Copyright © All rights reserved. Made By Dave Deacon for CORNISH SOCCER PUBLICATIONS
The voice of football in the Duchy
Duchy Hotline (for Sunday, May 12th 2013)
Read my weekly column below which appears in the Sunday Independent. It will be updated
each Wednesday, if you want to mention something about your club in this column
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It just goes on and on for Illogan RBL Reserves! Winning their Trelawny League Premier Division with six games left to play, it clinched their fourth league title in five seasons and they still have two cups to go for yet!
At the start of the season skipper Steve Abbott-Smith’s personal aim was to win the league : ”We have a great squad with a good atmosphere. At the moment we’re still unbeaten, if we can carry that on it will be a top season.”
So the title is in the bag, but there’s still the chance of some more silverware before the season is out : “The cups are a great bonus and to be in three and play in all the finals is a great achievement. Let’s hope we can win the Dunn Cup and the Percy Stephens Cup as I thought we were very unlucky in the Junior Cup.”
Steve’s keen to point out though that it’s a team effort : “Once again we’ve got great squad and it’s a privilege to be captain. Also what a season for Nick Ward and Mark Waters – in their first season in charge together, so credit to them and the club.”
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This season hasn’t yet finished, but no doubt there are a few clubs out there who are already making plans for the new campaign.
One of those is St Stephen, a club based in the china clay area of mid-Cornwall.
They’re on the look-out for various new blood to join them and you’ll see they have advertised this week on the Noticeboard (see page ?). Despite a village club, it’s good to hear they have ambition and rather than be content with the present, wish to move on.
Secretary John Le Masurier admits though it’s not easy :”It’s always a difficult thing trying to get local people in the village to come forward, at a push, both of last year’s managers would carry on next season, but we need a lot more help in moving the teams forward.”
John is not only the Club Secretary but also responsible for keeping the club website up to date and as a match is completed, so he puts the action on youtube as well as onto the club’s facebook page.
John is keen to emphasise that the club’s role is important in the local community : ”It’s a necessity for a growing village with a brand new school and lots of young sports people needing to have clubs like ours to join as they develop in life. We are doing all we can and we do get help from the local Parish council when we approach them, but we have lacked a big local employer in the village so sponsorship isn't really an option. We raise money through duck races, raffles etc. We do what we can to
At the start of the season skipper Steve Abbott-
Steve’s keen to point out though that it’s a team effort : “Once again we’ve got great squad and it’s a privilege to be captain. Also what a season for Nick Ward and Mark Waters – in their first season in charge together, so credit to them and the club.”
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This season hasn’t yet finished, but no doubt there are a few clubs out there who are already making plans for the new campaign.
One of those is St Stephen, a club based in the china clay area of mid-
They’re on the look-
Secretary John Le Masurier admits though it’s not easy :”It’s always a difficult thing trying to get local people in the village to come forward, at a push, both of last year’s managers would carry on next season, but we need a lot more help in moving the teams forward.”
John is not only the Club Secretary but also responsible for keeping the club website up to date and as a match is completed, so he puts the action on youtube as well as onto the club’s facebook page.
John is keen to emphasise that the club’s role is important in the local community : ”It’s a necessity for a growing village with a brand new school and lots of young sports people needing to have clubs like ours to join as they develop in life. We are doing all we can and we do get help from the local Parish council when we approach them, but we have lacked a big local employer in the village so sponsorship isn't really an option. We raise money through duck races, raffles etc. We do what we can to
keep locals involved in sport, but it is always the same people giving up there time to help run things! Running a football club with all its regulations, insurance cover cost's etc sometimes makes you think why we, as the only people who seem to care, carry on doing it.”
As like many clubs, St Stephen relies on a small number of volunteers, however one of those, Trevor Bilkey, who has been involved for 30 years or more is pulling out this year. So more concern for John : “This will leave a great gap in the club's organisational abilities. We just don't seem to have many local residents who are willing to help.”
Can you?
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Today sees the Launceston K.O Cup Final take place at Pennygillam, Launceston with a 5.00 pm kick-off set for the match between Altarnun and LC Phoenix.
It’s been billed as an eagerly anticipated local derby with LC Phoenix playing in the final for the first time after only being formed in 2008. In contrast, Altarnun have appeared in the final four times and last won the cup in 2003 and prior to that in 1990 and on both occasions they defeated Southgate United by a score of 3-1.
It should be a tightly contested game as Altarnun’s defence has tightened up in the last few months in their push for promotion from Duchy League Division One, whilst LC Phoenix have only conceded one goal en route to the final and that was a penalty in the Semi Final defeat of Week St Mary. Phoenix had a difficult route to the final having to dispose of last year’s winners Pensilva, then this season’s Eastern Division Junior Cup Finalists Bude and also Premier Division Gunnislake.
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As like many clubs, St Stephen relies on a small number of volunteers, however one of those, Trevor Bilkey, who has been involved for 30 years or more is pulling out this year. So more concern for John : “This will leave a great gap in the club's organisational abilities. We just don't seem to have many local residents who are willing to help.”
Can you?
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Today sees the Launceston K.O Cup Final take place at Pennygillam, Launceston with a 5.00 pm kick-
It should be a tightly contested game as Altarnun’s defence has tightened up in the last few months in their push for promotion from Duchy League Division One, whilst LC Phoenix have only conceded one goal en route to the final and that was a penalty in the Semi Final defeat of Week St Mary. Phoenix had a difficult route to the final having to dispose of last year’s winners Pensilva, then this season’s Eastern Division Junior Cup Finalists Bude and also Premier Division Gunnislake.
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Don’t forget, if you want to mention something about your club in this column - contact me on either 07759 502408 or by e-mail to dave.deacon@cornishsoccer.info
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Match to catch:
Redruth United Reserves v Ruan Minor, Trelawny Div 3 (tomorrow)
United have to win to keep, with loads of goals, to keep alive any title hopes
Duchy Hotline