Ian Pethick

Parkway went out of the FA Vase and FA Cup to step 5 sides this season. The Western League will definitely present new challenges for both players and management.

Couldn't be more pleased for you Bald One. Standing in the Bolitho car park waiting for the bus to Witheridge on a Saturday morning in early 2012, wondering how many players would turn up and if we'd even get a full team out, seems like a long time ago now.

From the stuff on Twitter, sounds like Parkway blew away Bideford (a step 4 side who only missed the play offs by a point). Hope this side can be kept together in the Western League next season.

I'm thinking of your wellbeing.

Believe me, The Bald One enjoys the tea hut ...

Sausage and chips Oddball? Used to be all about the French cheese and red wine for you.

If Liskeard can join Parkway in being promoted as champions , then this would be the perfect season ending for me.

"The FA is For All and, as a not-for-profit organisation, our core focus is to develop the national game and invest in the future. "In 2016 we announced our four-year strategic plan to Unite the Game, Inspire the Nation, to bring English football closer together. Two years in and we are making real progress. "The FA is in good financial health and we have a clear focus to continually improve the way we service the needs of the English game and prove that The FA is For All." - Martin Glenn, FA Chief Executive, 21st March 2018.

I would keep very quiet about that on this forum Ginger Ninja.

A Western League section would be good to have. Seem to remember several Buckland Athletic supporters used to post on here as well, would be good to get them back.

Expect you're right Big Al. Given the age and strength of the squad, the size of the support and improvements to the ground that had been made and were in the offing. it did seem that St Austell were good for a few seasons of success. Be interesting to hear the views of the St Austell fans on why this didn't happen.

St Austell look like a club that has gone steadily backwards after the league title and Vase semi of 2014/15. They looked ready to move up to step 5 that season , surprised they didn't do this as this would have provided the challenge needed to keep everything going in the right direction. Not privy to the reasons why though, must have had valid reasons.

Does this mean the blazers at the FA will choke on their sherry and prawn sandwiches and get involved in any disciplinary measures in the pipeline? Could be harsh punishments if they feel the need to be seen to be doing something.

After having read this thread from a distance, and seen the emotions this has stirred, it makes me wonder what the motivations are for clubs at SWPL Premier Division in running a reserve/second team? Do clubs make any money out of them, and are they seen as a support to the first team or completely separate club? Having noticed the furore surrounding Parkway using the reserves to give players starved of game time a run out ( which contravenes no rules, and they are perfectly entitled to do), I was interested in how other clubs managed this relationship. I remember well from supporting Liskeard in the eighties and nineties how the Western League and East Cornwall League sides had nothing to do with each other, and that Tiverton Town had no reserve team in their golden FA Vase winning era.

Not one of the players who grabs the headlines at Parkway, but Mike Smith looks to be developing into a top all round forward. Really impressed in particular by the goals he scores, seems to be able to score both the spectacular as well as the calm and measured finishes.

Thanks Bald One. I had almost managed to forget that.

Quite a few here would be glad to see the back of The Bald One (it's more attractive than the front anyway... )

Would have loved to have shared this jouney with ya buddy. Fancy moving back to Plymouth lol Envious of you guys down there. Following events from a distance, and it looks like it could be exciting times ahead in the next few seasons. Hopefully you remind the new supporters who the people were that made the long trip to Ifracombe in the Vase( "I'm head of security, and I'll be keeping an eye on you."), not forgetting of course the four man (or idiots) Poznan at Tavistock and the "milk,milk,lemonade" chant at Blazey. Couldn't be happier with the ambition at Parkway, but always remember what has gone on down the road at Truro.

Match off at Bolitho, the Plymouth rain has obviously struck again and combined with the already cut up pitch from Boxing Day. With Western League football looking good for next season, this could mean long midweek trips down the M5 in March and April for visiting teams if the weather patterns follow recent years. Also a few late afternoon journeys/late nights back going in the opposite direction for Parkway

Good rehearsal for the Boxing Day clash.

This makes their success in recent years even more remarkable. Have to respect Darren Gilbert and a few others for how successful they have kept the club on meagre gates and support.

The match at Bolitho on Boxing Day is shaping up to be a very big fixture (just hope the weather plays along), Tavvy have certainly gone under the radar with all the attention (deservedly) on Parkway. They have built a strong side over the past few seasons with a core of very good players in Josh Robins, Dan Evans, the Daw brothers , Jack Crago and Dave Hallett. Would be interesting to hear if Tavvy also have promotion ambitions.

Going to head south of the river from North London to watch this. Not sure what the pasties will be like at The Valley.

Long way to go this season. During the treble winning campaign they made a similar flying start and then had a sticky spell in February/March (remember defeats away to Godolphin, Blazey and Saltash and home to Ivybridge in this spell). The title wasn't won until the very last game . Have to be favourites, but a lot of games to go in which a lot can happen. Especially if it is another wet winter down in the South West, the fixtures can really pile up in the spring.

Reg Hambly at Camelford.