Ian Pethick

The modern world of non league football. Season tickets to sell, replica kits to shift. Sponsors to keep happy and money needs to be made Sure there's plenty going on behind the scenes regarding incoming players at Parkway. Gather they've been back in pre season work for other a week now, so would think there will be plenty of trialists getting looked at. In my opinion, I would rather this more low key approach from new boss Chris McPhee if it resulted in getting the right players in (last season's transfer activity felt like getting bodies through the door to fill the squad, only 1 stayed beyond Christmas). First PSF is at Exmouth on the 9th July, this will be the chance for supporters to see what the post Lee Hobbs work in progress looks like.

Good luck to them. From what I've read, they'll need it.

Quite possibly. Would think they have several players training with them on a trial basis, and they will probably want to see them in a match environment before making a decision. I would think that they have made offers to others, and will be waiting on them accepting terms. Step 3 Dorchester's manager spoke last week about how difficult he's found recruitment this summer with quality targets training with several clubs, biding their time and weighing up numerous options before committing. Could be what is happening at Truro.

Hopefully they won't go the same way as the Cornish tin mining industry (not convinced the nickname was thought through).

After Ed Palmer, hearing rumours of further departures.

Their immediate rivals in that part of Devon don't run reserve sides. Tiverton, Bideford, Ilfracombe and Torrington focus on the under 18's part of the club. Farther afield, Parkway, Tavistock and Exmouth don't operate second teams, and Buckland have pulled their reserves from the step 7 Devon League and gone back to the South Devon League.

Believe that Barnstaple are looking to focus resources on their under 18's this season. Further dismishes the step 7 Devon League though, now down to one division of 17 teams for 2024/25.

Yes, my minimum expectation for a foreign football destination is to not see Jeremy Bowen doing nightly news reports while wearing a helmet, body armour and flinching every time he hears a bang. Mind you, that could describe the area around Tottenham Hotspur's ground... 😀

Blimey, this isn't still going is it? Got admire their perseverance I guess.

Avoids a case of the "Callum Martindale Syndrome" as well. This is a medical term for when a player is "announced" by a club, then gets "announced" by another soon after. Rob Farkins is the latest player to fall victim to this.😁

St Austell signing a couple of central midfield players, does this mean that Jake Miller won't be at Poltair next season?

All will become clearer when the first PSF is played at Exmouth on Tuesday 9th July.

Southern League Div 1 clubs must be desperately hoping for a dry winter (or at least less wet than last time around)). And, for the Cornish clubs, where do you fit the Senior Cup in? Always one of the arguments against admitting the step 4 clubs to the competition.

Would add Street to those mentioned. If Buckland keep Ryan Richards fit and firing, then you can guarantee 30 plus league goals from him next season. That would push them quite close to the title.

Both Barnstaple and Bridgwater have a high profile owner/chair who are not exactly shy about expressing opinions on playing matters. As they're funding the clubs it's their right to do this, but not a great environment for any manager to work within.

After announcing the signings of Ryan Brett and Taylor Scarff last week, it seems to have gone very quiet at Parkway again. Any decent rumours knocking around?

Just got be patient I guess. Hard though for a Truro fan to look at the activity at other clubs in the NLS, and not be slightly worried or envious. Would think that things will start to happen on the player front as we get close to pre season. On a positive note, the commercial team do seem to be very active. New sponsors being announced on an almost daily basis.

Not being specific to either Falmouth or the player here, but it's usually the side being successful and in the hunt for trophies or, dare I say it, money that keeps someone happy to sit on the bench.

Long, tough season in the Southern League. Add in the FA Cup, Trophy and the Senior Cup, and you could have around 50 matches to play. You need a strong squad and cover for all positions to be able to sustain a challenge on all fronts. Does need a decent manager to keep those that aren't playing happy, which Andy Westgarth seemed to be able to do last time around.

The new manager must be confident of getting players to relocate to the SW ( assume he has, think he was based in Yorkshire). Unfortunately, and despite what some on here think, you are going to struggle to be competitive in step 2 football by recruiting solely in Devon and Cornwall. There just isn't the pool of players. In one of his initial interviews after purchasing the club, new owner Eric Perez talked about helping players out with the move back to Truro. That could mean overnight hotel stays, or accommodation for players from out of the area. This is what happens on a lesser scale at Mousehole.

His blogs on non league football are quite a good read. He does appear to have a knowledge of the scene, and seems well connected. The pieces on individual clubs, and suggested signings, does have the look though of being pulled together from sites such as Transfermarkt and databases on Football Manager.

Interesting read. Suggestions of realistic signing options for Truro City (his opinions I must hasten to add). https://offtheline599656488.wordpress.com/2024/06/18/a-summer-rebuild-for-truro-city-under-john-askey/

Charlie Young is a decent signing for Penzance. Exactly the sort of player that they need around their promising local youngsters. Liskeard generally don't have a high turnover of players, every summer people think that they will lose several to step 4 and 5 clubs. Hasn't happened yet.

Heard that both Carlo Garside and River Allen were in the bag for Tavistock before Willand nipped in with better offers. Stuart Henderson now having to look elsewhere, Ruben Kane from SWPL Liskeard (good player as he is at step 6) isn't of the same calibre as Allen and Garside.

Don't know if you listened to Joe Scott on the CS Memories podcast. He described his brief spell at Barnstaple in the early 80's as one of, "being paid in coins from the social club fruit machine."