Might have been a useful run out for some of their fringe players.

19 hours ago, Both Sides of the Tamar said:

No Stu played for Dartmouth. I was at the game away to Exeter Uni. Even first half, but the Students were great in the second period! They look like  Devon Football League title winners on this evidence!

Exeter Uni would have been a great addition to the SWPL East this season. Them failing their ground grading, and being refused entry, sounded like textbook FA top down imposed bureaucracy. 

17 hours ago, Both Sides of the Tamar said:

Devon County Cup is a miserable competition that no-one cares about. The Corwall Senior Cup is infintely more prestigious a competition!

For example, I saw Brixham v Oke this week. A scratch Fish side featuring only 4-5 from the regular starting line up, therefore hardly a shock that a competent Oke team went through!

Heard Bodmin's Simon Minett say on the CS Podcast that the Senior Cup isn't a priority for him . He believes that the step 4 clubs will be in the running to win it, and that he will be resting  players and focussing on the league and league cup.

Said it before, but a book on the 75 years of Falmouth Town would make a great read.

A tale of boom, bust, boom, bust and then onto the current resurgence.

Quite a few heroes and also plenty of villains along the way.

Elliott Crawford returning to Torpoint from the Ashes should make a big difference.