Dedicated Truro City fans!

Morrish Truscott, Leonard Morgan and Ray Rowe - Three familiar faces from Truro City with years of experience behind them.  Morrish is a past first team manager, being succeeded in the late 80's by Steve Massey.  Len is a past Chairman of the club for ten years and the current Vice President.  Ray is a past Club Secretary of some 20 years and familiar face on the South Western league refereeing scene. 

Focus on the 'keepers

Born in Enfield on 15th June 1989, Tim Sandercombe (6'5") joined Notts County following his release from Argyle.  Sandercombe made his professional debut for County in a Football League Trophy game against Leyton Orient on 3 September 2007. County lost the game 1–0.  Only 22 days after that appearance, Sandercombe put pen to paper on a new contract at Meadow Lane.

On 14 August 2008, Sandercombe had his contract cancelled with Notts County by mutual consent.   After a spell in the Conference North with Stafford Rangers, he joined Mansfield Town on a one-year contract on 27 May 2009.

In February 2010, Sandercombe signed for Conference South club Weymouth until the end of the season and in March 2010 he started training with Exeter City  at their Cat & Fiddle training base just so he can keep his fitness levels up between Weymouth matches and the possibility of being used as cover for the Exeter City reserves on a non contract basis.

He signed a one-year deal for Conference North club Worcester City in July 2010.  In July 2011 Sandercombe signed for newly promoted Truro City  as a replacement for Martin Rice who returned to Torquay United.

Tom Brooks was released by Plymouth Argyle youth team and featured in several Truro City matches during the 2010/11 season.  Lee Hodges has also featured Brooks in the pre season friendlies.   



Debba Sidhu - first team goalkeeping coach.



Images from the Torquay Utd game (2 - 6)

Aaran Pugh



Rhod Mitchell interviewing Lee Hodges after the match.




Papped the papparazzi !




Copey !



An interesting selection of Torquay Utd forum posts

Below are an selection of forum postings from the TorquayFans site prior to the game starting today:

From Stefano

It is a critical time for Truro City at the crossroads of either pushing for the Football League or slipping away like Tiverton and Weymouth or worst of all over extending trying to succeed and slipping into oblivion like Newton Abbot and Dawlish Town. Heaney's involvement with the purchase of Plymouth Argyle is curious and it does make you wonder if he has a genuine interest in football or merely looks on it as a business opportunity. The plans for a new Stadium for Cornwall at Threemilestone will also be crucial as to which direction the club go, bearing in mind it was plans for a new Home Park and a World Cup bid that Argyle were over relying on and which pushed them to the brink.

I have played at Truro several times when they were leading members of the South Western League and it was a lovely ground to play at and a good atmosphere. Way back then in the late 60's and early 70's they regularly attracted crowds of over a 1000 (as indeed did Falmouth Town, Penzance, and St Blazey in the same league).

Mind you football was better supported then generally on the back of the feel good factor of winning the World Cup in 1966 and putting in a very creditable performance in the 1970 tournament. The Torbay Herald Cup final each Good Friday at Newton Abbot Recreation Ground used to attract crowds of over 3000 for the likes of Torquay United A v Kingsteignton Athletic, whilst at Plainmoor we averaged over 8000 for the first team in the old Division 3 (now League 1) and over 1000 for the reserves in the Western League.

Some notable Plainmoor attendance figures from that period to get Trojan filling up with nostalgia were 15660 v Argyle, 11707 v Bristol Rovers, 13072 v Swindon Town, 10693 v Bury, 11877 v Southport, 11427 v Luton Town, and 1137 reserves v Glastonbury.

Those were the days although I am looking forward to this season as much as I have ever looked forward to a season. I have liked what I have seen so far from our new manager and I feel that on balance we are stronger than last season and will again be in around the promotion places. Hopefully success will be reflected in the crowds who can be assured that unlike at the Memorial Stadium even in mid-winter they won't be getting wet.

FROM Royalgull

i saw a few of their games last season, in fact I'm sat wearing a Truro City polo shirt kindly donated.

A lot of ex league players, Lee Hodges has done very well and i expect them to be strong again. Heaney is a complete rogue and I do worry for the long term future of Truro. Lets just say you hear things about that club at times.

The Argyle involvement is just the land as I understand it, he's part of a consortium that has bought the stadium and surrounding area but sold the club off for a £1 so he is still in charge at Truro. You wonder what the motives are in it all.

Will be a tough game Saturday though, players in their ranks : Steve Adams (plays CB for them), Marcus Martin, Danny Clay, Andy Taylor, Les Afful, Barry Hayles, plus a few local lads that have done very well for them. They should do well in BSS next season but like I say I think this could be another Rushden/Gretna short term rise rather than anything really long term.

Ed Palmer signing will increase City's options

Source: Truro People, by Lee Hall LINK

TRURO City boss Lee Hodges believes the arrival of imposing Torquay United defender Ed Palmer will provide some much-needed competition for Steve Adams and Arran Pugh next season, writes Lee Hall.

Hodges returned to his former club last week with an approach for the 18-year-old, who has joined City on loan until January.

Palmer made his debut in Saturday's 4-2 friendly defeat to a Queens Park Rangers XI at Treyew Road (match report page 108).
And as well as looking assured alongside Adams, after replacing Pugh at half-time, Palmer marked his first game for City with a stunning goal.

But it will be the teenager's defensive qualities that Hodges believes will bolster his options at the back.
He said: "We've got Ed until January so that will give us great competition.

"We've got Steve Adams and Arran Pugh at centre half and they haven't really got much competition in there so we've brought Ed in to make sure they're on their toes.
"Ed's a good size, I know him well from my Torquay days and he's come on and done ever so well in pre-season for Torquay..

"We're really pleased that they've allowed us to take him."
Saturday's defeat means City have now conceded 12 goals in four games.
Hodges said: "Everyone likes to win matches, I hate losing games, but you don't lose anything for it at the moment.

"If that was at the start of the season then yes I would be a little concerned, but it's not, it's about finding your feet again and getting the right balance for when the season does start.
"When you're swapping six or seven players around here and there it makes a difference to the game."

Stephenson steps down

Source: West Briton - TruroPeople Link HERE

TRURO City general manager Andrew Stephenson, who joined the club at the beginning of June to help develop off-field activities at Treyew Road, has resigned from his post.

Mr Stephenson, who in Saturday's matchday programme for City's pre-season friendly against Queens Park Rangers invited supporters to 'be part of an exciting new era', quit at the end of last week.

Mr Stephenson was unavailable for comment yesterday, but Briton Sport understands one of the main reasons for his departure was what he saw as a continuing difficulty working with the set-up at the top of the club.

A number of issues had apparently arisen during Mr Stephenson's seven-week stay which are believed to have caused differences of opinion.

During his short tenure, Mr Stephenson had set in place a number of initiatives as the club prepare for their first season in the Blue Square Bet Conference South.
A new website was launched at the start of the month, and the availability of club merchandise was increased.

Mr Stephenson had also worked on a food and drink franchise, with a hospitality unit due to be set up. And he had started a promotional campaign with advertisements and sponsorship deals.
A spokesman for Truro City confirmed that Mr Stephenson resigned last Thursday but the club declined to make any further comment.

*********************************

TruroFans opinion:

In addition to any apparent differences of opinion there may have been with the management of the club, Stephenson also made life uncomfortable for himself after the Sheepgate affair, where he commented on the Tiger Talk forum and said himself that "Clearly most of the so called fans on this site are sheep".  More comments can be found via this LINK , but it was a rocky start with the fans that didn't help his cause either.  TruroFans wishes Mr Stephenson good luck in his new venture.

Plymouth Argyle friendly - Wed 27th July

Match report and limited images of the evening are below.  Pitchside photo's of the game at this level are restricted by the FA to official papparazzi so sadly TruroFans will not being showing any close-up images of the players.  Around 170 noisy Truro City supporters were in the Barn Park end and enjoyed a decent game of football on a stunning pitch, in balmy summer weather. Attendance was 2271.

After some dominating play and taking a 1 - 0 lead through Les Afful, some defensive lapses in concentration later allowed Argyle to cut us apart at the back.  New signing from Torquay, Ed Palmer looks promising, Tim Sandersombe in goal looked impressive, Jake Ash had an excellent game with Marcus through the middle and the four forwards all looked on top of their game.  After five friendly games, if there is one area that Truro Fans would recommend tightening up on, it is in defense.  Otherwise, tonight was a solid performance and the lads should be well proud.

MATCH REPORT FROM DAVE1975 from Tiger Talk:

"Hodges should be proud of the boys tonight. They all put a shift in and at times outplayed their league counterparts. What was most pleasing was the commitment the players showed to win the ball back and pass it well when we did have it. Barry Hayles was so good I heard an argyle fan say he wished they had signed him for the upcoming season. Hayles and watto made it a torrid game for the argyle back four. Hayles was out jumping the 6'2" centre backs every time and they struggled with watto's pace. Marcus was solid in midfield and Andy Taylor worked tirelessly. Les afful was tricky but held on to the ball too long at times. Jake played well as did the back four. Ed looked more assured and will be a good addition to the team. Aaron and steve have formed a strong partnership and that was evident again tonight. Baz made some good runs down the right but got caught a couple of times. Sandercombe was brilliant in goal and helped keep us in the game on a couple of occassions. All in all, a very good performance by the team. Well done! "

MATCH REPORT courtesy of thisisplymouth

Kevin Heaney in director's box story courtesy of Plymouth Herald, thisisplymouth

Official Argyle Match report

greensonscreen images Truro Fans images plus some action shots



Truro Fans before the match outside Home Park



Truro Fans in the Barn Park end



Reid reckons friendly against Truro will be a tough test for Argyle

Source: TruroPeople Link HERE

Manager Peter Reid has predicted Plymouth Argyle will face another competitive pre-season friendly when they host Truro City tonight (7.45pm).
The Pilgrims have been narrowly beaten in both of their previous games, which were against higher-level opposition.

They lost 3-2 to Championship club Bristol City on July 15, and then suffered a 1-0 defeat when Premier League newcomers Queen's Park Rangers visited Home Park last Wednesday.

Truro have been promoted five times in the last six seasons. Newly elevated to the Conference South, they are two divisions below Argyle in the football pyramid. Their experienced squad includes several former Plymouth players, including Steve Adams and Barry Hayles.

Their manager is Lee Hodges, a two-times promotion winner with Argyle. So Truro are bound to be well up for the challenge of taking on the Pilgrims, even in pre-season.
Reid said: "Whoever you play against, you try to get your priorities right. I want us to get the ball down and pass it, and when we haven't got it I want us to get it back.

"It's just the same whether you are playing Truro, Bristol City or Queen's Park Rangers. You want competitive games in pre-season, and Home Park is a really good pitch."

Truro were crowned the Southern League Premier Division champions in May. Reid said: "They had a fantastic season and deserve a lot of credit. The manager [Hodges] is inexperienced, but has done a tremendous job.

"It's a great game for us in terms of pre-season, against a team full of ex-pros. We've got some young lads who are gaining experience all the time so it should be a good match."
Defenders Durrell Berry (hip) and Curtis Nelson (ankle) are injury doubts for Argyle. With the new Football League campaign only ten days away, Reid will not take any risks on the pair's fitness. Berry had to sit out the game against QPR because of a hip injury which has troubled him for much of pre-season.

Trialist Gerard Kinsella, a 19-year-old former Everton midfielder, could also be absent tonight. He suffered a knee injury in training last week, and it has flared up again.
Argentinian winger Andres Gurrieri, 22, remains on trial with Argyle as talks about a possible move to Home Park continue to take place. Reid said: "We're hoping to tie something up with him. He has done well."

Three new trialists will get their first run-outs for the Pilgrims tonight. French striker Joseph Mendes and midfield pair Joe Holt and Conor Hourihane all started training with Argyle on Monday.

Reid has been encouraged by Argyle's pre-season to date, but he knows that what really matters is the result when Argyle go to Shrewsbury Town in their League Two opener on Saturday, August 6.
Reid said: "The players have done well and worked hard. I think they have enjoyed it – but the first League game of the season is the acid test."

Hodges was appointed as Truro's caretaker manager towards the end of the 2009-10 season, and then took over in a full-time capacity last summer. He said: "Home Park holds lots of happy memories for me, and I'm really looking forward to the game.

"I didn't think at any time I would be back there, sitting in the opposition dug-out." Ex-Argyle players Joe Broad, Marcus Martin, Dan Smith, Andy Watkins and Stewart Yetton are in City's squad, along with Hayles and Adams.

Josh Shepherd's goal in stoppage time kept alive Argyle's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup as they drew 1-1 with County Armagh in Ballymoney yesterday. Allan Evans' youngsters must beat Reading in today's game at Castlerock if they are to maintain their hopes of reaching the last four in the Junior section.

Pressure mounting on Kevin Heaney to answer Argyle fans

As reported in This is Plymouth today

The man at the centre of a secretive takeover deal for Plymouth Argyle is due in the club's directors' box on Wednesday.

Pressure is mounting on Truro City Football Club owner Kevin Heaney to speak out about the proposed £5million-plus deal.

continues:

LINK HERE

Truro City memorabilia in Cyprus

The image below has been sent to us from ex-pat Paul Skinner from Cyprus. The photo was taken in a small tavern in Cyprus. Kathikas is a small village between Paphos and Polis.  Interestingly it only has a few scarves but among them were Gosport Borough and west country teams including Swindon, Bristol Rovers, Bristol City, Exeter and Plymouth, plus a few other major clubs.  And of course Truro City. It would be interesting to know who put them there?

QPR Xl friendly in pictures, as it happened



New signing from Torquay, Ed Palmer, with Marcus and Jake




Barrington and Lee Hodges




Aaran Pugh and Lee




Barrington





Andy Watkins climbs high




Aaran using his height




Les Afful on the left wing




Andy Watkins strikes with his left peg.  The excellent QPR keeper blocked three strong shots from Andy





Barrington on the left wing flanked by Scott Walker




QPR First team player Leon Clarke faces Barrington and Les.  




Captain Jake




Jake and Marcus





Marcus shimmies away from QPR first team player Martin Rowlands



1024 Truro Fans gather for the QPR Xl friendly

What a fantastic day - bright sunshine and a thousand plus fans watching top football with Premiership names in Truro.  Some images below highlight some of the scenes today. Love it.

TCFC vs QPR XI - images for the QPR fans

As promised to the good number of travelling QPR fans, some images below of the game today. 



Leon Clarke, flanked by Barry Hayles.






Four Premiership players, past and present at Treyew Road. Lee Cook, Barry Hayles, Leon Clarke and Martin Rowlands.

 




Leon Clarke with Les Afful and Barry Hayles

 



Lee Cook




Martin Rowlands