Hello Everyone,
Very sorry, but I'm afraid this is my last City Alert. For purely personal reasons, I have this morning resigned as Truro City's press officer. This means that with immediate effect the City Alerts service is being closed down, ditto my weekly Truro City column in the Sunday Independent and my match day programme contributions. I am furnishing the club with all my media contacts for press releases.
With the closedown of the City Alerts website, I am anticipating that I will now also lose my editor@cityalerts.co.uk email address immediately. So for any continuing personal contact please use my main address, mike@goldenreplay.com, and if ever you have any problems with that one, try mikegold1@btconnect.com.
I like to think that I leave Truro City's PR - its communications with fans and media - in a much healthier state than just over three years ago, when I started the club's Sunday Independent column and conceived and developed City Alerts.
I'm also very hopeful that, with the structure, personnel and policies now in place, my leaving will result in little if any overall difference in the club's relations with its fans and media.
I have enjoyed my time at the heart of the club immensely and I wish Peter and Pep in particular all the success in the world with their new interest!
Reflecting on the past three years, a very special word of thanks must - of course - go to Lee Hodges. I will miss my regular chats with him, at least twice a week, very much. He is that rare breed in football - someone who manages to succeed despite being a genuine nice guy and a gentleman. I know all supporters, to a man, will be right behind me when I say that we have been incredibly fortunate in having such an outstandingly able young man at the helm throughout this extremely difficult period.
Lee has forged an unprecedentedly close link - and mutual respect - with the fans in that time, and (yep, seems such a long time ago now) guided the club so impressively to promotion from the Southern League Premier Division in 2011.
He must have lost count of the times he went to hell and back during those darkest weeks of them all last autumn, but he was always there - for me and all the media - ready to co-operate, ready to answer all the awkward questions, ready to "take it on the chin" when it seemed things just could not get any worse.
Similarly, the way his players demonstrated their commitment to the club by continuing to play, week after week and frequently with Herculean efforts and performances on the pitch - and while they were being unpaid for it all, to boot - was just incredible. Repeat, incredible.
Of this, and the whole amazing, crazy season with all its dramas, traumas, highs and lows, I think I can safely say that in all my 46 years as a full-time professional writer . . . I have never known anything quite like it!!
As for the club's fans, my heartfelt thanks to all those of you who have got in touch and encouraged me to "keep up the good work" with these City Alerts.
I guess it's really a case of watch this space now for City Alerts. Either someone else within the club will pick it up and run with it, or you will simply see an even more lively official club website, which will be no bad thing anyway. So keep visiting that website!
For now, it's over and out from me, although I look forward very much to continuing to watch City next season, purely as a paying spectator, and I hope more than I can say that by then the club will have stability and sustainability, and that the standard of football we have come to expect and cherish in recent seasons will be back again in double-quick time.
MIKE TRUSCOTT
29 April 2013
City Alerts - Lee's view on the Tonbridge game
LEE'S VERDICT on Tonbridge Angels 3 Truro City 2:
"We arrived at the ground 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off, after major delays caused by a pile-up, and unfortunately we started off very much like a team that was still on the bus after a seven-hour journey. We conceded early, but slowly grew into the game.
"Tonbridge's second and third goals were taken well but were really down to us not taking up our defensive positions properly. The goals were a bit sloppy from our point of view. We had a chat about it at half-time and the boys came out, gave it a right go and pulled back to 3-2.
"But then Joe Broad was sent off in what was an absolutely incredible decision. I would have been shocked if he'd even had a yellow for his tackle. We were also denied two clear penalties, one in each half, but full credit to the boys; I was just disappointed they didn't come away with anything from it."
LEE on the season now ended: "It's obviously been extremely difficult and I'm just proud to have got through it all with as many players as possible. I'm chuffed to bits that we managed to complete all our games. The memories - of all the fantastic performances against all the odds on the field and the incredible support from the fans - will live on forever. Now we just watch and wait, with a lot of decisions having to be made very quickly."
Actually . . . . we agreed that it would be well nigh impossible to do justice to it all, and everyone concerned, in a few short words of summary. So far better to link you to Lee's interview with DAVE DEACON after the match:--
http://www.cornishsoccer.info/Lee%20Hodges%20after%20Tonbridge.mp3
"We arrived at the ground 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off, after major delays caused by a pile-up, and unfortunately we started off very much like a team that was still on the bus after a seven-hour journey. We conceded early, but slowly grew into the game.
"Tonbridge's second and third goals were taken well but were really down to us not taking up our defensive positions properly. The goals were a bit sloppy from our point of view. We had a chat about it at half-time and the boys came out, gave it a right go and pulled back to 3-2.
"But then Joe Broad was sent off in what was an absolutely incredible decision. I would have been shocked if he'd even had a yellow for his tackle. We were also denied two clear penalties, one in each half, but full credit to the boys; I was just disappointed they didn't come away with anything from it."
LEE on the season now ended: "It's obviously been extremely difficult and I'm just proud to have got through it all with as many players as possible. I'm chuffed to bits that we managed to complete all our games. The memories - of all the fantastic performances against all the odds on the field and the incredible support from the fans - will live on forever. Now we just watch and wait, with a lot of decisions having to be made very quickly."
Actually . . . . we agreed that it would be well nigh impossible to do justice to it all, and everyone concerned, in a few short words of summary. So far better to link you to Lee's interview with DAVE DEACON after the match:--
http://www.cornishsoccer.info/Lee%20Hodges%20after%20Tonbridge.mp3
28 April 2013
Truro City chairman frustrated as club's future still unclear
By Rhod Mitchell, This is Cornwall.
Truro City chairman Pete Masters has admitted his frustration at the uncertainity surrounding the future of the already relegated club which ended its two year spell in Blue Square South, with a 3-2 defeat at Tonbridge Angels today.
In a statement issued immediately after the game he said:
"Whilst clearly it is a big disappointment for the club to have been relegated from the Conference South, it remains a fantastic achievement for the club to have survived the Administration, which was assisted by the players' agreement to waive their arrears back in November 2012.
"If Truro City Football Club Limited (in Administration) is able to pass an approved Company Voluntary Arrangement, then it is understood that the club would just be relegated (due to its league position) to the Southern League Premier Division.
"If not, then it is understood that the Club is likely to be playing in either the Southern League Division One South & West or the Western League.
"We understand from the FA that this decision cannot be made until at least after the Football
Conference's AGM, which is scheduled for 8th June 2013.
"In the circumstances, it is clearly impossible for us to make too many plans until the situation in relation to the CVA is finalised and the FA have clarified the Club's league position.
"This is frustrating for all involved, but given the state the Club was in when we took over, we all knew it was not going to be easy.
"We perhaps did not know that it was going to be so hard, but the fact remains that the Club has against the odds survived and, worst case, will remain the highest placed football club in the County.
I will release a further statement once the League position has been clarified.
"Once again, thanks for your effort and commitment to the Club and, hopefully, next season we can look forward to stability off the pitch and success on it.
Truro City chairman Pete Masters has admitted his frustration at the uncertainity surrounding the future of the already relegated club which ended its two year spell in Blue Square South, with a 3-2 defeat at Tonbridge Angels today.
In a statement issued immediately after the game he said:
"Whilst clearly it is a big disappointment for the club to have been relegated from the Conference South, it remains a fantastic achievement for the club to have survived the Administration, which was assisted by the players' agreement to waive their arrears back in November 2012.
"If Truro City Football Club Limited (in Administration) is able to pass an approved Company Voluntary Arrangement, then it is understood that the club would just be relegated (due to its league position) to the Southern League Premier Division.
"If not, then it is understood that the Club is likely to be playing in either the Southern League Division One South & West or the Western League.
Conference's AGM, which is scheduled for 8th June 2013."In the circumstances, it is clearly impossible for us to make too many plans until the situation in relation to the CVA is finalised and the FA have clarified the Club's league position.
"This is frustrating for all involved, but given the state the Club was in when we took over, we all knew it was not going to be easy.
"We perhaps did not know that it was going to be so hard, but the fact remains that the Club has against the odds survived and, worst case, will remain the highest placed football club in the County.
I will release a further statement once the League position has been clarified.
"Once again, thanks for your effort and commitment to the Club and, hopefully, next season we can look forward to stability off the pitch and success on it.
Ten man City end troubled season with 25th defeat
By Rhod Mitchell, This is Cornwall. Images by Steve Rogers.
Tonbridge Angels 3 Truro City 2
City's two season spell in the Blue Square Bet South came to a disappointing end in Kent with an unfortunate defeat – their 25th of a very difficult season.
Already relegated from Step 2, at just what level the club will be playing next season is still unclear, and just how many of the current squad and management will remain is uncertain.
But again they did the club proud after arriving just 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off because of traffic hold ups on the long trip from Cornwall.
And after rushing to get ready, the visitors were caught "still on the bus" when Aaron Gayle gave the home side the lead after two minutes, though Paul Hider might have done better with the shot.
However, City were soon on level terms when the excellent Barry Hayles levelled with a fine shot, but poor defending allowed the prolific Frannie Collin to give the home side a 3-1 interval lead.
After the break, Hayles quickly pulled a goal back and City looked on course to take something from the game until midfielder Joe Broad saw red with 20 minutes to go.
City still had chances to level in a frantic finale but it was not to be, leaving manager Lee Hodges frustrated, not for the first time this season.
He said: "We should have taken something from the game. I thought the officiating was terrible.
"Joe's tackle was not even a booking and we could have had a couple of penalties.
"But I would like to thank all the players for what they have done for me this season."
City: Hider; Washburn, Ash (capt), Williams, Watts, Cooke, Broad, Copp, Afful, Hayles, Wright. Subs: Watkins, Davey.
Tonbridge Angels 3 Truro City 2
City's two season spell in the Blue Square Bet South came to a disappointing end in Kent with an unfortunate defeat – their 25th of a very difficult season.
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| Chairman's Player of the Year, Les Afful playes 42 games this season. |
Already relegated from Step 2, at just what level the club will be playing next season is still unclear, and just how many of the current squad and management will remain is uncertain.
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| Ben Williams in action |
And after rushing to get ready, the visitors were caught "still on the bus" when Aaron Gayle gave the home side the lead after two minutes, though Paul Hider might have done better with the shot.
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| Barry and Lee lead the way |
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| Watkins and Jordan Copp leave the pitch |
After the break, Hayles quickly pulled a goal back and City looked on course to take something from the game until midfielder Joe Broad saw red with 20 minutes to go.
City still had chances to level in a frantic finale but it was not to be, leaving manager Lee Hodges frustrated, not for the first time this season.
He said: "We should have taken something from the game. I thought the officiating was terrible.
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| Jake Ash throws the captains arm band to the fans |
"Joe's tackle was not even a booking and we could have had a couple of penalties.
"But I would like to thank all the players for what they have done for me this season."
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| Fans applaud the players after the game |
City: Hider; Washburn, Ash (capt), Williams, Watts, Cooke, Broad, Copp, Afful, Hayles, Wright. Subs: Watkins, Davey.
Some fans images from the Tonbridge Angels game
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| Tisa boys in full song |
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| Shauny's goin to get ya! |
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| Bolton Phil with Andy Rogers and Royston Wilkins |
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| Players thank the fans for their commitment and support after the game |
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| John Grenfell, Barry, Steve Rogers, Les and JP. |
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| Barry Hayles with John Mara and Les Afful. |
TISA present Lee Hodges with their own trophy
In appreciation of Lee Hodges and his unwaivering commitment to the Club and the fans, TISA proudly presented a trophy. The main inscription read "Who Needs Mourinho"! Organised by Snowy, the trophy was presented by Dave Grimshaw.
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