Ian Pethick

Only seen one pre season game confirmed for The Ashes so far (and not until the 29th July). Their social media seems to exclusively feature the match against the Man Utd legends, nothing regarding the Western League side.

Which is a real shame. On the field, Truro City are a superb side, the best they've had since the 2015/16 bunch that finished 4th and reached the NLS play offs. Most people on this forum, and in Cornwall, do not realise how good they are. It is entirely the fault of the people that run the club that a group of players as good as this play in front of sparse "home" crowds.

That Callum Martindale announcement in full; "... having spoken to the manager of Helston/Buckland (delete what not applicable),they match my ambitions and I am looking forward to travelling and meeting up with my teammates down the A30/up the A38 (delete the stretch of dual carriageway that doesn't apply). I am looking forward to starting pre season and getting started under Matt Cusack/Dan Hart (delete name not applicable). I'm sure we can have a great campaign at Kellaway Park/Homers Heath (delete ground name that's not applicable), and I want to help them push for the title."

The old "announced" but actually plays for them scenario. Thought they had already had Josh Robins ( probably the best left back on the local scene over the last 10 years or so).

Honestly, you turn your back for five minutes...

Reece Shanley and Teigan Rosenquest played regularly in those wing back positions last season, and have both moved onto Buckland. Barker and Martindale both look upgrades over those two.

Would think that most clubs have started their pre season now, looks like next weekend is the first big PSF weekend. As always, be interesting to see which players "keep their options open" by training or playing with several clubs. Mr Triallist will doubtless be very busy again.

They've started work? Good news if they have. It's been almost 6 months to the day since the club released plans for the new stadium, the clock is well and truly ticking for it be ready in time for the 2024/25 season.

Exactly. Shame on Wendron for trying out new ideas to get people through the gate.🙄

Seems to me though that the difference with Mousehole now compared to Truro is that when they were on their initial surge through the divisions under Heaney, it was a side that was mainly Plymouth and Exeter based. Jake Ash and Andy Watkins were among the few from Cornwall. The majority of the Mousehole squad are based in the county.

Helston signing Callum O'Brien from Saltash now makes sense.

Step 4 football is bound to be an attraction for James Ward, heard that he didn't look out of place in his brief spell with Truro a few seasons back. Has been a superb leader for Falmouth and a big part of their recent story. Sure he will go with their best wishes (if he is departing). For me, it's a good thing that it looks like it will be a nucleus of Cornish born players for Mousehole in Southern League Div 1 next season.

By the nature of this forum (it is called the Cornwall Football Forum after all), the West division gets all the focus. People on here seemed slightly surprised at the way Okehampton dealt with Liskeard in the league cup final.

OK. So I'm guessing that the Peninsula players that are (allegedly) receiving over £100 per game in "expenses" are in, let's call it, "informal arrangements."

Quick question. If players are on contracts with these clubs, would they be considered employees and liable for PAYE and NI?

You do seem to know a lot about the budget at Parkway and Buckland, inside track?

Thinks he's a London based teacher training student, with his first placement being in Camden. That might have affected his availability for midweek matches (which came thick and fast towards the end of last season).

Lee Hobbs will be a year wiser in terms of Southern League football without a doubt. Looking around the league though, several clubs look to be heavily recruiting and signing players. Clubs can't afford to stand still at this level. Parkway definetely need to start well and get some wins on the board early, don't want to get drawn towards the wrong end of the table from the onset and have to play catch up over the winter months Time will be the judge of the new signings, and whether they are adequate replacements or upgrades for the players that have moved on. The departures of Austen Booth and Ben Seymour has left gaps in both attack and defence though, would think there must be a plan to replace them as we head towards the start of pre season.

That 2017/18 season when they finished runners up after having to play 11 games in the last 16 days, seemed to knock the club sideways. Been a bit of a revolving door manager wise since then as well, looks like they have stabilised under Dan Hart. The ground, facilities and the people behind the scenes (yes, mentioned those three things again) have been step 4 ready for a while, about time it was followed up on the pitch. It will be interesting to see how they carry the mantle of being (many people's) favourites for the title.

Not so sure. Flattered to deceive a bit at Parkway, and then seemed to be someone they tried to fit in at Helston (was playing as a left wing back in the highlights packages I saw). Played his best football in the couple of spells he had at Tavi, believe he lives in the area.

Barnstaple definitely ones to watch,especially if they keep hold of Tor Swann, Billy Tucker and Stu Bowker. But Brixham could be dark horses, a few players in their side with step 5 experience. Buckland might not have it all their own way in South Devon. Still see plenty of occurrences though when players are "announced " with great ceremony, and never actually kick a ball for that club.

A mate of mine's Dad, a massive Sheffied Wednesday fan went, along with a couple of mates, to the 1966 FA Cup Final against Everton (the Mike Tebilcock final). Only problem was, he was the only one who had a ticket. When they got to the turnstile, he wrapped a pound note around the ticket, passed it to the attendant and said "three please." The attendant duly trousered the money, and let them all through. He reckoned there were more like 120,000 in the ground, with many leaving because of the overcrowding.

Incredibly, the Devon Premier Cup Final is still to be contested. The game between Mount Gould and Newtown takes place this coming Saturday, June 17th at Coach Road. Cannot understand the reasons why it is yet to be played, expect someone on here will enlighten me. It is surely the last trophy to be played for in the English 2022/23 season, so late it is almost a pre season game. Notice as well that several of the MG side are already announced as following their managers to Ivybridge.

Neil Warnock has a great record in the championship, never been relegated from that division and has had 4 promotions to the Premier League with 4 different clubs. Premier League is a very different matter, his record is mediocre to say the least. Been relegated with Sheff Utd and Cardiff, and sacked by QPR and Crystal Palace when they looked doomed.

Yes, 46 game season in the NLS. Need decent squad strength and options. Loads of unattached players knocking around at this sort of level, so would think a few of these will pop up as triallists.