Hi Everyone,
This is NOT something "official" from the club, but deadly serious for all that. It's an idea which I'm putting out personally, along with a pledge of my own to start the ball rolling.
With City having come "back from the dead," not once but twice, just over a month ago now, and having grown accustomed once more to the idea of regularly watching Conference football in Cornwall, it's perhaps easy to lose sight of the fact that the club's very survival is still hanging by a thread.
Similarly, assuming the best-case scenario and the eventual outcome that we all desire, we are looking at an even thinner thread when it comes to the standard of football we can realistically anticipate by the time next season comes round.
I'm not exactly giving away any secrets when I say that there will obviously be severe pressure on costs, at least for the short to medium term, while the club embarks on the business of getting onto a stable footing, in all respects.
Cut to the core and we're looking, inevitably, at a big question mark against the affordability of a squad a) of normal size and b) of the present quality. This is not least because we cannot realistically or fairly expect the present players' INCREDIBLE loyalty, in the face of all the recent and continuing financial restraints, to carry on forever.
So, assuming that at least the bulk of the present squad remain to the end of the current season (and even that is of course "a big ask"), I don't think it's a moment too soon to start looking ahead to the 2013-14 season and come up with some constructive suggestions.
More specifically, (working title coming up), let's kick off with a KEEP THEM HERE CAMPAIGN.
For what it's worth, here's my own proposal. First, let's assume 20 first team players for next season.
(Yes, I know that will have Lee googling words like "squad," "tactical substitutions," "resting players," and so on.)
And let's in turn think in terms of each of those 20 players having an individual sponsor. I'm suggesting that we're looking for 20 businesses or individuals who would commit to sponsoring a player to the tune of £50 per week.
It is no exaggeration, I submit, to say that this would make all the difference to the aim of having a good-quality, Conference-level squad here next season.
If my arithmetic is correct (and I did fail my GCE Maths), over the season as a whole, and especially if some sponsors chip in with more than my £50, we're talking £40,000 - £50,000 for the first team squad.
My business, Golden Replay Biographies, is tiny compared with many businesses out there who must have football-lovers / Truro City supporters among their directors/owners, to say nothing of maybe some retired individuals with healthy disposable income. But I will start this ball rolling by pledging to be one of those 20 player-sponsors, at £50 for my player, per week. Are there 19 more of you out there? There ARE, surely - aren't there???
Janet, my wife and business partner, thinks I've gone totally mad (but then again, she is a Man U fan and I'm Man City), and it did cause a fair bit of disharmony in the Truscott household (I'm not kidding) when I first floated this idea to her (translation: "told her I would be doing it").
But I also pointed out to her just how much Truro City, my involvement in it, and even more important the present standard of football seen at the club, means to me . . . to my quality of life, no less. And this is the whole point, isn't it? For a few horrible hours last month, we all had a taste of what it would be like without Our Boys, as we have come to know and love them. Pretty empty feeling, wasn't it?
So I'm airing this idea and putting my money where my mouth is. Essentially, each sponsor will do it for the love of it and because he/she feels passionately about Truro City and Conference-standard football in Cornwall. But there can also be a mini-package of tangible benefits in return, namely (I suggest) free admission and match programme at home games, half-time refreshments in the PFS Suite, free travel on the team coach to away matches, and the business or individual's name printed alongside the respective player in every home match programme. Plus for companies, of course, this will come under the heading of marketing and be a tax-deductible business expense.
I stress that a) this is entirely a personal proposal from Yours Truly, and b) my part in it all is simply to put the idea into the public domain and to pledge my participation in it if it comes about. I'm afraid I'm already stretched to the limit in terms of how much voluntary time I can give to the club. So if the envisaged scheme is a goer someone else will need to pick it up and run with it (but we can confidently anticipate a "proper" committee being set up to run the club on more conventional and sustainable lines if/when we have new owners post-administration).
And if someone else, even as I write, is already progressing such an idea, then that's wonderful - and I will still pledge to be involved at the level of £50 per week for one player.
Without putting too fine a point on it, I don't just think - I KNOW - that this scale of sponsorship support would make all the difference. Twenty businesses or individuals (or rather 19 after me). If you are potentially one of them, or know anyone who you believe fits the bill, and if, like me, you are passionate about KEEPING THE BOYS HERE, then I urge you to consider either being "up for this" yourself - or to work hard on anyone you know who is able and willing to support the club in this way. Just 19 more to make all the difference.
"No action required now." Let's just get these people identified, ready and in place, making themselves privately known to the powers-that-be (or publicly through me if you/they prefer) so that if and when this particular scheme is adopted, it can go ahead with all possible speed - AND KEEP ALIVE THE "CITY" WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE!!
MIKE TRUSCOTT, CITY ALERTS
28 November 2012
A rash of Non-League cancellations causes more than mere disruption
Written by Ian of 200% Link here > twohundredpercent
(article written with inferences to Truro City, Kettering Town and Histon).
The postponement of matches has become, in recent years, something of a rite of passage for any non-league football club on the point of financial collapse. It has become an apt metaphor for the state of a club – in such a desperate position that it is unable even to pay to get to an away match or raise a team – and its significance hasn’t, in previous years, been lost upon those that regulate the game, either. For football clubs that have lurched from crisis to crisis, this has proved to be point at which the banging of nails into its coffin lids. It had been considered that “failing to fulfil a fixture” was about as serious a crime as a football club could commit in the ordinary course of a season, a line in the sand which, if we may be permitted to mix our metaphors for a moment, also served as something of a line in the sand. It spelt, usually, if not quite the absolute end of a football club, then at least the beginning of its death throes.
This season, however, has seen something different. There doesn’t appear to have been a memo on the subject, but an increasing number of non-league clubs are finding that having matches called off is not quite the beginning of the end that it might previously have been. In the cases of both Kettering Town and Truro City, two clubs which had some to represent very different yet very similar degrees of basket-casery found that they could go for significant periods of time without matches and also, it would appear, without sanction. Truro City, of the Blue Square Bet South, went for three weeks without a match between the second and the twenty-third of October following their much-reported financial capers, while Kettering Town, of the Southern League Premier Division, managed even better than this, going from the sixth of October until the tenth of November without playing a single match.
It would be absurd, of course, to wish for the death of a football club. However, the question should, perhaps, be asked of how long leagues are willing to put up with the inconvenience of clubs having matches because of messes that they have got into themselves. Non-league football is a hand-to-mouth existence for most clubs that compete in it and match day revenues – either through what is paid at the turnstiles, taken behind the bar or at the food kiosk – and all clubs need that regular source of revenue throughout the season in order to ensure that they can continue to pay their players, which is without even getting into the small matter of the expenses that clubs might have to pay in order to be ready for a match to take place. In addition to this, the cancellation of matches for reasons such as those that we have seen so far this season distorts league tables. Teams can ill-afford to build-up any sort of fixture pile-up in the second half of a season when their players have other jobs that they have commitments to and, as we have seen over the last seven days, the weather can be unpredictable.
All of which brings us to the peculiar events at Histon a couple of weeks ago, when the club’s trip to Colwyn Bay was postponed after the club announced what seemed, on the surface, to be a somewhat familiar-looking non-league story of financial crisis, which had been exacerbated by it losing a court case against a former director. Something about this story, however, didn’t quite feel right. The clubs chairman was reported as being on holiday at the time of this trial and the club’s statement on the matter was vaguer than usually happens in such a situation. Whatever the situation had been at the club seemed by the following week, and their elimination from the FA Trophy did the club a favour when they were allowed to play Chester in a home league match. All of this, however, was no good to Colwyn Bay. They also had a free weekend that weekend, but the Chester match was allowed, for reasons best known to the Football Conference, to take precedence. Colwyn Bay, as a result of the cancellation of their match against Histon, were subjected to a six week long break without a home league match, with the Histon match now being scheduled for the middle of December.
It has even been suggested in some circles that the decision to announce that it couldn’t play at Colwyn Bay might have been a part of a brinkmanship on the part of the club in order to get debts owed to former directors written off. We have no way of knowing, of course, whether there is any truth in this, but if there is then the Football Conference must surely come down upon Histon like a ton of bricks. The revenue streams of another club have already been disrupted by whatever has been going on at The Glassworld Stadium over the last few weeks. Indeed, it might even be argued that the postponement of matches for financial difficulties should be met with the result awarded as a walk-over to the opposing club and, in the event that the club calling the match off is the away side is that which cannot put out a team – with a fine which is paid to the home side by way of compensation for the inconvenience caused for failing to meet this most basic of obligations.
We do not know whether there has been a switch of policy this season with regard to allowing clubs to not put out teams for matches. What we can say for certain, however, is that what was once the near-capital crime of failing to fulfil a fixture doesn’t seem to bringing the same level of punishment for clubs that break it this season, and that whether or not Histon were gaming the system, the apparent relaxation of sort of rules of this nature is only likely to make attempts to find loopholes more likely, whilst simultaneously punishing clubs that do run themselves prudently.
There can be no doubt that the pain in which Histon FC may or may not have found itself of late is entirely self-inflicted, a consequence of living way beyond its means, and that if any club deserves to suffer as a result of this, it should be that club which suffers these consequences than those drawn against them when financial push comes to financial shove. If the FA and the Football Conference wish to show themselves as serious about a trend that has clearly grown this season, then Histon will have to pay the price for whatever happened which led to the postponement of the match at Colwyn Bay.
You can follow Twohundredpercent on Twitter by clicking here.
(article written with inferences to Truro City, Kettering Town and Histon).
The postponement of matches has become, in recent years, something of a rite of passage for any non-league football club on the point of financial collapse. It has become an apt metaphor for the state of a club – in such a desperate position that it is unable even to pay to get to an away match or raise a team – and its significance hasn’t, in previous years, been lost upon those that regulate the game, either. For football clubs that have lurched from crisis to crisis, this has proved to be point at which the banging of nails into its coffin lids. It had been considered that “failing to fulfil a fixture” was about as serious a crime as a football club could commit in the ordinary course of a season, a line in the sand which, if we may be permitted to mix our metaphors for a moment, also served as something of a line in the sand. It spelt, usually, if not quite the absolute end of a football club, then at least the beginning of its death throes.
This season, however, has seen something different. There doesn’t appear to have been a memo on the subject, but an increasing number of non-league clubs are finding that having matches called off is not quite the beginning of the end that it might previously have been. In the cases of both Kettering Town and Truro City, two clubs which had some to represent very different yet very similar degrees of basket-casery found that they could go for significant periods of time without matches and also, it would appear, without sanction. Truro City, of the Blue Square Bet South, went for three weeks without a match between the second and the twenty-third of October following their much-reported financial capers, while Kettering Town, of the Southern League Premier Division, managed even better than this, going from the sixth of October until the tenth of November without playing a single match.
It would be absurd, of course, to wish for the death of a football club. However, the question should, perhaps, be asked of how long leagues are willing to put up with the inconvenience of clubs having matches because of messes that they have got into themselves. Non-league football is a hand-to-mouth existence for most clubs that compete in it and match day revenues – either through what is paid at the turnstiles, taken behind the bar or at the food kiosk – and all clubs need that regular source of revenue throughout the season in order to ensure that they can continue to pay their players, which is without even getting into the small matter of the expenses that clubs might have to pay in order to be ready for a match to take place. In addition to this, the cancellation of matches for reasons such as those that we have seen so far this season distorts league tables. Teams can ill-afford to build-up any sort of fixture pile-up in the second half of a season when their players have other jobs that they have commitments to and, as we have seen over the last seven days, the weather can be unpredictable.
All of which brings us to the peculiar events at Histon a couple of weeks ago, when the club’s trip to Colwyn Bay was postponed after the club announced what seemed, on the surface, to be a somewhat familiar-looking non-league story of financial crisis, which had been exacerbated by it losing a court case against a former director. Something about this story, however, didn’t quite feel right. The clubs chairman was reported as being on holiday at the time of this trial and the club’s statement on the matter was vaguer than usually happens in such a situation. Whatever the situation had been at the club seemed by the following week, and their elimination from the FA Trophy did the club a favour when they were allowed to play Chester in a home league match. All of this, however, was no good to Colwyn Bay. They also had a free weekend that weekend, but the Chester match was allowed, for reasons best known to the Football Conference, to take precedence. Colwyn Bay, as a result of the cancellation of their match against Histon, were subjected to a six week long break without a home league match, with the Histon match now being scheduled for the middle of December.
It has even been suggested in some circles that the decision to announce that it couldn’t play at Colwyn Bay might have been a part of a brinkmanship on the part of the club in order to get debts owed to former directors written off. We have no way of knowing, of course, whether there is any truth in this, but if there is then the Football Conference must surely come down upon Histon like a ton of bricks. The revenue streams of another club have already been disrupted by whatever has been going on at The Glassworld Stadium over the last few weeks. Indeed, it might even be argued that the postponement of matches for financial difficulties should be met with the result awarded as a walk-over to the opposing club and, in the event that the club calling the match off is the away side is that which cannot put out a team – with a fine which is paid to the home side by way of compensation for the inconvenience caused for failing to meet this most basic of obligations.
We do not know whether there has been a switch of policy this season with regard to allowing clubs to not put out teams for matches. What we can say for certain, however, is that what was once the near-capital crime of failing to fulfil a fixture doesn’t seem to bringing the same level of punishment for clubs that break it this season, and that whether or not Histon were gaming the system, the apparent relaxation of sort of rules of this nature is only likely to make attempts to find loopholes more likely, whilst simultaneously punishing clubs that do run themselves prudently.
There can be no doubt that the pain in which Histon FC may or may not have found itself of late is entirely self-inflicted, a consequence of living way beyond its means, and that if any club deserves to suffer as a result of this, it should be that club which suffers these consequences than those drawn against them when financial push comes to financial shove. If the FA and the Football Conference wish to show themselves as serious about a trend that has clearly grown this season, then Histon will have to pay the price for whatever happened which led to the postponement of the match at Colwyn Bay.
You can follow Twohundredpercent on Twitter by clicking here.
26 November 2012
Dover match cancelled
To confirm that the Dover match on Tuesday 27th November has been cancelled due to water-logged pitch. The game will now be played on Tuesday 4th December at 7pm. (weather permitting of course).
City Alerts - Mike Truscott - Monday am 26th Nov.
PREVIEW - City v Dover Athletic tomorrow, Tuesday, November 27, k/o 7 pm.
PITCH flooded on Friday and Saturday. Slight improvement yesterday. Rain falling as I write this (as if you needed telling) and forecast is for showers slowly easing later today/tonight and drier tomorrow. Dover party flight down scheduled for tomorrow morning, so arrangements have been made for a local referee to inspect for final decision early tomorrow.
My cut-off point is 8.30 am - I have to set off early for rest of day away from base, and so after that time I will not be available for a City Alert. Lee knows this and there is a contingency in place if the decision is made after that time. Basically, keep a close eye on TigerTalk and the Truro Fans website during the day.
If the Dover match does go ahead, the squad will be unchanged - Luke McCormick, Calron Hall, Jake Ash, Lee Hodges, Ben Williams, Joe Broad, Marcus Martin, Cody Cooke, Les Afful, Andy Watkins, Kieffer Moore, Bobby Hopkinson, Danny Carne - plus probably Todd Hanrahan from Ivybridge.
Forecast positively brilliant for rest of week, by comparison, so on current projection there should be no problem for this Saturday's fixture, at HOME TO TONBRIDGE ANGELS, kick-off 3 pm.
EASTLEIGH AWAY fixture rearranged for Tuesday, December 11, 7.45 pm.
Mike Truscott
PITCH flooded on Friday and Saturday. Slight improvement yesterday. Rain falling as I write this (as if you needed telling) and forecast is for showers slowly easing later today/tonight and drier tomorrow. Dover party flight down scheduled for tomorrow morning, so arrangements have been made for a local referee to inspect for final decision early tomorrow.
My cut-off point is 8.30 am - I have to set off early for rest of day away from base, and so after that time I will not be available for a City Alert. Lee knows this and there is a contingency in place if the decision is made after that time. Basically, keep a close eye on TigerTalk and the Truro Fans website during the day.
If the Dover match does go ahead, the squad will be unchanged - Luke McCormick, Calron Hall, Jake Ash, Lee Hodges, Ben Williams, Joe Broad, Marcus Martin, Cody Cooke, Les Afful, Andy Watkins, Kieffer Moore, Bobby Hopkinson, Danny Carne - plus probably Todd Hanrahan from Ivybridge.
Forecast positively brilliant for rest of week, by comparison, so on current projection there should be no problem for this Saturday's fixture, at HOME TO TONBRIDGE ANGELS, kick-off 3 pm.
EASTLEIGH AWAY fixture rearranged for Tuesday, December 11, 7.45 pm.
Mike Truscott
23 November 2012
Dave Newton's successor announced
Lee Hodges has appointed Martin Jones, of Torpoint, as successor to Dave Newton, who has retired from the post of assistant manager and coach. Martin is well-known in South West youth coaching circles and also has current coaching links with Premier League club Sunderland.
Lee first got to know him during his own playing days at Plymouth Argyle, when Martin, now in his early 40s, was coaching the club's youth section.
"We have stayed in touch ever since and become good friends," says Lee. "He has worked with Newts at Plymouth and has now agreed to help out Truro for nothing until the end of the season.
"I am delighted to have Martin on board and I am sure we will work very well together and he'll be good for the lads. He is very well known as a coach at lots of schools in the region and welcomes the opportunity now to assist at a more senior level. He also has a lot of good contacts in the game, which will be a bonus."
Mike Truscott
Lee first got to know him during his own playing days at Plymouth Argyle, when Martin, now in his early 40s, was coaching the club's youth section.
"We have stayed in touch ever since and become good friends," says Lee. "He has worked with Newts at Plymouth and has now agreed to help out Truro for nothing until the end of the season.
"I am delighted to have Martin on board and I am sure we will work very well together and he'll be good for the lads. He is very well known as a coach at lots of schools in the region and welcomes the opportunity now to assist at a more senior level. He also has a lot of good contacts in the game, which will be a bonus."
Mike Truscott
Home form is key to survival says Hodges
By Rhod Mitchell West Briton
TRURO City return to Treyew Road for the first time for almost a month on Tuesday evening when Dover Athletic
are the visitors.
And supporters should note that the game kicks off at the earlier than normal time of 7pm to fit in with the Kent side's travel arrangements as they are chartering a plane for the game.
The match should have been played back in October, but was postponed amidst the financial crisis which threatened to spell the end of the club.
Pivotal:
It is the first of two successive home games for City who have four matches at Treyew Road in December in what could be a pivotal month in the club's desperate battle to stay in Blue Square South.
After Tuesday's trip to Eastleigh was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at the Silverlake Stadium, manager Lee Hodges was due to put his side through a "hard" training session this evening in preparation for the Dover game.
Again he will have to rely on the squad of 13, which was unlucky to come away from Eastbourne Borough on Saturday without anything to show for their efforts as they lost 1-0.
Ivybridge's Todd Hanrahan could also be involved, while Martin Watts will continue to be assessed as he makes his return from a long term injury.
Controversial keeper Luke McCormick continues in goal following the surprise departure last week of Tim Sandercombe.
Another familiar face on the Truro bench will also be missing, after popular first team coach Dave Newton decided to step down after the Eastbourne game to spend more time with his family.
His departure will leave a big gap in the City backroom staff but Hodges was hoping to get a replacement in time for training tonight.
And he paid tribute to the contribution of Newton, who was also a former City manager.
"To say I will miss Newts is a massive understatement. He is a very special coach and we had a special relationship. All the players respected him."
Hodges is looking forward to the Dover game and is just hoping his side gets the rub of the green and that their play gets its just rewards.
"It is nice to have a home match and we have got to make them count," he said.
"They are key if we are going to stay in this division.
"But Dover are a good team and we will have to be at our best if we are to get something from the match."
Rock bottom City are 13 points away from safety and it is crucial they start to pick up some points if their cause is not to become hopeless.
And a good result on Tuesday evening would be the perfect way to end another unsettling month.
TRURO City return to Treyew Road for the first time for almost a month on Tuesday evening when Dover Athletic
are the visitors.And supporters
should note that the game kicks off at the earlier than normal time of 7pm to fit in with the Kent side's travel arrangements as they are chartering a plane for the game.The match should have been played back in October, but was postponed amidst the financial crisis which threatened to spell the end of the club.
Pivotal:
It is the first of two successive home games for City who have four matches at Treyew Road in December in what could be a pivotal month in the club's desperate battle to stay in Blue Square South.
After Tuesday's trip to Eastleigh was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at the Silverlake Stadium, manager Lee Hodges was due to put his side through a "hard" training session this evening in preparation for the Dover game.
Again he will have to rely on the squad of 13, which was unlucky to come away from Eastbourne Borough on Saturday without anything to show for their efforts as they lost 1-0.
Ivybridge's Todd Hanrahan could also be involved, while Martin Watts will continue to be assessed as he makes his return from a long term injury.
Controversial keeper Luke McCormick continues in goal following the surprise departure last week of Tim Sandercombe.
Another familiar face on the Truro bench will also be missing, after popular first team coach Dave Newton decided to step down after the Eastbourne game
to spend more time with his family.His departure will leave a big gap in the City backroom staff but Hodges was hoping to get a replacement in time for training tonight.
And he paid tribute to the contribution of Newton, who was also a former City manager.
"To say I will miss Newts is a massive understatement. He is a very special coach and we had a special relationship. All the players respected him."
Hodges is looking forward to the Dover game and is just hoping his side gets the rub of the green and that their play gets its just rewards.
"It is nice to have a home match and we have got to make them count," he said.
"They are key if we are going to stay in this division.
"But Dover are a good team and we will have to be at our best if we are to get something from the match."
Rock bottom City are 13 points away from safety and it is crucial they start to pick up some points if their cause is not to become hopeless.
And a good result on Tuesday evening would be the perfect way to end another unsettling month.
20 November 2012
Eastleigh expects as Spitfires host Tigers
by Robert
Butler
RICHARD HILL’S Eastleigh will climb to fourth place in the Blue Square South if they overcome basement boys Truro City at the Silverlake Stadium.
The Spitfires have won their last five home matches, and will see themselves as red-hot favourites to overcome cash-strapped Truro. The Cornish side have lost their previous five away encounters including a 8-0 romping by Maidenhead and a heavy 4-1 defeat to Farnborough.
The sides were originally due to meet in October but off
the field problems, including a winding up order, meant the fixture had to be
postponed.
The White Tigers narrowly avoided extinction when a joint
bid from two local businessmen was finally accepted hours after news broke of
City’s expulsion from The Football Conference.
That decision was reversed and now the club, joint owned by
local taxi-firm and nightclub owners, can now carry on their season and begin a
long rebuilding process.
 |
| A sign of the close bond the fans share |
Despite Hill’s men being unbeatable at home the Spitfires
have consistently stalled away from Fortress Silverlake.
The side tipped for promotion were defeated 1-0 defeat by
relegation threatened Hornchurch Saturday, in the latest of substandard away
performances.
Like their hosts Truro also come into the game on the back
of an away defeat. City made the 600 mile round trip to Eastbourne and were
defeated 1-0, just like Eastleigh were three weeks ago.
Neither side have any suspension issues to deal with and
Truro have confirmed their squad will be the same as Saturday’s; Luke
McCormick, Cairon Hall, Jake Ash, Lee Hodges, Ben Williams, Joe Broad, Marcus
Martin, Cody Cooke, Les Afful, Andy Watkins, Kieffer Moore, Bobby Hopkinson,
Danny Carne
Eastleigh FC V Truro City,
The Silverlake Stadium, Tuesday 20th November
7.45 PM
19 November 2012
Dave Newton quits - City Alerts Monday 19th Nov
NEWTS QUITS . . . TIM SANDERCOMBE CLARIFICATION
By Mike Truscott
Assistant Manager DAVE NEWTON announced to the players on the coach back from Eastbourne on Saturday that he is retiring from the game with immediate effect. Player-manager Lee Hodges told City Alerts: "He's 62 now and the long away trips in particular were just becoming too tiring for him. He wants to spend more time with his grandchildren. He loves the players and everyone involved in the club but the journeys have been taking their toll.
"I am absolutely distraught and I know all the boys will feel exactly the same. He's a very special guy and I'm gutted that he's gone. Having him as my right hand man was one of the reasons I was glad to take on my job as player-manager. We worked together brilliantly.
"I have done my best to persuade him to change his mind, but he is adamant that he wants to spend more time with his grandchildren. He's still working as a football coach in South Devon College in Paignton. He was going to retire from Truro at the end of the season anyway, but it's all just become a bit too draining for him. I urged him to at least come to the next home game, against Dover, so that everyone could give him a good send-off, but he won't even be doing that. That's the sort of guy he is. You hear him from the touchline all right, but off the field he's much quieter and more reserved.
"He's a terrific guy and a great coach. He just makes coaching look so easy. He's been with the club for a number of years, of course, and he was telling me that in one spell as manager he won 33 games out of 36 and got the sack!
"I will be on my own for the time-being, but I am looking to bring someone in to take over in his role. My problem is that I want and need to play at the moment, but I can't really do that if I've got no-one on the line to take over from me. Newts' best replacements are already at the club - Jake Ash and Stewart Yetton - but they are still young and playing. So I will have to bring someone in."
Lee on TIM SANDERCOMBE tweeting that he is "no longer a Truro City player" and is "redundant:" "I'm disappointed with his tweets. I did not want Tim to leave; no-one has forced him to leave the club. I had a chat with him, but it seems he has taken advice from his agent which has led to this situation.
"I had to make it clear to Tim that I am the manager and that there was no way I could agree to what he was demanding. It was nothing to do with money and I stress that no-one forced him to leave; I wanted him to stay. He is still not fit. He has had problems with his knees and I wanted him to strengthen those legs and be playing for us again, but not on the condition he was demanding."
NO FRESH INJURIES. Lee takes same 13-man squad to Eastleigh for tomorrow night's League fixture, kick-off 7.45 pm: Luke McCormick, Calron Hall, Jake Ash, Lee Hodges, Ben Williams, Joe Broad, Marcus Martin, Cody Cooke, Les Afful, Andy Watkins, Kieffer Moore, Bobby Hopkinson, Danny Carne.
LEE'S VIEW on Eastbourne Borough 1 Truro City 0
"It was another really good performance by the boys. I felt we were strong right through the match and I really thought we were going to get something from the game; we certainly deserved to.
"It was a mad moment in the second half, with sloppy defence, that cost us the match. We just switched off and you can't do that. It's about marking your man with the mindset that no matter what it takes your man is not going to score. Overall, though, I thought our work rate and desire to get something from the game were just fantastic; I couldn't have asked for more in this respect.
"We had a few chances and I'm convinced we should have had a penalty. Andy Watkins lobbed the keeper, but the keeper took him out and anywhere else on the field it would have been a free-kick. To give a goal-kick instead was disgraceful."
NEXT FIXTURES (all League): Tues, Nov 20, away to Eastleigh, 7.45 pm; Tues, Nov 27, home to Dover Athletic, NB kick-off 7 pm; Sat, Dec 1, home to Tonbridge Angels, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 8, away to Boreham Wood, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 15, home to Maidenhead United, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 22, away to Salisbury 3 pm; Wed, Dec 26, home to Dorchester; Sat, Dec 29, home to Weston-Super-Mare, 3 pm; Tues, Jan 1, away to Dorchester, 3 pm.Two SUNDAY INDEPENDENT columns from yesterday attached.
By Mike Truscott
Assistant Manager DAVE NEWTON announced to the players on the coach back from Eastbourne on Saturday that he is retiring from the game with immediate effect. Player-manager Lee Hodges told City Alerts: "He's 62 now and the long away trips in particular were just becoming too tiring for him. He wants to spend more time with his grandchildren. He loves the players and everyone involved in the club but the journeys have been taking their toll.
"I am absolutely distraught and I know all the boys will feel exactly the same. He's a very special guy and I'm gutted that he's gone. Having him as my right hand man was one of the reasons I was glad to take on my job as player-manager. We worked together brilliantly.
"I have done my best to persuade him to change his mind, but he is adamant that he wants to spend more time with his grandchildren. He's still working as a football coach in South Devon College in Paignton. He was going to retire from Truro at the end of the season anyway, but it's all just become a bit too draining for him. I urged him to at least come to the next home game, against Dover, so that everyone could give him a good send-off, but he won't even be doing that. That's the sort of guy he is. You hear him from the touchline all right, but off the field he's much quieter and more reserved.
"He's a terrific guy and a great coach. He just makes coaching look so easy. He's been with the club for a number of years, of course, and he was telling me that in one spell as manager he won 33 games out of 36 and got the sack!
"I will be on my own for the time-being, but I am looking to bring someone in to take over in his role. My problem is that I want and need to play at the moment, but I can't really do that if I've got no-one on the line to take over from me. Newts' best replacements are already at the club - Jake Ash and Stewart Yetton - but they are still young and playing. So I will have to bring someone in."
Lee on TIM SANDERCOMBE tweeting that he is "no longer a Truro City player" and is "redundant:" "I'm disappointed with his tweets. I did not want Tim to leave; no-one has forced him to leave the club. I had a chat with him, but it seems he has taken advice from his agent which has led to this situation.
"I had to make it clear to Tim that I am the manager and that there was no way I could agree to what he was demanding. It was nothing to do with money and I stress that no-one forced him to leave; I wanted him to stay. He is still not fit. He has had problems with his knees and I wanted him to strengthen those legs and be playing for us again, but not on the condition he was demanding."
NO FRESH INJURIES. Lee takes same 13-man squad to Eastleigh for tomorrow night's League fixture, kick-off 7.45 pm: Luke McCormick, Calron Hall, Jake Ash, Lee Hodges, Ben Williams, Joe Broad, Marcus Martin, Cody Cooke, Les Afful, Andy Watkins, Kieffer Moore, Bobby Hopkinson, Danny Carne.
LEE'S VIEW on Eastbourne Borough 1 Truro City 0
"It was another really good performance by the boys. I felt we were strong right through the match and I really thought we were going to get something from the game; we certainly deserved to.
"It was a mad moment in the second half, with sloppy defence, that cost us the match. We just switched off and you can't do that. It's about marking your man with the mindset that no matter what it takes your man is not going to score. Overall, though, I thought our work rate and desire to get something from the game were just fantastic; I couldn't have asked for more in this respect.
"We had a few chances and I'm convinced we should have had a penalty. Andy Watkins lobbed the keeper, but the keeper took him out and anywhere else on the field it would have been a free-kick. To give a goal-kick instead was disgraceful."
NEXT FIXTURES (all League): Tues, Nov 20, away to Eastleigh, 7.45 pm; Tues, Nov 27, home to Dover Athletic, NB kick-off 7 pm; Sat, Dec 1, home to Tonbridge Angels, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 8, away to Boreham Wood, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 15, home to Maidenhead United, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 22, away to Salisbury 3 pm; Wed, Dec 26, home to Dorchester; Sat, Dec 29, home to Weston-Super-Mare, 3 pm; Tues, Jan 1, away to Dorchester, 3 pm.Two SUNDAY INDEPENDENT columns from yesterday attached.
Rowe On Target As Boro Beat City - Eastbourne match report
Eastbourne Borough again created enough chances to win several games but a second half header from Ollie Rowe was enough for all three points.
Boro boss Tommy Widdrington gave debuts to new striker Elliot Charles and loan keeper Craig Ross. Both would have more than competent games as The Sports created chance after chance, especially in the first half, but ultimately had to scrap for the win.
Simon Johnson had an early chance to open the scoring when Luke McCormick in the Truro goal dropped a cross but under pressure he struck wide, and Chris Shephards fine effort struck the keepers bar on 5 minutes. Boro continued to press, Sam Cole and Rowe had half chances and Gary Hart drove a long range effort straight at McCormick on the half hour.
Boro could not force home the territorial and possession advantage but Ross was called upon to make a fabulous save on the stroke of half time, Kieffer Moore also threatening in the closing seconds.
As the second half got under way Boro finally got the goal they deserved. A Shephard free kick was perfectly delivered from wide left, and Rowe was head and shoulders above the rest of the field to firmly plant home his header for 1-0.
The trick was almost repeated 2 minutes later but this time, under greater pressure Rowe headed over. With the lead taken by the home side City began to work hard for an equaliser. Their direct approach, with position up the park, ball on or off the field important, Andy Watkins smashed the ball high over the bar on the hour and Adam Watts was forced to head off the line as a lobbed effort threatened to level the scores.
On 74 minutes Boro looked to have extended their lead. A quick break saw the energetic Charles surge forward, his shot from inside the box parried by McCormick, Kezie Ine bundling the ball home, but the linesman's flag was inexplicably raised for off-side - one of several strange 'decisions' on the day.
Truro had much of the ball for the remainder of the game, but only Cody Cooke tested Ross and the points never looked in danger.
"To score from a set piece is always a pleasure" commented Widdrington, "and Ollie Rowe was probably our best player. I'm delighted with the 3 points. Ive got nothing but praise for Truro City and Lee Hodges. I know they are in a bit of a financial mess but all that goes out the window on a Saturday."
Borough: Ross, Johnson, Cole, Adelsbury, Rowe, Watts, Hart, Gorman (Uddin 89), Ibe (Lok 75), Charles (Remy 75), Shephard
Unused Subs: Hamilton, Noone
Cards: Hart Y, Adelsbury Y, Remy Y
Goals: Rowe (56)
Truro City: McCormick, Hopkinson, Williams, Hodges, Ash, Broad, Cooke, Martin, Watkins, Moore, Afful
Unused Subs: Carne, Hall
Cards:
Goals:
Ref: Mr. p. Harris
Att: 514
LMDB Accountants MOM: Ollie Rowe
Simon Johnson had an early chance to open the scoring when Luke McCormick in the Truro goal dropped a cross but under pressure he struck wide, and Chris Shephards fine effort struck the keepers bar on 5 minutes. Boro continued to press, Sam Cole and Rowe had half chances and Gary Hart drove a long range effort straight at McCormick on the half hour.
Boro could not force home the territorial and possession advantage but Ross was called upon to make a fabulous save on the stroke of half time, Kieffer Moore also threatening in the closing seconds.
As the second half got under way Boro finally got the goal they deserved. A Shephard free kick was perfectly delivered from wide left, and Rowe was head and shoulders above the rest of the field to firmly plant home his header for 1-0.
The trick was almost repeated 2 minutes later but this time, under greater pressure Rowe headed over. With the lead taken by the home side City began to work hard for an equaliser. Their direct approach, with position up the park, ball on or off the field important, Andy Watkins smashed the ball high over the bar on the hour and Adam Watts was forced to head off the line as a lobbed effort threatened to level the scores.
On 74 minutes Boro looked to have extended their lead. A quick break saw the energetic Charles surge forward, his shot from inside the box parried by McCormick, Kezie Ine bundling the ball home, but the linesman's flag was inexplicably raised for off-side - one of several strange 'decisions' on the day.
Truro had much of the ball for the remainder of the game, but only Cody Cooke tested Ross and the points never looked in danger.
"To score from a set piece is always a pleasure" commented Widdrington, "and Ollie Rowe was probably our best player. I'm delighted with the 3 points. Ive got nothing but praise for Truro City and Lee Hodges. I know they are in a bit of a financial mess but all that goes out the window on a Saturday."
Borough: Ross, Johnson, Cole, Adelsbury, Rowe, Watts, Hart, Gorman (Uddin 89), Ibe (Lok 75), Charles (Remy 75), Shephard
Unused Subs: Hamilton, Noone
Cards: Hart Y, Adelsbury Y, Remy Y
Goals: Rowe (56)
Truro City: McCormick, Hopkinson, Williams, Hodges, Ash, Broad, Cooke, Martin, Watkins, Moore, Afful
Unused Subs: Carne, Hall
Cards:
Goals:
Ref: Mr. p. Harris
Att: 514
LMDB Accountants MOM: Ollie Rowe
18 November 2012
City pay price for sloppy defending
Eastbourne Borough 1 Truro City 0
By Rhod Mitchell - West Briton
City boss Lee Hodges blamed a "mad minute" of defending for his side's Blue Square Bet South defeat at Priory Lane.
City switched off at free-kick allowing home skipper Ollie Rowe a free header for the central defender's first goal of the season.
It proved to be the game's only goal leaving City frustrated at making the long journey back from East Sussex empty-handed after being the better side for much of the game.
Hodges said: "We played really well again, but conceded a sloppy goal giving their lad a free header.
"After we went behind we had waves on waves of attack but just could not find a goal. Again I thought we played ever so well."
Hodges made one change from the side that lost at Farnborough in the FA Trophy bringing himself into central defence in place of Calron Hall, who dropped to the bench, alongside Danny Carne, as City again travelled with a squad of just 13.
In the first half the visitors thought they should have had penalty when Andy Watkins appeared to be brought down by Eastbourne keeper Craig Ross, but the referee turned down their strong appeals.
After going a goal down, City did everything but score with Watkins and Kieffer Moore both unlucky not to equalise.
It was another frustrating day for City and they will be hoping for better luck on Tuesday evening when they travel to play Eastleigh.
City: McCormick; Hopkinson, Hodges, Ash, Williams; Cooke, Martin, Broad, Afful; Watkins, Moore. Subs (not used): Hall, Carne.
Yellow cards: Broad, Martin.
Goal: Rowe (56) 1-0.
By Rhod Mitchell - West Briton
City boss Lee Hodges blamed a "mad minute" of defending for his side's Blue Square Bet South defeat at Priory Lane.
 |
| Image: courtesy www.ebfc.co.uk |
of the season.It proved to be the game's
only goal leaving City frustrated at making the long journey back from East Sussex empty-handed after being the better side for much of the game.Hodges said: "We played really well again, but conceded a sloppy goal giving their lad a free header.
"After we went behind we had waves on waves of attack but just could not find a goal. Again I thought we played ever so well."
Hodges made one change from the side that lost at Farnborough in the FA Trophy bringing himself into central defence in place of Calron Hall, who dropped to the bench, alongside Danny Carne, as City again travelled with a squad of just 13.
In the first half the visitors thought they should have had penalty when Andy Watkins appeared to be brought down by Eastbourne keeper Craig Ross, but the referee turned down their strong
appeals.After going a goal down, City did everything but score with Watkins and Kieffer Moore both unlucky not to equalise.
It was another frustrating day for City and they will be hoping for better luck on Tuesday evening when they travel
to play Eastleigh.City: McCormick; Hopkinson, Hodges, Ash, Williams; Cooke, Martin, Broad, Afful; Watkins, Moore. Subs (not used): Hall, Carne.
Yellow cards: Broad, Martin.
Goal: Rowe (56) 1-0.
17 November 2012
Lee Hodges still looking to bolster squad - BBC Sport
Truro City
boss Lee Hodges says he is still actively looking to bolster his squad as they
prepare to face Eastbourne Borough.
Lee Hodges will take just a 13-man squad to the game because of injuries and a transfer embargo.
"I'm actively looking," Hodges told BBC Cornwall. "I'm going to look at local league games because that's where we're having to go at the moment.
"I'm not going to bring people in willy nilly, it must be the right person."
Former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick keeps his place in the squad after joining on non-contract terms last week.
"The mood's OK at the moment," Hodges continued.
"We're all hoping a deal will be done very soon to help us move forward and get one or two players in to start being more competitive in the league.
"We're bottom of the league and we're going to be fighting extremely hard to close that gap as soon as possible.
"We know that with a few more bodies that we can compete with anyone in this league and we have for the most of it."
**********************
Meanwhile, Tim Sandercombe has confirmed on his own Twitter page that "he is no longer a City player". Sad news indeed as Tim has been loyal to the Club throughout the recent turmoil. The Administrators will no doubt have made the decision and presumably cashflow is the key factor. Survival is paramount though and tough decisions are being made. TruroFans wishes another decent player in Tim best wishes for his recovery and future.
15 November 2012
"I'm owed £1m" says girlfriend of City's former Chairman
Source West Briton LINK
THE girlfriend of Truro City Football Club's bankrupt former chairman claims it owes her more than £1 million – but refused to say why.
Football Club's bankrupt former chairman claims it owes her more than £1 million – but refused to say why.
The West Briton spoke with Kevin Heaney's partner Julia Sincock at a meeting for creditors of the club at Treyew Road on Friday.
for creditors of the club at Treyew Road on Friday.
Other creditors expressed anger at having to chase the club for alleged debts.
But six years ago Ms Sincock was an accounts technician at Walker Moyle at Redruth earning just £15,000 a year.
technician at Walker Moyle at Redruth earning just £15,000 a year.
After the meeting, attended by the West Briton, 30-year-old Ms Sincock, also known as Yulia, refused to comment on why she had put in a claim for £1,006,180 and then left in a large sports utility vehicle.
vehicle.
Director:
The West Briton can also reveal that on September 20 Ms Sincock was appointed as director of a company Dilby, which has also put in a claim for £100,000. Mr Heaney was a director of that company until August 3rd.
A company called Cornish Properties Ltd has also put in a claim for £355,083. Mr Heaney's position as director at that firm ended on August 3 and Ms Sincock was made director on September 18. The company was wound up at Truro County Court on October 3rd.
Mr Heaney, the property developer who brought unprecedented success to Truro City, was made bankrupt on August 24 and stood down as chairman of the club.
The total claims against Truro City from 77 creditors add up to nearly £4 million, including a claim for £1.5 million from "wealth management" company BCK. It declined to comment.
The West Briton gained exclusive access to the meeting as it has put in a claim for more than £6,000 allegedly owed by the football club for advertisements.
Mark Woolcock, brought in and dismissed as chief executive at the club this summer, claimed: "I was brought in to provide financial and organisational stability for the club and I was not allowed to do that.
, claimed: "I was brought in to provide financial and organisational stability for the club and I was not allowed to do that.
"The club would not have got where they have got without Kevin Heaney but it's a shame it has had to end this way."
The meeting heard administrators were still in talks regarding the sale of the club and the new owners would negotiate agreements with creditors.
Two more tough away tests for Hodges
Source Western Morning News LINK
After yet another eventful week in their recent history, Truro City face two long and difficult away trips within the space of four days.
City’s fully-stretched squad must travel to play Sussex side Eastbourne Borough on Saturday and then Hampshire outfit Eastleigh next Tuesday in two demanding Blue Square Set South fixtures.
to play Sussex side Eastbourne Borough on Saturday and then Hampshire outfit Eastleigh next Tuesday in two demanding Blue Square Set South fixtures.
Manager Lee Hodges expects to travel with the squad of 13 which lost 3-2 in an FA Carlsberg Trophy tie at Farnborough last Saturday, meaning further games for former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick, who made his City debut at Farnborough.
for former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick, who made his City debut at Farnborough.
Asked about McCormick’s debut, Hodges said: “He played very well and made some good saves.” Regular goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe is likely to be out for several more weeks with a knee injury, while top scorer Stewart Yetton is recovering from a knee injury.
Midfielder Martin Watts continued his comeback after more than a year out, with City’s reserves in Tuesday’s 5-2 Carlsberg South West Peninsula League home defeat to St Dennis, but is not yet ready for a return to first-team action.
The club’s continuing transfer embargo means bringing in any players is very difficult, so Hodges does not envisage any additions to the squad. He said: “Any points we get from the two games will be a bonus, but the squad are all working hard and up for the challenge.”
.”
City are anchored at the foot of the Blue Square South table after their ten-point deduction for going into administration But Hodges believes that, if they can get within a handful of points of safety by Christmas, they will have a chance of staging a great escape.
“It is a very difficult situation,” Hodges said. “I don’t have the chance to rest players or freshen things up and it all takes its toll.” City will come up against one of their former players, Ben Adlesbury, at Eastbourne on Saturday.
or freshen things up and it all takes its toll.” City will come up against one of their former players, Ben Adlesbury, at Eastbourne on Saturday.City Alerts - Dover Athletic update
DOVER DATE.
Confirming that our next home fixture is unchanged - versus Dover Athletic on Tuesday, November 27, NB kick-off 7 pm to accommodate the Dover party's flight arrangements. With both teams knocked out of the FA Trophy, it had been anticipated that the fixture would be brought forward to Saturday, November 24, which is now a rare blank day for the first team.
Dover lost their FA Trophy replay at home to Chelmsford City 4-2 on Tuesday. For our part, as reported in today's West Briton, we will NOT NOW BE APPEALING to the FA about the partial floodlight failure that contributed to our 3-2 Trophy defeat at Farnborough last Saturday.
NEXT FIXTURES:
This Saturday, 3 pm, away to Eastbourne Borough; Tues, Nov 20, away to Eastleigh, 7.45 pm; Tues, Nov 27, home to Dover Athletic, NB kick-off 7 pm; Sat, Dec 1, home to Tonbridge Angels, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 8, away to Boreham Wood, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 15, home to Maidenhead United, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 22, away to Salisbury 3 pm; Wed, Dec 26, home to Dorchester; Sat, Dec 29, home to Weston-Super-Mare, 3 pm; Tues, Jan 1, away to Dorchester, 3 pm.
300 UP!
City Alerts now has 300 subscribers, with new ones still coming in every day or two. The milestone was passed on Tuesday this week, with a total of 31 additions after the first "Big Push" of a fortnight ago. Let's hope the figure keeps rising, and for my part I will do all I can, subject to my own business pressures, to maintain a fuller and more frequent service. Reminder to powers-that-be - I'm here as your one-stop-shop for whatever you want to announce to the club's supporters and all relevant media.
Mike Truscott
Confirming that our next home fixture is unchanged - versus Dover Athletic on Tuesday, November 27, NB kick-off 7 pm to accommodate the Dover party's flight arrangements. With both teams knocked out of the FA Trophy, it had been anticipated that the fixture would be brought forward to Saturday, November 24, which is now a rare blank day for the first team.
Dover lost their FA Trophy replay at home to Chelmsford City 4-2 on Tuesday. For our part, as reported in today's West Briton, we will NOT NOW BE APPEALING to the FA about the partial floodlight failure that contributed to our 3-2 Trophy defeat at Farnborough last Saturday.
NEXT FIXTURES:
This Saturday, 3 pm, away to Eastbourne Borough; Tues, Nov 20, away to Eastleigh, 7.45 pm; Tues, Nov 27, home to Dover Athletic, NB kick-off 7 pm; Sat, Dec 1, home to Tonbridge Angels, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 8, away to Boreham Wood, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 15, home to Maidenhead United, 3 pm; Sat, Dec 22, away to Salisbury 3 pm; Wed, Dec 26, home to Dorchester; Sat, Dec 29, home to Weston-Super-Mare, 3 pm; Tues, Jan 1, away to Dorchester, 3 pm.
300 UP!
City Alerts now has 300 subscribers, with new ones still coming in every day or two. The milestone was passed on Tuesday this week, with a total of 31 additions after the first "Big Push" of a fortnight ago. Let's hope the figure keeps rising, and for my part I will do all I can, subject to my own business pressures, to maintain a fuller and more frequent service. Reminder to powers-that-be - I'm here as your one-stop-shop for whatever you want to announce to the club's supporters and all relevant media.
Mike Truscott
14 November 2012
Truro Fans poll - should Luke McCormick play for Truro City
A poll is now running (top right corner of this blog) and is asking your opinion whether Luke McCormick should play for Truro City.
12 November 2012
TCFC Administrator's Statement Monday 12th Nov.
Kate Breese of Walsh Taylor and Administrator of Truro City Football Club Limited commented on the signing of Luke McCormick, the former Plymouth FC goalkeeper who was jailed in October 2008 for his involvement in a car accident which killed two children, for Truro City FC:
"I would like to give a warm welcome to Luke McCormick who will be a great addition to the first team at a time when we are in desperate need of players. With the embargo in place, the financial restrictions of administration and a mounting injury list, Luke's experience and undoubted ability is very much needed. The club is at its bare bones and it has been essential to recruit a goalkeeper. With Luke prepared to play for free combined with the club's current financial situation then this signing has been a matter of necessity.
It is my role as administrator to sell this club as a going concern and to achieve the best possible outcome for creditors. Luke has proved his self at Football League level and is willing to play for Truro City FC for free. As such, there is no question that adding Luke to the squad can only help this cause. But I also want to make sure that the soul of the club, the fans, understand the decision to bring Luke in and that they give him their complete support. With the club's first team goalkeeper now injured and out of action for a number of weeks and with no monies available to add to the wage bill, Luke was not only willing to play for free but he is also of a quality far in excess of any player we would be able to afford. With the club currently at the bottom of the Conference South, we need the strongest team possible to try and pull the club out of the relegation zone. We are doing everything we can off the field to save the cub and keep it in The Football Conference but we also need to ensure that the first team has the support to have the best possible chance of survival on the pitch.
Certain people may have concerns over Luke's past but his past is precisely that. Luke has served the time deemed appropriate by the judicial system and that chapter is now closed. Luke has been extremely remorseful over the cause of his jail term but as stated, the sentence has been served and there is no benefit to anyone in not allowing him to play the sport that he loves and has great ability at. I hope that the fans of Truro City understand this decision and equally give Luke the warmest possible welcome. He is now an important member of our squad and will play a crucial part in the club's fight for survival. The team needs the fans to keep their support strong as that is also vital for the survival hopes. Truro City FC is now looking forward after a period of severe uncertainty, the club having been on its' knees. We are not in a position to turn down offers of assistance and look forward to Luke playing an important role for the club."
"I would like to give a warm welcome to Luke McCormick who will be a great addition to the first team at a time when we are in desperate need of players. With the embargo in place, the financial restrictions of administration and a mounting injury list, Luke's experience and undoubted ability is very much needed. The club is at its bare bones and it has been essential to recruit a goalkeeper. With Luke prepared to play for free combined with the club's current financial situation then this signing has been a matter of necessity.
It is my role as administrator to sell this club as a going concern and to achieve the best possible outcome for creditors. Luke has proved his self at Football League level and is willing to play for Truro City FC for free. As such, there is no question that adding Luke to the squad can only help this cause. But I also want to make sure that the soul of the club, the fans, understand the decision to bring Luke in and that they give him their complete support. With the club's first team goalkeeper now injured and out of action for a number of weeks and with no monies available to add to the wage bill, Luke was not only willing to play for free but he is also of a quality far in excess of any player we would be able to afford. With the club currently at the bottom of the Conference South, we need the strongest team possible to try and pull the club out of the relegation zone. We are doing everything we can off the field to save the cub and keep it in The Football Conference but we also need to ensure that the first team has the support to have the best possible chance of survival on the pitch.
Certain people may have concerns over Luke's past but his past is precisely that. Luke has served the time deemed appropriate by the judicial system and that chapter is now closed. Luke has been extremely remorseful over the cause of his jail term but as stated, the sentence has been served and there is no benefit to anyone in not allowing him to play the sport that he loves and has great ability at. I hope that the fans of Truro City understand this decision and equally give Luke the warmest possible welcome. He is now an important member of our squad and will play a crucial part in the club's fight for survival. The team needs the fans to keep their support strong as that is also vital for the survival hopes. Truro City FC is now looking forward after a period of severe uncertainty, the club having been on its' knees. We are not in a position to turn down offers of assistance and look forward to Luke playing an important role for the club."
City Alerts by Mike Truscott - Monday 12th Nov
UPDATES from Farnborough 3 Truro City 2
LEE CONFIRMS: "We will be making a formal complaint to the FA about the floodlight failure and requesting a replay. We all heard a massive bang at the start of the second half and that was the bulbs popping. The whole of one side of the pitch was affected. There were four stanchions down that side, each with four lights, and some or all of those lights in each stanchion weren't working in the second half.
"It was okay for the first 15 or 20 minutes of the second half, but then it became a real issue as the natural light faded rapidly. I had no problem with the officials so far as the match was concerned and we were made to feel very welcome by the Farnborough club, who did everything they possibly could for us. But at the end of the day there was a lot of money at stake in this cup fixture and it was not an even contest - it was not a level playing field, which is all we ask for.
"The outcome was disappointing and very frustrating. It was a very open game, with both sides creating a lot of good chances. Unfortunately, we were found wanting in defence again. We have got to defend better - we left too many gaps - but once again we'd had to make a number of switches at the back. Andy Watkins' goal was an absolutely brilliant strike - he hit it superbly from 30 yards. The keeper didn't move and I don't think he even saw it until he was picking it out of the net. He's in terrific form right now and is deservedly scoring goals like this one."
NO FRESH INJURIES.
NEXT FIXTURES (all League): Sat Nov 17, away to Eastbourne Borough, 3 pm; Tues, Nov 20, away to Eastleigh, 7.45 pm; Tues, Nov 27, home to Dover Athletic, NB kick-off 7 pm; Sat, Dec 1, home to Tonbridge Angels, 3 pm.
IF DOVER LOSE their FA Trophy replay against Chelmsford City tomorrow, then it is anticipated that our match with them will almost certainly be brought forward to Saturday, November 24, 3 pm.
Yesterdays Truro City SUNDAY INDEPENDENT column attached.
CITY ALERTS "BIG PUSH." Good response to last week's "Big Push", and now just three new subscribers away from passing the 300 mark. So let's have another bash this week. If you know anyone who would welcome the service but has not yet registered, please encourage them to do so now at www.cityalerts.co.uk.
LEE CONFIRMS: "We will be making a formal complaint to the FA about the floodlight failure and requesting a replay. We all heard a massive bang at the start of the second half and that was the bulbs popping. The whole of one side of the pitch was affected. There were four stanchions down that side, each with four lights, and some or all of those lights in each stanchion weren't working in the second half.
"It was okay for the first 15 or 20 minutes of the second half, but then it became a real issue as the natural light faded rapidly. I had no problem with the officials so far as the match was concerned and we were made to feel very welcome by the Farnborough club, who did everything they possibly could for us. But at the end of the day there was a lot of money at stake in this cup fixture and it was not an even contest - it was not a level playing field, which is all we ask for.
"The outcome was disappointing and very frustrating. It was a very open game, with both sides creating a lot of good chances. Unfortunately, we were found wanting in defence again. We have got to defend better - we left too many gaps - but once again we'd had to make a number of switches at the back. Andy Watkins' goal was an absolutely brilliant strike - he hit it superbly from 30 yards. The keeper didn't move and I don't think he even saw it until he was picking it out of the net. He's in terrific form right now and is deservedly scoring goals like this one."
NO FRESH INJURIES.
NEXT FIXTURES (all League): Sat Nov 17, away to Eastbourne Borough, 3 pm; Tues, Nov 20, away to Eastleigh, 7.45 pm; Tues, Nov 27, home to Dover Athletic, NB kick-off 7 pm; Sat, Dec 1, home to Tonbridge Angels, 3 pm.
IF DOVER LOSE their FA Trophy replay against Chelmsford City tomorrow, then it is anticipated that our match with them will almost certainly be brought forward to Saturday, November 24, 3 pm.
Yesterdays Truro City SUNDAY INDEPENDENT column attached.
CITY ALERTS "BIG PUSH." Good response to last week's "Big Push", and now just three new subscribers away from passing the 300 mark. So let's have another bash this week. If you know anyone who would welcome the service but has not yet registered, please encourage them to do so now at www.cityalerts.co.uk.
11 November 2012
Tisa icon!
This image was taken on Saturday at Farnborough of Danny Humphreys, by John Mara. A cracking image with the flags and Tisa boys in the background.
10 November 2012
One in, one out
The player-go-round continues this week as Dan Green is confirmed as moving to Dorchester Town. Best wishes to Dan. Lets hope he gets a place in the side as recent transferee Aaran Pugh to the same club is apparently struggling to get a look in. A bizarre move from a regular place to sitting on the bench.
Farnborough v Truro review
Source Farnborough official site
‘Boro and Truro cross swords for the secon time in the space of 12 days tomorrow (Saturday) at Cherrywood Road.
Despite ‘Boro winning by a comfortable marging in the league encounter, boss Spencer Day knows that his troops must up their game if they are to make further progress in this seasons elite Non League Cup Competition“This is going to be a tough game for us, Truro gave us a very good game just over a week ago and the scoreline flattered us. Since then, they have got some injured players back, they won at the weekend and will be a different proposition for us.”
Last time out Truro earned three points with a home 3-2 win over AFC Hornchurch, whilst ‘Boro returned empty handed, returning from Bath City on the back of a 3-2 defeat, despite going into the last five minutes of the game ahead.
‘Boro are hopeful that Nic Ciardini who missed last weekends match, and ‘keeper Craig Bradshaw who was substituted at half time come through treatment to take part in the tie.
Kick of at Cherrywood Road is at 3pm, Admission prices Adults – £12, Concessions – £8, Under 16′s – £3 and Under 6′s Free, season tickets are not valid for this match.
Truro have 'nothing to lose' in their FA Trophy tie with Farnborough
Source BBC Sport
Truro City boss Lee Hodges says his side have "nothing to lose" in their FA Trophy clash with Farnborough.
City travel to Cherrywood Road buoyed by striker Andy Watkins' decision not to leave the cash-strapped club. Truro go into the game after an up and down week; they ended a run of three successive defeats with a win over AFC Hornchurch, but it was revealed the club owes almost £4m to creditors.
"We'll be looking forward to it we've got nothing to lose," Hodges said.
"I have positive thoughts off the back of a good win last Saturday.
"We had a run of three games without a win, but played some good stuff within that run.
"We've got to enjoy it and see what we can come up with on the day and see if we can go through to the next round of the cup."
City will be without goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe who was injured last weekend and long-term casualties Stewart Yetton and Martin Watts.
Truro were beaten beaten 4-1 by Farnborough two weeks ago, and Hodges says his side know what to expect.
"I learnt that they had some good individual players in their team, but I also felt there were places in their team where we'll be able to get at them.
"We have got goals in us, they've got a good forward line and a lot of pace and power about them which is their best asset I feel."
09 November 2012
City Alerts - by Mike Truscott
TEAM NEWS from Lee for tomorrow's match away to FARNBOROUGH, 3pm, in the FA Trophy.
13-MAN SQUAD: A N Other, Calron Hall, Jake Ash, Lee Hodges, Ben Williams, Joe Broad, Marcus Martin, Cody Cooke, Les Afful, Andy Watkins, Kieffer Moore, Bobby Hopkinson, Danny Carne.
TIM SANDERCOMBE: "Looks like he'll be out for a few weeks, but he's walking a lot better than he was last Saturday. He may have a slight tear, but it's nothing too bad. I'm currently trying to sort out my replacement for tomorrow."
TODD HANRAHAN returns to main club Ivybridge (without a game last Saturday), but may well figure again in later matches. STEWART YETTON (knee) out for at least another month, but making good progress after op this week. DAN GREEN has completed transfer to Dorchester.
MARTIN WATTS: "Will be playing for the reserves again tomorrow and ideally I'd like him to play a full half this time. I had wanted him just to have 15 to 20 minutes in his first match back last Saturday, but it went to extra time and so he ended up playing a lot longer. He's possibly just two or three weeks away now from the first team bench. He's a bit overweight at the moment, but that will soon come off with training and playing."
13-MAN SQUAD: A N Other, Calron Hall, Jake Ash, Lee Hodges, Ben Williams, Joe Broad, Marcus Martin, Cody Cooke, Les Afful, Andy Watkins, Kieffer Moore, Bobby Hopkinson, Danny Carne.
TIM SANDERCOMBE: "Looks like he'll be out for a few weeks, but he's walking a lot better than he was last Saturday. He may have a slight tear, but it's nothing too bad. I'm currently trying to sort out my replacement for tomorrow."
TODD HANRAHAN returns to main club Ivybridge (without a game last Saturday), but may well figure again in later matches. STEWART YETTON (knee) out for at least another month, but making good progress after op this week. DAN GREEN has completed transfer to Dorchester.
MARTIN WATTS: "Will be playing for the reserves again tomorrow and ideally I'd like him to play a full half this time. I had wanted him just to have 15 to 20 minutes in his first match back last Saturday, but it went to extra time and so he ended up playing a lot longer. He's possibly just two or three weeks away now from the first team bench. He's a bit overweight at the moment, but that will soon come off with training and playing."
07 November 2012
To Sit or Stand at Football?
As troubles of the pitch seem to being sorted and the future of Truro City FC carries on for generations, another incident has raised it's very ugly head. Some may agree but many others, like me totally disagree with actions taken by the club.
Last Saturday when the boys on the pitch were battling to gain a victory against AFC Hornchurch, a number of Truro City fans started creating an atmosphere like that of what we do best as fans. Now, we all know that us fans can be the 12th man. We have a vast array of chants to sing for the boys on the pitch. We all know also that this is replicated by the reactions of the players.
Those that wish to sing make their way to the covered stand opposite the bar. We all stand at the back in a huddle, so not to stand in front of those that do like to sit. One starts to chant with the others following. Who remembers last season at Welling, when we sang 'Lee Hodges...white and gold army' for 20 minutes? This was done standing. Normally, others that normally don't sing join in. It creates an atmosphere.
During happy and some very gloomy times over past seasons, we have stood in the stands, stamping feet, clapping hands and throwing our voices in a beautiful melody of footie songs. Although sometimes out of tune we have gained praise from all over England from those clubs that have been our opponents. Our reputation is amongst the best there is. Nothing big headed by that but we have earned that through our support. That's what we are about. So when we was approached by a club, and I mean club official being flanked by the new 'security' personnel to tell us to sit down or remove ourselves, how shocked we had become. Is this the same club official that had basically begged us fans to help in all ways possible to keep the club afloat when Heaney put us into administration? Is this the same club official that has watched and heard us do the same thing at home and away while they have been at the club? When questioned why we needed to sit down, we was told to do as was asked. Again, when questioned why we needed to sit down, the 'security' stated they were only doing as they were told. When the club official was asked, while most fans started to walk away from the stands back to the bar end, the club officials response was that it was for health and safety purposes. Give us a break. We ain't thick straw eating uneducated fans. What health and safety issue is there? Where's the stats to back that comment up? This killed the atmosphere for the rest of the game and many fans, some with 20 - 40 years of support behind them, questioning if they should return to the club they love if they can't support the club in the way they have and love doing. Is this the 'new' Truro City? One club that has no atmosphere. Do the club want people just to pay their money and be grateful with what they are watching with a polite 1940s side clap?
I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I would be asked at a non league game to sit down. On talking with others, and many who again feel disillusioned with the loyalty shown by 'club' officials to them now their jobs seem to be safe, are feeling pretty angry.
When the Football Licensing Authority was challenged by Football Supporters Federation to back up the so called statistics of standing being intrinsically unsafe they had to admit they couldn't be substantiated and withdrew the stats, quoting, ''the injury statistics we produce do not provide firm statistical evidence that standing is less safe than seating''. Mmm, interesting.
In 2002, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council commissioned a report to look into what the council perceived as the unsafe practice of fans standing persistently at Old Trafford (with the council at that time threatening Man Utd with reductions in the grounds capacity). WS Atkins, global experts in structural design, found that jumping up from your seat to celebrate a goal (which of course is allowed) was more ''unsafe'' than simply standing throughout a match (which isn't allowed). The report stated....''risk of persistent standing can range from relatively low when people are standing passively to a medium level when movements such as leaning and chanting occur. Standing at moments of high excitement and during celebrations was found to be more unsafe''. Mmm, interesting again. Will celebrating a goal be banned at Treyew Road as well?
What's your thoughts on this subject people. I don't wish to go on and on but I firmly believe the club is at risk of losing support at home with those only wishing to attend away games and support the team how they wish to do without being told not to. I thought the old dictator had left the building?
Yours, still standing and never sitting,
Latte Lad
Andy Watkins decides to stay
Mike Truscott received this email overnight from Andy Watkins:
"I do intend to stay. I was in talks with Bath City and was close to signing, but have decided to stay at Truro. Just hoping everything can be sorted out with the new owners."
Mike Truscott, City Alerts
"I do intend to stay. I was in talks with Bath City and was close to signing, but have decided to stay at Truro. Just hoping everything can be sorted out with the new owners."
Mike Truscott, City Alerts
 |
| Andy celebrates at Chippenham |
 |
| A couple action shots - we're glad you're staying Andy. |
06 November 2012
Updated article by Jack Murley on City's £4m owed to creditors
Source : BBC Link
The report also states an agreement to sell the club's Treyew Road ground is currently "under investigation".
Truro City are currently searching for new owners after entering administration earlier this year.
Local businessmen Peter Masters and Philip Perryman are preferred bidders, after putting up a £50,000 bond to allow the club to continue to play.
The report has been written by the club's administrator Kate Breese and has been submitted to the High Court of Justice Chancery Division.
But Masters says the amount they owe could come down.
"I've got to speak to all the creditors individually.
"It's a fantastic amount of money, but if you look at the whole situation, you had a wage bill of £25,000 per month and a you had a gate of 330 on average, so you can begin to understand the problem."
Truro went into administration after owner Kevin Heaney went bankrupt in August.
According to the report the club owes creditors a total of £3,901,352, with two creditors owed £1m each. Irish firm BCK is owed £1.5m while director Yulia Sincock is owed £1,006,180.
Tiger Commercial, which was a company set up to run the club's commercial affairs, has a claim for £645,000 while former chairman Kevin Heaney's firm Cornwall Properties Limited is owed £355,000.
One of the major issues to be resolved before a takeover can be completed is a deal for the club to continue to play at Treyew Road.
The ground is owned by JoJo Investments Limited, who bought before the club went into administration.
"Everyone wants a definitive statement on what happened to the ground and how it got sold under the football club," Masters said.
"What we're trying to do is ensure that Truro City Football Club continues playing at the ground, that's the overriding factor of everything and trumps everything.
"Once we are in a position to have a full picture behind us we will go forward at a rate of knots."
Masters and Perryman's firms have been paying the players wages of around £5,500 per week as well as the club's other running costs.
"There are lots of costs going out and we need to do a deal sooner rather than later," Masters added.
"What we want to do is to secure a deal quickly, if i can do one this week I'll do it."
Truro City
could owe creditors almost £4m, according to a report compiled by the club's
administrator.
The report also states an agreement to sell the club's Treyew Road ground is currently "under investigation".
Truro City are currently searching for new owners after entering administration earlier this year.
Local businessmen Peter Masters and Philip Perryman are preferred bidders, after putting up a £50,000 bond to allow the club to continue to play.
The report has been written by the club's administrator Kate Breese and has been submitted to the High Court of Justice Chancery Division.
But Masters says the amount they owe could come down.
"Everyone's got to prove their claims and I've made my
own assessment," he told BBC Radio
Cornwall.
"I've got to speak to all the creditors individually.
"It's a fantastic amount of money, but if you look at the whole situation, you had a wage bill of £25,000 per month and a you had a gate of 330 on average, so you can begin to understand the problem."
Truro went into administration after owner Kevin Heaney went bankrupt in August.
According to the report the club owes creditors a total of £3,901,352, with two creditors owed £1m each. Irish firm BCK is owed £1.5m while director Yulia Sincock is owed £1,006,180.
Tiger Commercial, which was a company set up to run the club's commercial affairs, has a claim for £645,000 while former chairman Kevin Heaney's firm Cornwall Properties Limited is owed £355,000.
One of the major issues to be resolved before a takeover can be completed is a deal for the club to continue to play at Treyew Road.
The ground is owned by JoJo Investments Limited, who bought before the club went into administration.
"Everyone wants a definitive statement on what happened to the ground and how it got sold under the football club," Masters said.
"What we're trying to do is ensure that Truro City Football Club continues playing at the ground, that's the overriding factor of everything and trumps everything.
"Once we are in a position to have a full picture behind us we will go forward at a rate of knots."
Masters and Perryman's firms have been paying the players wages of around £5,500 per week as well as the club's other running costs.
"There are lots of costs going out and we need to do a deal sooner rather than later," Masters added.
"What we want to do is to secure a deal quickly, if i can do one this week I'll do it."
Truro City financial timeline
- September 2011 - Truro face winding-up order for unpaid taxes
- June 2012 - High Court told debts total more than £700,000
- August 2012 - Truro players threaten to quit after not getting wages
- August 2012 - Owner Kevin Heaney declared bankrupt
- August 2012 - Truro enter administration
- September 2012 - Players set 2 October deadline and Football Conference sets one for nine days later for takeover
- September 2012 - Football Conference set 11 October deadline for takeover
- 3 October 2012 - Players agree to stay on until 11 October
- 11 October 2012 - Deadline to save the club passes with no deal
- 12 October 2012 - City given extension until 18 October
- 18 October 2012 - Deal for £50,000 bond is agreed with Football Conference
- 22 October 2012 - Pete Masters and Philip Perryman agree to pay wages and have until 4 January to buy the club
- 5 November 2012 - Claims of almost £4m are revealed
City Alerts - by Mike Truscott Monday 5th Nov
UPDATES from Truro City 3 AFC Hornchurch 2
TIM SANDERCOMBE (knee) to be assessed this week, but hopefully only a short absence. Lee: "We'll have to wait and see. It was a strange one. He just went down. The play was upfield and one of the players shouted 'Tim's injured.' I think there was a back-pass which he cleared, and it may have just impinged. Hopefully, he will make a quick recovery. There is no swelling, which is a good sign.
"I asked Tim to carry on in the second half, but his immobility was the reason we conceded the second goal so we had to make changes then. I didn't know myself what I could do as sub; I didn't know if I would be off again quickly with my hamstring.
"But it was okay and Jake performed brilliantly in goal; he was amazing. If we've got a big enough squad for Saturday, and if Tim is still out, I wouldn't hesitate to put him in goal straightaway. Jake and Yetsi are always going on about who's the better goalkeeper of the two, but Jake staked a pretty big claim against Hornchurch!
"I was absolutely delighted with the result. It may not have been the prettiest of matches, but the conditions were very difficult and at the end of the day a win is a win. It was vitally important to get some more points on the board. I was chuffed to bits for the lads because it was what they richly deserved.
"It was nice to see Kieffer Moore return to action and do so well. He took both his goals extremely well and might even have ended up with a brilliant hat-trick."
MARTIN WATTS returned to action for the reserves at St Ives Town on Saturday for the first time since sustaining his serious knee injury at Salisbury in February last year. Lee: "I wanted him to have 25 to 30 minutes as substitute, but because the match went into extra time he ended up having 55 - but he came through it all okay, so he will have another run-out with the reserves this week."
NEXT FIXTURES (all League except Farnborough): Sat Nov 10, FA Trophy, Farnborough away, 3 pm; Sat Nov 17, away to Eastbourne Borough, 3 pm; Tues, Nov 20, away to Eastleigh, 7.45 pm; Sat Nov 24, FA Trophy; Tues, Nov 27, home to Dover Athletic, NB kick-off 7 pm; Sat, Dec 1, home to Tonbridge Angels, 3 pm.
Yesterdays Truro City SUNDAY INDEPENDENT column attached - plus a one-off special for the Indy that also has strong Truro interest.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK from last week's media reports. LES GILBERT, q uoted in the Packet newspapers after his appointment with Robbie Stephens to succeed Alan Carey as manager/s at Falmouth Town (Les and Robbie are past managers of Truro City Reserves): "For me, Falmouth Town is still the biggest club in the county. We were fortunate enough to be at Truro, which is a big club, but I think Falmouth's the same. When I was growing up, they were the top club, and they always will be in my eyes."
"CITY ALERTS" BIG PUSH. Fantastic to see the new levels of interest and enthusiasm sweeping through the club. Next challenge is to maintain these levels - not least the increased gates - rather than go back off the boil. For my part, as well as expanding my weekly Sunday Independent column for the club, I am also aiming to increase the output of my City Alerts service, both in quantity and frequency. So it strikes me that now would be a good time to have a fresh push to increase the subscriber base (to fans and all relevant media, acting as a single point of issue for news from the club).
Each week, I aim for at least two emailed City Alerts, one on the Friday with all the latest team news for the next day's match, and the other on the Monday, with Lee's reflections on the Saturday match plus injury updates etc. The subscriber base currently stands at almost 300, and with all the renewed interest in the club I reckon there is the p otential for a good deal more now. So if you know anyone who hasn't yet registered but would welcome the service - please persuade them to register now at www.cityalerts.co.uk
TIM SANDERCOMBE (knee) to be assessed this week, but hopefully only a short absence. Lee: "We'll have to wait and see. It was a strange one. He just went down. The play was upfield and one of the players shouted 'Tim's injured.' I think there was a back-pass which he cleared, and it may have just impinged. Hopefully, he will make a quick recovery. There is no swelling, which is a good sign.
"I asked Tim to carry on in the second half, but his immobility was the reason we conceded the second goal so we had to make changes then. I didn't know myself what I could do as sub; I didn't know if I would be off again quickly with my hamstring.
"But it was okay and Jake performed brilliantly in goal; he was amazing. If we've got a big enough squad for Saturday, and if Tim is still out, I wouldn't hesitate to put him in goal straightaway. Jake and Yetsi are always going on about who's the better goalkeeper of the two, but Jake staked a pretty big claim against Hornchurch!
"I was absolutely delighted with the result. It may not have been the prettiest of matches, but the conditions were very difficult and at the end of the day a win is a win. It was vitally important to get some more points on the board. I was chuffed to bits for the lads because it was what they richly deserved.
"It was nice to see Kieffer Moore return to action and do so well. He took both his goals extremely well and might even have ended up with a brilliant hat-trick."
MARTIN WATTS returned to action for the reserves at St Ives Town on Saturday for the first time since sustaining his serious knee injury at Salisbury in February last year. Lee: "I wanted him to have 25 to 30 minutes as substitute, but because the match went into extra time he ended up having 55 - but he came through it all okay, so he will have another run-out with the reserves this week."
NEXT FIXTURES (all League except Farnborough): Sat Nov 10, FA Trophy, Farnborough away, 3 pm; Sat Nov 17, away to Eastbourne Borough, 3 pm; Tues, Nov 20, away to Eastleigh, 7.45 pm; Sat Nov 24, FA Trophy; Tues, Nov 27, home to Dover Athletic, NB kick-off 7 pm; Sat, Dec 1, home to Tonbridge Angels, 3 pm.
Yesterdays Truro City SUNDAY INDEPENDENT column attached - plus a one-off special for the Indy that also has strong Truro interest.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK from last week's media reports. LES GILBERT, q uoted in the Packet newspapers after his appointment with Robbie Stephens to succeed Alan Carey as manager/s at Falmouth Town (Les and Robbie are past managers of Truro City Reserves): "For me, Falmouth Town is still the biggest club in the county. We were fortunate enough to be at Truro, which is a big club, but I think Falmouth's the same. When I was growing up, they were the top club, and they always will be in my eyes."
"CITY ALERTS" BIG PUSH. Fantastic to see the new levels of interest and enthusiasm sweeping through the club. Next challenge is to maintain these levels - not least the increased gates - rather than go back off the boil. For my part, as well as expanding my weekly Sunday Independent column for the club, I am also aiming to increase the output of my City Alerts service, both in quantity and frequency. So it strikes me that now would be a good time to have a fresh push to increase the subscriber base (to fans and all relevant media, acting as a single point of issue for news from the club).
Each week, I aim for at least two emailed City Alerts, one on the Friday with all the latest team news for the next day's match, and the other on the Monday, with Lee's reflections on the Saturday match plus injury updates etc. The subscriber base currently stands at almost 300, and with all the renewed interest in the club I reckon there is the p otential for a good deal more now. So if you know anyone who hasn't yet registered but would welcome the service - please persuade them to register now at www.cityalerts.co.uk
05 November 2012
Claims that Truro City owes nearly £4 million
Source: Miles at The West Briton. LINK
The scale of the alleged debt at Cornwall's biggest football club has emerged.
Truro City Football Club owes nearly £4 million pounds, it has been claimed.
The figure has been revealed in a report from the administrators, Walsh Taylor, currently running the club.
Truro City went into administration after former chairman Kevin Heaney was declared bankrupt.
Negotiations are still ongoing regarding the sale of the club to three businessmen from Truro - Pete and Jaoson Masters from nightclub L2 and Pete Perryman from taxi firm A2B.
The figures are taken from information given by creditors and have not been agreed by both sides.
The report notes that: "Any sale of the Football Club is likely to result in the company proposing a company voluntary arrangement to all creditors."
The list of creditors is made up of debts ranging from a couple of pounds to a claim for £1.5 million from BCK, a "wealth management" company based in Dublin.
The list also includes allegedly unpaid utility bills and more than £1 million to an individual named as Yulia Sincock. A Julia Sincock is listed as one of the directors of the football club.
A number of Truro City players also appear on the list of creditors but are listed as claiming zero payment.
The total sum allegedly owed is £3,931,352 with £30,000 claimed by preferential creditors and £3,901,352 claimed by unsecured creditors.
The scale of the alleged debt at Cornwall's biggest football club has emerged.
Truro City Football Club owes nearly £4 million pounds, it has been claimed.
The figure has been revealed in a report from the administrators, Walsh Taylor, currently running the club.
Truro City went into administration after former chairman Kevin Heaney was declared bankrupt.
Negotiations are still ongoing regarding the sale of the club to three businessmen from Truro - Pete and Jaoson Masters from nightclub L2 and Pete Perryman from taxi firm A2B.
The figures are taken from information given by creditors and have not been agreed by both sides.
The report notes that: "Any sale of the Football Club is likely to result in the company proposing a company voluntary arrangement to all creditors."
The list of creditors is made up of debts ranging from a couple of pounds to a claim for £1.5 million from BCK, a "wealth management" company based in Dublin.
The list also includes allegedly unpaid utility bills and more than £1 million to an individual named as Yulia Sincock. A Julia Sincock is listed as one of the directors of the football club.
A number of Truro City players also appear on the list of creditors but are listed as claiming zero payment.
The total sum allegedly owed is £3,931,352 with £30,000 claimed by preferential creditors and £3,901,352 claimed by unsecured creditors.