Ian Pethick

(deleted my thread on this as it overlaps). League features 10 clubs from either Cornwall or Devon (and the likes of Wellington, Bridgwater, Shepton Mallet and Street aren't too far into Somerset). One downside I guess (from a travelling point of view) is Mangotsfield being moved sideways from the Hellenic Premier.

Luke Mortimore is definitely a step 3/4 quality player (ex Tiverton and Willand). Brad Ausden, Luke Alden and Ben Bickle have also played for Willand at thar level.

The dreaded "vote of confidence" from the board. 😁

This thread was quite lively at the time. Given where the respective clubs are now, makes you wonder "what if?"

Do near neighbours, Mousehole, attract all the best young players in the area to their development team?

Sounds intriguing.

I really enjoy the quality of the footage and the editing, but Steve Massey's commentary is not for me I'm afraid. Find myself watching with the volume turned off.

It's a bloody tough, time consuming and thankless job . One in which every one is a critic, everybody could do it better and you have to deal (on a daily basis) with a lot of fragile egos who sometimes treat playing as something to do if they have nothing better on. Can understand why so many clubs have joint managers these days. Forgetten his name unfortunately, but can remember Torpoint's ECPL manager from the 2021/22 season talking on the podcast about how (even at that level) it was getting close to being a full time job. Can only imagine what it's like running a step 5/6 team, especially if you haven't got an active and supportive committee behind you (as Torpoint, amongst several others, have).

Shock news. All the talk at the end of last season was keeping this squad together, making a few additions and having a tilt at the title in 2023/24. That's now Newquay, Penzance and Millbrook that have lost managers in the last few days. Got a feeling that it will be a turbulent summer on the Cornish football scene.

Tough job them, any word on Gary Jeffrey carrying on as coach? Believe it was his links to the youth set up at Argyle that brought a lot of talented, Plymouth based, youngsters to the club last season. Considering how he guided a Millbrook side that lost their two long time key players (Tom Payne and Rikki Shepherd) last summer, that weren't paying players and had crowds below 3 figures, to a mid table step 5 level finish and the Cornwall Senior Cup final, Macca Brown should be in the manager of the year running.

Truro City have announced that the bulk of this seasons squad will be staying at the club for the new campaign, the most significant departures are Ollie Knowles and Matt Wright. Finlay Craske is advised as returning to his parent club (Argyle) which, as he has just been released by them, I would think becoming a permanent Truro City player is a strong possibility.

Do enjoy watching the Dorking documentary series about them, "Bunch Of Amateurs." Wouldn't argue with your description of him, but the level of access he grants to the film makers and the candid nature of the footage is to be applauded (and also shows his skills of self promotion).

Would assume that Parkway v Argyle will be the usual pre season curtain raiser (don't know if the partnership deal between the two clubs in 2020 is still in place though). Agree with yourself, can't see what either Parkway or Argyle would stand to gain by playing step 6 sides in friendlies. Has the annual Aubrey Wilkes Trophy match between Falmouth and City been confirmed? Wondering if the newly promoted City Peninsula League side will be the basis of their side for this game. Know it's in the wrong section, but Dorking Wanderers visiting Mousehole for a PSF catches the eye. They are a club that has progressed from a group of mates playing park football in div 4 of the West Sussex league to the National League in just over 20 years. This has been due to the drive, passion, charisma and flair for publicity of founder, owner, chair and manager, Marc White.

Ian was also a lethal striker for Liskeard before a serious knee injury ended his career in 1994 (the result of Barnstaple centre back Phil Lloyd going right through him in an away Les Phillips Cup quarter final). His 30 odd league goals in 1992/93 were the main reason The Blues avoided relegation from the Western League that season (they finished 18th out of 20 clubs).

Just read that the proposed takeover of Yeovil has collapsed, and the prospective new owners have walked away. Doesn't look good for them.

Not confirmed, and I'm just speculating. But Plymouth based Ben Adlesbury and Danny Sullivan did cite the extra travelling required for step 2 football when they left Taunton. City have certainly used the loan market well over the last few years (believe Alex Black is well connected, not too mention Paul Wotton having plenty of links to pro clubs). This season, Adam Porter (Salford) was outstanding in midfield, Fin Craske (Argyle) contributed a lot from wing back/centre back while Harvey Greenslade (Bristol Rovers) chipped in with a few vital goals late in the season. With Truro now at step 2, they will look an attractive place for clubs to "park" their youngsters.

Once the dust has settled and the post celebration hangovers have eased, I expect these will be a real live discussions within the board of City/ Pirates. We are fast approaching the 6 months since the public unveiling of the the plans for the new ground, perhaps it would be good to get Alex Black back on the podcast for an update before the summer break,

Certainly an interesting and busy summer ahead now regarding Truro and Parkway. Reading the ground grading requirements, looks like quite a bit of work will be needed to bring Bolitho Park up to step 2 standard, which has (the way I read it) to be completed by March 31st with no grace period given. This will be costly, and might impact on the Parkway playing budget for next season. Also throws into question the future of one or two City players, specifically those that left Taunton because they didn't want to or couldn't commit to National League South football. But, on the plus side, it will probably give fresh impetus to getting the new ground built. If they are going to be playing back home for the 2024/25 season, they I would think that it needs to be ready for June 2024. This is now less than 13 months away. Still sinking in though that clubs such as Torquay and Yeovil will be playing league matches at Bolitho Park next season.

Yes, I also got it wrong. Keeping a team together and getting it promoted to step 2 when it hasn't played a home match in 3 seasons, is quite an achievement.

Saw that, but hoping there would be some eye witness comments. Especially considering that it was possibly the biggest match in Saltash's history.

Hell of an achievement. Well done Truro.

No mention at all regarding the outcome of the Bristol MF v Saltash play off match. Desperately sad for The Ashes to suffer defeat in a match where the odds did seem stacked against them. Especially as it took the gloss off a successful, and incident packed season (both on and off the pitch). Hope they can keep the nucleus of this squad together and go again next time.

So, The Ashes will effectively have two days to plan travel to God knows where on a Bank Holiday Saturday. Hopefully as well their strongest possible squad is available to make the journey for this, a season defining fixture. Well done FA. Non League Matters Forum has a whole section devoted to these permutations. Think there are some who enjoy transfer window speculation and non league structure projections more than actually watching matches.

I would say that a greater risk for Mousehole is that step 2/3 clubs have a look at their players (and even the manager). One or two have surely come to other club's attention.

Never understood the concept of "being suspended, but not suspended " concept in non league. Players being banned at lower steps in the pyramid, and turning out for teams at higher levels (and vice versa) seems to have been happening for a few years now. A recent example was Truro City's Matt Wright being banned at step 3 level after being red carded, but then appearing for their step 7 St Piran's side. Does seem a bit farcical, and against the spirit (if not the laws) of the game.