30 September 2012

Comments From Chelmsford City's forum




Forever Claret 83 wrote:
Yep, i'm really proud of our club right now. Fingers crossed that Truro pull through.

John Morris wrote:
Amen to that. I'm much too young to have experienced our trials and tribulations, but I was stunned at Truro's spirit in adversity. Good luck to Lee Hodges and the players who stood by him in the crisis; good luck to that astonishing little band of fans who showed what real support is all about. They sang when they went in front, they sang when we got back level, they sang after they were down to ten men -- and no more subs --and I'm sure they would have gone on singing after we got our third goal, if there had been time. Just this once, I'm not bothered by our own perceived strengths and failings. This was the oppositions day, and I'm glad we played our part in it.

Do we need, as Truro fans, say anymore?

Come on whoever is interested in saving OUR club. Please hurry up and save us.

More photos from Chelmsford game





    Photos taken by Dave Grimshaw

Photos of Chelmsford City v Truro City Game


  
  
  
  
  
 
Photos by Steve and Vicky Clark

Chelmsford City 3 Truro City 2


Chelmsford City 3. Truro City 2
TROUBLED Truro City, facing the prospect of their last ever game on Tuesday, were dealt another crushing blow on the pitch on Saturday with the most cruel of defeats.
They looked on course for a rare win after leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Stewart Yetton and Les Afful. But Craig Calver's injury time strike completed an amazing comeback for the hosts to leave City's players completely drained at the full time whistle. 
Lee Hodges' men also finished the game with ten men after Dan Green was red carded for handling the ball on the line in the 61st minute. Despite being a man down, City looked likey closing in on a hard-earned point.
But so typical of the club's current plight, Calver struck at the death to deny Truro.
City had made the perfect start when Stewart Yetton opened the scoring after 13 minutes.
And with 41 minutes played Hodges' men doubled their lead
when Afful struck for the visitors.
But Chelmsford were back in it just a minute after the break
when Jamie Slabber headed home for the hosts from Ishmael Welsh's cross.
And with 61 minutes played it got worse for the visitors
when Green was sent off and David Rainford made no mistake from the penalty
spot to bring Chelmsford level.
A miserable afternoon for Truro was compounded in injury
time when Calver made it 3-2 in what could be the last away game for troubled
City.
Truro entertain Bath City at Treyew Road on Tuesday night, which, if there is no solution to their financial problems, could be their last.
City: T Sandercombe, B Williams, L Hodges (B Hopkinson), J
Ash, D Green, L Afful, M Martin (K Moore), J Broad, S Yetton, C Cooke, A
Watkins.



24 September 2012

City Alerts - Lee's view by Mike Truscott

LEE'S VIEW on Truro City   2   AFC Totton   3 

"Totton did well and I wish them every success in the Cup, but there's no doubt in my mind that if we had been training properly, twice a week as usual, we would have won comfortably."

"We looked exactly what we are at the moment - a team that is no longer able to train properly and doesn't know what is happening off the field."

"We had a 25-minute session against Totton when we dominated and should have scored.  We had some good chances but didn't take them and then mistakes by us cost us at the end of the day."

"I'd like to say a big thank-you to Jake for organising the Race Night and to all the fans who took part;  we had a really good evening."

Mike Truscott, City Alerts.

23 September 2012

Truro City Reserves

NEXT MATCH @ Treyew Road 

Tuesday 25th September 

Carlsberg South West Peninsular League West Division 

Truro City Reserves v Hayle  ko 7.30pm 

Admission - Adults: £4, Seniors/Concessions: £2, Kids: free 

Come along and support the lads - clubhouse bar open as usual & run by the supporters.
All profits are going straight into the club and not elsewhere now, so enjoy a pint or three.

Successful Race Night and Auction felt like a farewell

Last night's Race Night and auction of football memorabilia was a resounding success.  The only negative was that more fans should have supported the event.  With virtually the full first team and management attending, the evening was reminiscent of Legends night.  The only difference was that the Legends are the current first team. 

The evening's MC was Club Captain Jake Ash, not only Superman on the pitch, but a more than capable Race Master.  Sprinkled with anecdotes and stories, players talked about their best moments at Treyew Road.  The Yetti told us of his disappointment at not scoring at Wembley but admitted the best goal for him was Broady's own strike at the Vase Final.  Yetts also cherished his goal against Liskeard at St Blazey.  Jake reminisced of his brilliant long range volley at Willand.  Dan Williams was very pleased to get his second goal for the club and Cody was delighted with his brace at Sutton.

On to the evening itself, some staggering amounts were collected, given the relatively few die-hards in attendance.  The auction of memorabilia raised £700, the highlights being £260 for a signed Vase Final shirt and the lowlights being £5.50 for a 1998 Man Utd shirt!
Yetti and Colin Carter with Gozzy shirt, as warn at Wembley.

The bucket collection around the ground raised an astonishing £600 whilst the Race itself raised £700.  Generous donations of beer from St Austell Brewey and Skinners added to the pot.  Indeed, all lager, cider and beer completely sold out.  Several generous supporters made donations beyond the call of duty and the already publicised donation from Chelmsford City leaves one speechless and quite emotional.

In summary, I will admit there was a tear in my eye when I left the premises.  I'm on holiday now for two weeks and I couldn't help but feel this was the last game I'll watch here today.  I would like to return to find a White Knight and not a ginger one.

New barman Snowy, manning the pumps yesterday.

Chelmsford's Mansell Wallace right behind Truro City

Chairman Mansell Wallace has pledged his full support for the campaign to keep fellow Blue Square Bet South club Truro City alive by confirming that a bucket collection will take place within Melbourne Stadium at Saturday’s FA Cup game against Leatherhead.
 
 
Clarets fans, and those of the visiting Tanners, will have the opportunity to make a financial contribution on the day in solidarity with a club at the same level who have found life difficult in recent months. Wallace said: “We’ve been in a similar position ourselves and it’s very unpleasant not knowing whether the club you love will survive from day-to-day.”

“We’ll be shaking buckets around the ground this Saturday so anyone who would like to make a small donation can do so. It’s not the fault of the Truro supporters that their club is in turmoil and our own fans at Chelmsford have recollections of that same scenario in decades gone by. Now is the time for all non-league football to stick together.”
 
In addition to the above published on Friday 21st Sept, Mansell appeared on the Non League Show this morning and appealed to all non league clubs to make an effort to support Truro City.  A very commendable £300 was raised at the Chelmsford v Leatherhead game yesterday.

Truro Fans stats

Of interest to the statto's amongst Truro Fans, the number of page hits on this blog is now reaching nearly 10,000 a month.  Following on from conversations with players and management last night, it would seem that if no preferred bidders announce their intentions in the next ten days or so, then the first team will move on to pastures new.  With so much loyalty between players and fans, as shown last night at the auction and Race Night, surely there must be a seriously interested bidder or consortium out there?  Time is seriously running out.
 
 

Truro City players to quit after two more games unless a buyer is found - Hodges

Source: Rhod Mitchell This is Cornwall

Truro City 2 AFC Totton 3

City player-manager Lee Hodges says he and the players will only stay at Treyew Road for two more games unless a buyer is found for the club which went into administration earlier this month.

After watching his side crash out of the FA Cup, against the club City beat to win the 2007 FA Vase final, Hodges said the uncertainty over the club's future, with the players still not being paid had gone on long enough.

Truro travel to Chelmsford in Blue Square South next Saturday and then entertain Bath City on Tuesday week which could be the club's last game, at least at this level.

He said: "I said to the players in the changing room give me Saturday at Chelmsford and then Bath at home and if there is no money that's it. It's all over.

"We have two games left unless we get a buyer.

"We are not training and its showing. If we were training twice a week we would have beaten them.

"We can't' keep listening that people are interested (in buying the club) and not doing anything about it.

"Other clubs are intertested in the players but they are holding out. They want to stay and do it but say something has got to happen and quickly."

The administrators say there are interested parties but none have yet made a firm offer for the club and with the players' making a stand, time is rapidly running out.

In the second qualifying round tie itself, City were poor in the first half and were fortunate to trail just 1-0 at the break with Richard Gillespie converting Michael Gosney's cross midway through the half.

The Hampshire side had earlier missed a penalty when Gosney shot wide from the spot.

The second half began disastrously for the home side with Dave Allen lobbing Tim Sandercombe to make it 2-0 after just 36 seconds of the second period.

But a Stewart Yetton header, from a free-kick by Hodges, gave City hope and the home side svereal times threatened an equaliser before a horrible defensive mix-up allowed Gosney to head home from a Gillespie cross to make it 3-1 with seven minutes to go.

Although Ben Williams pulled a goal back in stoppage time, it came too late to matter as City missed out the chance of winning much needed £4,500 in prize money.

Now their fight is to try and just survive.

21 September 2012

City Alerts - Friday 21st September

TEAM NEWS for City's FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round match at home to AFC Totton tomorrow, 3 pm:
Skipper JAKE ASH returns from suspension.  No new injury concerns, so otherwise same squad as last Saturday except for possible addition of new midfielder BOBBY HOPKINSON, but as of this morning that signing is still subject to League approval.

Lee:  "Bobby is like Marcus Martin at the moment in that he's way short of match fitness.  He's been released by Havant & Waterlooville and he's keen to get fit again  and would be very happy to do that with us and play for nothing."   For more info on Bobby, see the full breakdown on Wikipedia:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Hopkinson

Lee again:  "The boys will give it their all again tomorrow and I know the fans will be right behind us once more, which is fantastic, but I can't deny that time is running out now.  We are going into the match with the knowledge that there's still no evidence of anyone seriously interested in buying the club.  Time is of the essence and it's not on our side."  

NEXT FIXTURES after tomorrow.    Away to Chelmsford City, Saturday, September 29, 3 pm,;  home to Bath City, Tuesday, October 2, 7.45 pm, both League.

Race Night Sponsors adverts


A couple advert samples from Race Night Sponsors for the Race Night tomorrow evening, after the Totton game.  Please make every effort to attend this fund raising event.  Everything raised will go towards the "maintenance" of our players and staff.  Let's hope a preferred bidder comes out of the woodwork soon.


Arran Pugh signs for Dorchester Town

Source: Simon Larkins Falmouth Packet

Former Truro City defender Arran Pugh has today (Thursday) signed for Blue Square Bet Conference South side Dorchester Town.

Pugh left Truro City last week, amid the on-going financial crisis at Treyew Road.

The defender enjoyed a successful spell at Truro City. He was instrumental in getting the club promoted from the Southern Premier League to the Conference South.

He will go straight into Dorchester Town's squad to face Hellenic League side Wootton Bassett in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup this weekend.

(Best wishes in your future footballing career Arran.  You will be missed at the back.  Thanks Kevin).

Manager Lee Hodges calls for Truro City takeover bids

Source:  BBC Sport

Truro City boss Lee Hodges says it is time for people wanting to buy the financially stricken club to 'put their money where their mouth is.'

City are in administration and last week skipper Jake Ash feared the club could fold by the end of the month.

"This week I was hoping to hear that people would be really interested in the club," Hodges told BBC Cornwall.

"But nothing could be further from the truth, the people who have said they're interested have gone no further."

Hodges continued: "Being interested isn't any good anymore, we need people to start putting bids on the table and putting their money where their mouth is.

"We go into Saturday's game without anyone trying to buy the club which is such a shame," Hodges added.

Friendship with Chelmsford City grows

Our friendship between fans and Chelmsford City's management continues to flourish.  A simple letter from Steve Clark requesting permission to collect cash at the Melbourne Stadium resulted in nothing less than generous hospitality.  Club Chairman and charismatic leader, Mansell Wallace not only agreed to the collection but has made a generous donation himself.  Mansell, we will remember you forever.

Letter reply below:

Hi Steve

We at Chelmsford would be only too delighted to help in any way we can. We found ourselves in a similar position a few years ago and was profoundly grateful for the help we received from other Clubs. We sincerely wish you all the best for the future and, as I have met and shared a few pints with your supporters, I know your Club will survive this crisis and move on. I will try and get as much publicity for the collection as I can and get it announced on the tannoy. You can have £****** from me with pleasure.

Regards best wishes and good luck

Mansell Wallace

Chairman

Chelmsford City FC

20 September 2012

So much has changed since FA Vase glory

Source: West Briton LINK

WAS it really just over five years ago that Truro City skipper Tom Smith lifted the FA Vase at Wembley after that never to be forgotten 3-1 win over AFC Totton before a record crowd of more than 36,000?

Who would have thought then on May 13th 2007 – the greatest day in the club's history – that they would now be fighting a battle for survival after going into administration.

And in a remarkable twist of fate, the two teams meet again at Treyew Road this Saturday in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Back then, City enjoyed the best of everything, but now the players are not being paid and every penny counts with time rapidly running out for the Blue Square Bet South outfit.

Saturday's tie even hung in the balance until Tuesday, when the FA gave permission for the match to be played.

Worries

There had been worries that they would expel City from the competition following the alleged financial involvement of Salisbury City chairman William Harrison-Allan with Truro earlier in the season, raising the question of dual ownership.

But much to relief of Truro and its long suffering supporters, the game will go ahead, a decision which Gareth Howarth of administrators Walsh Taylor said was a "massive boost" for the club as it desperately tries to stay afloat as a buyer is sought.

He added: "The major source of income is gate money and since we have been appointed we have had only one home match."

A win over the Southern League premier division side would alsdo earn City £4,500 in prize money, though whether the FA would release that money is unclear in view of the club's debts.

But with last Saturday's match against Bromley producing the club's biggest gate of the season – 538 – and fans working tirelessly to raise extra funds, with a bucket collection raising more than £1,200, another game at Treyew Road can only boost the club's hopes of a long term future.

While most of the players have agreed to have their wages deferred until the end of October, skipper Jake Ash believes that the players may not wait until then before quitting.

Mr Howarth said: "For any interested parties having big crowds can only make the club more attractive."
He said that while a number of parties had expressed an interest, none had followed that up, but he was still hopeful a sale could be achieved.

And he was full of praise for the efforts the club's supporters and players had made to try and keep the club afloat. "We have just got to keep the momentum going," he said. "I am hopeful of a positive outcome."

Both skipper Jake Ash and manager Lee Hodges have paid tribute to the effort of the club's fans who plan a race night and auction after Saturday's match as well as other fund raising.

Against Bromley a bucket collection realised more than £1,200.

Hodges said: "They have been unbelievable and I would like to thank them on behalf of the staff and players for all they are doing.

"Their commitment and that of the players has been marvellous. They could not have done any more."

City have five survivors from the final, in Jake Ash, Marcus Martin, Joe Broad, Andy Watkins and Stewart Yetton, while only Mike Gosney and Ross Bottomley still play for Totton.

19 September 2012

Truro City Race Night - Sat 22nd September


The staff and players are going to hold a a Race Night in aid of the #savetrurocity fund. The evening will be held on Saturday 22nd September in clubhouse bar after the Truro City v AFC Totton FA Cup 2nd Qualifying tie. We are aiming for the first race to start about 7pm.
 
In advance of the event, we’re looking for sponsorship from people and businesses.
 
Sponsorship is as follows:
 
Sponsor a Horse

Sponsor a horse for £20. There are 56 horses available so it would be great if we could get all these sponsored. In return you will get to name the horse and will be announced as the owner on the night. Should your horse win the race you will win £50 and 2nd place will win £30. Donations dependent, there may also be a prize to accompany the monetary win!
 
Sponsor a Race
There are 8 races available for sponsorship. Sponsorship of a race costs £75.
For this you will receive:
- Full page advert in the race night booklet
- Online recognition on the popular TigerTalk forum
- Your company name called out over the PA on the night by the race night itself.
- Should you wish you will be able to present the winning owner with their prize
 
Sponsorship can be paid as follows:
- By PayPal to paypal.account@walshtaylor.co.uk (please make a note of what you would like to call your horse – nothing too rude!!)
- In person on the Race Night itself
Please email tcfcadmin@googlemail.com if you have any questions about payment or anything in relation to any part of the night.
 
On the night itself there will be 8 races, all of which featuring 8 horses. The first 7 races will take the form of a tote based system whereby a horse costs £3 to back. Should there be 100 bets, for example, half the £300 will go into the fund with the other half split between all those holding a winning ticket.
 
The final race will take the form of an auction race whereby each horse will be sold to the highest bidder. The winning owner will take a whopping 50% of the total raised by the auction.
 
Help Needed!
 
Obviously to host something like this, we will need not only willing gamblers, but some assistance in making it a success. We’d be extremely grateful in the first instance if you could distribute the poster which can be downloaded HERE Spread the word about the evening to anyone and everyone – they don’t have to be supporters! We really want the evening to be a success so the more the merrier.
 
Secondly we will need some help running the bar. Any contributions towards the bar itself (soft and not so soft drinks!) would be gratefully received as we will be running it ourselves and any profit will also go towards the fund. Moreover, should anyone be willing to offer to work behind the bar that would be fantastic!
 
I will post an update towards the middle of the week of where we are at and any more assistance that might be needed.
 
Lots of the squad and staff will be sticking about for the evening, but most of them are terrible gamblers so don’t ask them for tips!!
 
Thanks again guys.

17 September 2012

A big thank you from Jake, TCFC staff and the players

Hello and thank you...

The second part of the above, we are not really sure how to adequately put into words. Some of the gestures, words and actions over the past week have been so overwhelming it is difficult to quantify how to properly say thank you.

To all the fans that gave so generously on Saturday, THANK YOU (does capitals help emphasise the strength of feeling!?). Money for everyone at the moment is not an easy commodity to come by, so for so many people to dig so deep, was incredible. I know all the staff and players felt wholly inadequate in our inability to shake the hand of every person who put money into those buckets. All I will say is, there were some stunned faces when we heard how the collection was going, and if we could have personally thanked everyone, we would have. Needless to say, those that donated money - and you know who you are - thank you from us all. I spoke to lots of fans who wanted no public recognition of what they were doing, and while I won't name names, it won't ever be forgotten.

I will endeavour to get an accurate figure from Saturday's bucket collection but I understand it was somewhere circa £1,250 by 5.30pm. That is seriously generous, especially as we understand that there is even more pledged, as well as the auction to come. Moreover, the PayPal figure currently stands at £370 pounds as well. We really hope these people don't mind being named but we want to publically name and proclaim: Ivor Marshall; Victor Fowl; Colin Skelly; Matt Burt & Wendy Jones. Thank you so much guys; it genuinely does all make a real difference.

The general response has been such that we haven’t had the chance to reply to all the various e-mail’s, texts and phone calls. But that shouldn’t disguise the effect they have had and the level of support from so many different clubs, businesses and individuals. So, thank you again to everyone who has been in touch.

As to the long term situation – everything appears to be moving a bit too slowly. We all hope that this deferral isn’t slowing the process down. As players we have signed the forms which legally carry through to Oct 31st. Realistically, this date is a bit misleading as we are very much operating on a monthly basis. As we stressed, we understand this isn’t something that is going to resolve overnight, but we simply can’t allow it to drag on. The next two weeks are massive for the club and we need some seriously positive news, and we need it as quickly as possible.

Frustratingly, it appears that the Football Conference are still unwilling to release a very large sum of money that is owed to the club, as has been reported in the press. We are led to believe that this money could keep the club running for, at the very least, one month. It seems confusing that the Conference are, presumably, desperate for us to fulfil fixtures and remain trading, but by holding back that money threatening the clubs very existence. Presumably this sort of central funding is focussed on providing clubs with a lifeblood and to support the day to day running? Surely by giving this money to the club it gives it a means to operate and thus make a takeover a more viable proposition? I guess they want that resolution anyway? (these are very much my musings and not the clubs view, I should add...)

We hope that this issue, and the takeover process, begin to show more signs of progress so that all the amazing generosity isn’t in vain.

Rather than bore everyone with even more babble, I will post a separate thread regards a Race Night we are going to hold next Saturday after the game.

Finally, thank you again all so, so much. I know many of the staff and players have never gone away from a defeat feeling as positive as we did on Saturday. The boys put in another brave show and didn’t come up far short again. Next week’s game is another big one, and a crowd equal to or better than Saturday’s would be great. There was a real buzz about Treyew and a tangible sense of communal support and mobility of a cause that people truly care about. I’m sure the FA Cup game will be more of the same.

See you there!

From all the TCFC Staff & Players

Advert for the Totton game




(thanks to Tom Trust and Steve Clark)

Cornish football fraternity lend their backing to Truro

Source: This is Cornwall LINK

Truro City player-manager Lee Hodges poured praise on the hundreds of Cornish football fans who turned up to swell the Treyew Road gate for Saturday's 1-0 Blue Square Bet South defeat to Bromley.

Crisis club City's gate was 538 and, although the home side were undone by a 39th-minute goal from Pierre Joseph-Dubois, Hodges said: "It was brilliant to get another couple of hundred extra people turning up on Saturday, and they could make a huge difference to our future.

"The more support we have, the better it will be for a potential investor, because we really need someone to come in and take the club on now."

Truro host AFC Totton in the FA Cup next Saturday and Hodges is hoping for a similar rise in attendance, and a better result.

The 39-year-old said: "On Saturday against Bromley we switched off for a second at a set-piece and they scored.

"That's all it takes and it was such a shame that after last week's 8-0 defeat at Maidenhead we could not bounce back with a point, especially for all the fans who have come back to support us.

"That would have really made the day extra-special, but at least it was a massive improvement on last week.
"The boys gave it their all, again, and were much more back to their old selves, even though it has been a taxing week for all of us off the field.

"To see so many people around the ground with smiles on their faces is something that will stick with me, even though we could not give them the result they wanted.

"I was pleased in one way, but disappointed in another, if that makes sense," Hodges added.

"The turn-out was brilliant, the result was not, although I do think – but for that second – we were heading for a draw. They [Bromley] have a lot of pace but we contained them, and although they scored Ben Williams hit the bar for us."
Williams powered a header off the woodwork from Les Afful's corner six minutes after the unmarked Joseph-Dubois headed home Michael Malcolm's flag kick.

City were also boosted by goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe's decision to stay at Truro and not join Blue Square Bet North outfit Oxford City. Hodges said: "Tim performed really well again. It's great that he is staying with us and on Saturday he was really positive. I felt for him when the goal went in really because there didn't seem to be anything he could do about it."

Truro City: Sandercombe; Green, Hodges, Hall (Martin 75), Williams; Afful (Carne 90), Broad, Yetton, Cooke; Watkins, Moore.




Jake Ash fears City could fold in two weeks

Source: BBC Sport LINK

Truro City captain Jake Ash says the club could fold in the next two weeks.

His comments come after the side lost 1-0 at home to Bromley in the Blue Square Bet South after Pierre Joseph-Dubois headed a 39th minute winner.

Truro, who are in administration, agreed a wage deferral with their players until the end of October, but Ash says that deal means little in reality.

"That October date is too far away, realistically something has to be tied up by the end of September," Ash said.

"Although we've signed until the end of October we actually asked to do it on a monthly basis," Ash added to BBC Radio Cornwall.

"We actually asked just to take us up to end the end of September. They said there would be much administrative work to re-do the same deferral again in two or three weeks time if we wanted to sign it.

"That deferral doesn't hold us to anything, players can leave the club before the end of October, we're not held to that, it was signed until October to save the administrators a little bit of work.

"If it is tied up that quickly then we can start to make plans to go forward, but I don't think realistically we can last until the end of October."

And Ash says if nothing is agreed it is likely that most of the playing staff will leave by the end of the month.
"Lee (manager Lee Hodges) has asked us to to give us four more games and that takes us to the end of the month and we need something to happen before then.

"It doesn't have to be resolved fully, but even if someone gives us a chunk of money to tide the club over for another month then at least that gives the club a chance to tie all the loose ends up."

16 September 2012

Save Truro City Auction

A number of items have been donated to Truro City fans for auction, which is towards the Save Truro City fund.

If you have any items you wish to donate towards the cause, please see Brian Thompson, Simon Birch, Mark Brent, Dave Grimshaw, Danny Humphrys, Steve Rogers, Colin Carter, Ray Jennings  or Robin Netherton.

So far we have Tom Smiths captain armband worn at the FA Vase final, Signed Truro City shirt by all the players from promotion to the Conference South, Signed by all the players a framed Truro City shirt after the FA Vase semi final against Curzon Ashton which was presented to Ray Rowe, A Tottenham Hotspur 125 year anniversary shirt, autographed photo by Ardilles, Villa and Perryman winning the 1981 FA Cup.

We have many other items, including other footie club shirts, programmes, scarves including a Sweden Versus England in Ukraine scarf, and many many items which you may like to bid for all in the cause of saving OUR club.

The auction will be at this Saturdays game against Totton. If you wish to start bidding before the game for any of the above items, please email me at dgrimuk@yahoo.co.uk and leave your name, contact number and   bid. The bidding for that relevant item will start at that price this Saturday.

If anyone has anything else they wish to donate, please email me above or bring along to this Saturdays game.

Many thanks.

Believe!

Dave Grimshaw  

Truro City FC Needs You!



A message from TISA Vice Chairman Simon Birch, after speaking with the Administrating team before the Bromley game,
''Admin tell me that a crowd of 750 would see us bang on track to keep the club viable through the admin process until a buyer is found. Thats less than we were getting at the begining of last season so its down to us. It will be our fault if admin cant keep the club afloat. With 3 of the next 4 games at home its there for the taking so as Bob Geldof would say......."give us you f'ing money!!!!!!"

We need to push hard to get people back through the turnstiles. If we want OUR club to survive, lets all do our bit.  We have many great fans at Truro with many different attributes. Lets use all our skills and knowledge to keep OUR club afloat. 

We started well by getting 538 through the turnstiles for the Bromley game. That's a start so lets push on and get past the 700 mark. It shouldn't be a problem for the Totton game. It goes without saying what a great day we all had at Wembley.

Tell every man, woman, child, cat and dog to get along to Treyew Road this Saturday. You know it makes sense.

What else would you want to do on a Saturday afternoon?????? Shopping!

Believe!

The Latte Lad


Spot the Difference

Tim's missing shirt.


A HARD-UP soccer club had to beg a fan to return a shirt given by the goalie after a game — because they could not afford a new one.


Keeper Tim Sandercombe, who had just played his last game for Truro City, handed his top to one of the 30 supporters who had travelled from Cornwall to the match in Maidenhead, Berks.

But two days after the 8-0 thrashing, manager Lee Hodges pleaded to get it back in time for today’s Blue Square Bet South game against Bromley.

The next day, fan Brian Thompson presented the yellow jersey to Lee.

Around 15 other fans had offered to buy replacements.

Truro have been docked ten points after going into administration with reported debts of £700,000.


12 September 2012

Response from Jake Ash

WOW!

What a humbling response from everyone. Really has justified the decision and I have spoken to some of the lads this morning and the feedback has really bouyed the group.

We have already had some staggering offers of assistance - from venues for fundraising events, cash donations and even the promise to supply lucozades for Saturday's game from a certain previous Secretary and his wife.

We now have the PayPal account setup so anyone wanting to donate financially can do so that way. Registration with PayPal is very easy - once you have done that you just click 'Send money'. The recipient address is: paypal.account@walshtaylor.co.uk

As players and staff we have access to this account and as a group choose how this money is distributed. If anyone wanting to contribute has a specific desire for it to go to anything in particular let us know. But as a general rule it will merely be distributed via Walsh Taylor and deducted from monthly wage monies outstanding.

I will post updates on where we are before the end of the week.

I suspect Lee will update via City Alerts as to individual decisions, and who has/hasn't signed over the next couple of days.

Once again, and I really mean this, thank you. Truly humbled.

Jake

Calling all Truro City fans

The statement from Club Captain Jake Ash below is both humbling and poignant.  If anyone was in any doubt of the crisis that the Club faces, they shouldn't be now.  The message is clear.  If you can make it on Saturday for the match vs Bromley, then all the gate money will go directly to the players and staff.  Forget about the previous Club management - the Administrator is now in charge and has made pledges to the staff.  Given that the players have not been paid for August and will also go unpaid until the end of October, there will also be a collection at the ground.  Please search your conscience and dig a little deeper to retain our players.

Quote from a TigerTalk regular:

"Those players who have chosen to stay with the club, show just what a professional footballer should be - there for the love of the team and the game, loyal and to play for the fans and the badge, come good or bad. Regardless of the result on Saturday they can expect one heck of a standing ovation from the supporters at the end."

TruroBoy.

A message from the staff and players

From Jake Ash:

I know these forums are sacred to the supporters and I try not to read them (I can’t bear the constant barracking!) but on behalf of the staff and players we feel it is necessary to use this platform on this occasion.

This evening - Tuesday 11th September – several players and staff have signed a 100% wage deferral until the end of October while the administrators seek investment to take the club forward. This will essentially equate to a second successive month for which we will all go unpaid.

It is our understanding that without a large percentage of us agreeing to this, the club would not be a viable entity and would cease to trade.

Needless to say this has been a massive moral and financial decision for everyone at the club. We will lose some players as a result of this, and those that do, I have no doubt will leave with the upmost respect and understanding of everyone associated with the club, including the supporters. It is obvious to everyone the affect of not getting paid has; we have boys who are struggling to meet mortgages; boys who can’t afford to put fuel in their car to get down to home games and staff who are funding basic first aid equipment, pre match meals and half time refreshments through now stretched credit cards. We are not asking for sympathy – we are all incredibly privileged to do what we do, and to receive money in order to do it. But everyone here has done it for the club, and has gone through some horrible days and weeks, because without exception we all care for this football club.

That is why many of us have made the decision to sign the deferrals in order to give the wheels of change some time to turn. The success of this process is entirely out of our hands, other than providing our time in order for a takeover to be a viable proposition. For many of us this will mean making personal and financial sacrifices. But we all want there to be a Truro City Football Club, run properly and carrying the same badge that conveys all the history and pride that we all feel when we represent it.

I must stress that the club is now run solely by the administrators. Anyone who had grievances, for whatever reason, with anyone previously associated with the club, must now know that there is no link or any decision making made by the previous directors. We all respect everything that they tried to do with the club, and I am not going to run anyone down. But that regime is gone, and anyone that pays money through the turnstiles can be assured that the money will go towards helping to safeguard the future of the club by allowing the club to trade for as long as possible to conclude a sale.

Healthy crowds will help extend this period and thereby increase the chances of survival. We are calling on everyone to get themselves, family, friends, enemies, neighbours etc to Treyew on Saturday and get behind a truly loyal bunch of men who are giving their upmost in horrible circumstances to ensure a football club remains, and it’s history ensues. This could be the start of a really exciting new era. Even if it isn’t, at least we know we tried.

We, as players and staff, will do everything we can to give the club a chance with what we do on the field. Saturday wasn’t good enough, but I am sure it was a one off. In the meantime we are personally taking it upon ourselves to organise as much fundraising for the players and staff as our evenings will allow. Any money we do raise will keep the players and staff here in the short term and essentially gives the administrator more time to make a deal happen. The administrator, Kate Breese, has assured us that any money WE raise will ONLY go to the staff and players, 100% of it.

In short, these efforts will be used to directly pay the staff and players. Having spoken to numerous fans I know this is something they have talked about wanting to support. Thanks to my red card (keeper definitely dived!), I will start this with a bucket collection along with the injured crew on Saturday! Plans are also afoot for a golf day (Killiow Golf Club have already offered their course to us – thank you John!) and also a separate evening with a celebrity speaker (and although Yetts regards himself as a celeb, I do mean a proper one) and sit down meal.

Please, please, please – anyone that would want to help organise this or who has any contacts please get in touch via the details below. The administrators are also in the process of setting up a PayPal account so that anyone wanting to buy tickets for these events, can do so from a distance. Whilst we would never expect to meet our wages from these events, even if we can ensure staff and players are able to get to and from games, it would be a great relief.

It would be a real fantastic justification of our decision to see a big crowd on Saturday. It will cement the feeling that the community share our desire to see the Football Club carry in the guise we know it. And long after we as players and staff have left the club, you will still have a team to support on Saturday, playing at a level at which we all know a club in Cornwall should, and sustainably, can.

We really hope that our signing of these deferrals will ensure time for a satisfactory resolution to transpire. We are under no illusions that this may not actually be what happens, and that after the deferrals’ we may be even more out of pocket, but we have to give it a chance. When the deferral period is over we hope a positive decision will be an increasing reality. The longer this goes on, the more difficult it becomes so we all hope those interested in taking over resolve this as quickly as possible.

It goes without saying, and everyone who knows anything about the Truro City will know, that a club can prosper at this level. With the right people in charge, and the support of the community, this can be a real hub for Truro, and Cornwall. It can – without doubt - be a place with the sort of buzz we have experienced at so many other grounds up and down the Country in towns, cities and counties with far fewer patriotic communities than the one we boast.

We just need to get behind it, for as long as we can, and as a group together – players, staff, supporters, community and investors – give it a chance to be the club we know it can be.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.

See you on Saturday!

Jake Ash
07769 210089
tcfcadmin@googlemail.com

P.S. - We know there has been a lack of information coming out over the recent months, and we have been subject to it too. We will do our best to use this forum to keep everyone as up to date as we can.

10 September 2012

City Alerts - Maidenhead and coaching staff update

ALL COACHING STAFF - Lee Hodges, Dave Newton, Ian Leigh and Deba Sidhu - have confirmed that they will stay with the club for at least another month.

TIM SANDERCOMBE (approached by Oxford City) decision expected within two days.

BEN ADLESBURY (Eastbourne Borough approach) decision later this week.  Fitness (knee):  has resumed running, and possibly ready for subs bench this Saturday.

LES AFFUL (forum speculation):  as with all other players, decisions anticipated within next few days.

LEE:  "We had a meeting with the administrator on Thursday and the situation basically boils down to everyone having to decide within the next few days whether or not they are to stay on or leave the club.  I have said to them all that I hope they will choose to stay but that I will obviously understand if they choose to leave.  The situation on the playing side should be a lot clearer by the end of the week.

"I am hopeful that we will be able to field a team for this Saturday (at home to Bromley in league), and it will be really important to get as many supporters as we can  into the ground for that game.  The administrator has explained that with a good gate it should be possible to pay the boys some of that.

LEE on Maidenhead United   8   Truro City   0  

"It was the proverbial game of two halves.  The boys had done fantastically well at the start of the season and they could really have done with a break, or at least to have some fresh faces available to come on, but of course we haven't got any.  They have given it their all, but after the first half at Maidenhead (1-0 at half-time) they just weren't at the races. 

I think everything caught up with them and their minds were elsewhere, which was disappointing.  I said to the lads afterwards that if it does turn out to be the last game for some of them it will have been a very disappointing way to sign off.  I think we will still have some of the first team players available for Saturday, and as I say it is really important now to get as many people as possible in to see that match."

FA CUP Draw

In the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, City have been drawn at home to AFC Totton, on Saturday, September 22, ko 3 pm.  It's a re-match of our 2007 FA Vase Final at Wembley, with £4,500 for the winners.

Mike Truscott, City Alerts

09 September 2012

Annihil8ion


This blog is by Steve who is a Director at Maidenhead United FC. His blog is called The Educated Left Foot.

Interesting reading about Mr Kevin 'Where's Wally' Heaney, from an outsider, away from Truro.

York Road proved to be the venue for Kevin Heaney's chickens to come home to roost as Truro's financial troubles finally spilled over onto the pitch as Maidenhead United annihilated the Cornish club by scoring seven times without reply in the second half. The ex chairman and his Rolls Royce were of course nowhere to be seen with as usual the faithful supporters left to bear witness to the damage Heaney had wreaked on their club.
Although the previous week had seen Truro slip into administration with a subsequent deduction of ten points, and remained under a transfer embargo, they were still able to field most of the team that had started the season in fair form going into the game in tenth place. Thus the first half, following an early Maidenhead blitz, developed into an even match, leaving BBC Radio Cornwall listeners to my regular updates, which punctuated the commentary of Redruth's rugby match, with the hope of taking something from the game. Maidonians unable to attend were disappointingly not afforded the same service as BBC Radio Berkshire felt unable to take up my offer to do the same during their London Irish commentary.
Maidenhead kicked off buzzing from two wins in the week leading up to the game, David Pratt going close in the 4th minute when his shot was parried by Tim Sandercombe. For all the United pressure though, the Truro defence marshalled by manager Lee Hodges, held firm, and as the half passed the mid point City started to come into the game with Billy Lumley being forced to tip a long range Hodges free kick over the bar. 
It was somewhat against the run of play then that with seven minutes to go to the break Reece Tison-Lascaris gave Maidenhead United lead when he collected a pass from Daniel Brown and thumped the ball passed Sandercombe into the back of the net from just outside the penalty area.
Within four minutes of the restart the young midfielder doubled the lead with a trademark dribble round Sandercombe signalling a second half onslaught which saw my Colemanballs going into overdrive on the radio, ably supported by the massed ranks of the MMS.
Ironically, Pratt with five goals already this season, was the only striker not to get on the scoresheet, his next effort being tipped over the bar by Sandercombe before Tison-Lascaris squeezed in this hat trick to make it 3-0 before his usual departure from the pitch on the hour mark.
His replacement Alex Wall picked up where Tison-Lascaris left off by scoring United's fourth shortly after a Harry Pritchard corner was punched off the line by Sandercombe. Martel Powell then put Paul Semakula in to make it 5-0 with twenty two minutes still left to play. 
By this time it was clear that the fight had gone out of the Truro players. Hardly surprising considering they weren't paid on time in August and given the uncertainty of their short term future. They held the line at five though until the final ten minutes when cliches such as "cricket score" and "throw the towel in" were in order.
First up was the stand out goal of the game when Wall was hacked down by Sandercombe. Bobby Behzadi stepped up to take the spot kick and delivered a Panenka to add insult to injury.
Wall then made it seven himself, but after Pritchard was again denied with a finger tip save by Sandercombe, the striker unselfishly spurned the chance for a hat trick himself by unselfishly squaring the ball to Lee Barney to get on the scoresheet for the first time this season in stoppage time. The final whistle left the scoreline forcing the videprinter to use brackets at 8 (eight) - 0.
The Truro team then creditably walked over to their fans to thank them for their support before exiting the field of play to applause from the Maidenhead supporters in that typically British fashion that never quite crosses the line into being patronising.
So was this the last rites for Truro? Will the statistics from this day ultimately be expunged from the record? With league sponsors Blue Square refusing to price Truro's matches this season it seems like the odds are against their survival and really it must be in the club's interest to ultimately reform lower down  the pyramid. However before that happens there will inevitably be much wrangling off the pitch to clear up the mess left by Heaney. The ownership of both club and ground both appear to be shrouded in mystery. The final outcome will surely judge the ex Chairman as a man blinded by his own hubris, who in jeopardising the very existence of the club he ran, trampled on clubs throughout the south of England with his financial doping tactics. He's not the first to have done so, but with the ever increasing financial regulation of non league football will hopefully become a rare breed.

08 September 2012

Players apologise after 8-0 humiliation

Maidenhead Utd 8 Truro City 0

City's turbulent season sunk to a new low as they suffered their heaviest defeat for many years.

Docked ten points on Thursday after the club went into administration, City went into the game at York Road with a minus two points tally and a win would have taken into the plus zone.

However, after trailing 1-0 at the break they fell apart in the second period as the Berkshire side scored seven unanswered goals  to send the visitors to a humiliating defeat.

Sadly, the club's uncertain future at last seems to have caught up with the squad.

Many players are wanted by rival clubs and just how long manager Lee Hodges can keep the squad together is doubtful.

He said: "I will have a chat with them on the bus back and see where we go. We gave up in the second half as the heads went down and there is not many times I have said that about them."

And several of the players apologised for the side's display via Twitter.

Stewart Yetton said: "Absolutely embarrassed by today's result and performance and can only apologise to the fans,"

Dan Green added: "Apologies to the fans for today's performance and result. Not the standards we've set for ourselves. Hope we get chance to put things right.

And keeper Tim Sandercombe: "The fans do not deserve that, loyal and committed beyond what's expected of them, apologies go out to all those who witnessed today's shocker."

City's first half performance was pretty and they were unlucky to go in 1-0 down to a goal just before the break from Reece Tilson-Lascaris.

However, after the interval Tilson-Lascaris quickly struck twice to complete his hat-trick and City then disintegrated with Alex Wall (2), Paul Semakula, Bobby Behzadi (penalty) and Lee Barney all netting.

Truro are next in action at home to Bromley on Saturday.

City: Sandercombe; Green, Williams, Ash, Hodges, Cooke, Kelly, Broad, Yetton, Moore, Afful. Subs (all used): Watkins, Hall. Carne.

Goals: Reece Tilson-Lascaris (38) 1-0, Tilson-Lascaris (48) 2-0, Tilson-Lascaris (57) 3-0, Alex Wall (64) 4-0, Paul Semakula (67) 5-0; Bobby Behzadi (pen 83) 6-0, Alex Wall (87) 7-0, Lee Barney (90) 8-0.

Rhod Mitchell.

07 September 2012

City Alerts - Maidenhead update

My thanks to Ross Reid who tells me he has spoken to Lee this morning for purposes of his City preview piece in tomorrow's Western Morning News.  The squad remains unchanged from the one that travelled to Basingstoke.  Tim Sandercombe (subject of approach from Oxford City) is set to play.  Lee also hopes Dan Green (hamstring) will be available.

In the meantime, if you haven't yet seen it, I urge you to get a copy of yesterday's West Briton, Truro edition, for Richard Augarde's FANTASTIC PICTURE on the back page, showing Lee coming off the pitch after the end of last Saturday's match against Borehamwood. 

This has to be one of the best news pics I've ever seen in over 40 years of media work - a terrific striking image per se plus capturing so much in terms of content, mood and atmosphere and, alas, maybe reflective of something truly historic (NB that's a personal opinion only!!).  Definitely the mother and father of all pics for the scrapbook.

Mike Truscott, Editor, City Alerts

Football club property deals will be investigated

Source: West Briton LINK

A DIRECTOR of Truro City Football Club (TCFC) confirmed an investigation would be carried out into recent property deals at Treyew Road.

The West Briton revealed two weeks ago how the ground had been sold for £2.28 million to a company called JoJo Investco Ltd.

It is unclear what has happened to the income from this deal. Julia Sincock, speaking on behalf of the board of directors at TCFC, said the difficulties faced by the club were due to the national economic decline.

But she added: "However, despite these conditions, the club was able to make some arrangements for long-term investment into the club from the ground redevelopment. The club and its board are extremely disappointed by the way this agreement has been handled and it continues to be investigated and will be considered by the administrator of the club."

Ms Sincock said the club now needed help from "wherever it can get it."

"Whether it is a call to the fans to turn out in numbers on the gates, to the players to continue their great start to the season, or to the staff to keep up their monumental efforts in keeping the club running, this is the lifeblood of the club and is what is needed and appreciated more than ever right now."

Future of Truro City FC remains in the balance

Source West Briton.

TRURO City Football Club (TCFC) is facing a brutal battle for survival amid financial chaos.

The club has had "the noose lifted from its neck" but will automatically have ten points deducted following a decision to go into administration – its "only option" according to the firm brought in to sort out the mess.

Administrators will now try to keep it in good enough condition to attract a buyer.

Mystery surrounds recent activity at TCFC and an investigation will be launched into July's sale of the Treyew Road ground for £2.28 million. A winding up order in the High Court from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on Monday would have ended the club but this was adjourned for 14 days following the issue of the administration application.

Administrators say it is now unlikely to be heard.

Kate Breese, of Walsh Taylor, has been appointed administrator and told the West Briton: "Despite the immediate ten-point deduction, the fans should see this as a positive step as it was the only option for the directors in order to prevent the club from being wound up and forced to re-form well down the leagues.

"Although far from secure, the club is in a much less precarious state than a few days ago.

"The club will have a breathing space to regroup, reorganise and hopefully find a new buyer that will be able to buy the club in compliance with the Football Conference Rules and maintain its position in the Football Conference."

Under the patronage of property developer Kevin Heaney the club was promoted a record-breaking five times in six seasons and won the FA Vase at Wembley.

Ms Breese insisted the club remained "a very attractive proposition" and appealed to investors to get in touch.

"The noose has been lifted from the club's neck, it now just needs a person or persons to carry it to safety," she said.

Mr Heaney resigned as chairman citing "illness" on August 24, the day he was declared bankrupt at Truro County Court.

Dennis Strudwick, manager of the Football Conference said he was "extremely saddened" on hearing the club was going into administration.

06 September 2012

Truro City Reserves expect to be deducted ten points as well

Source: Simon Larkins Falmouth Packet

It is expected that Truro City Reserves will be deducted ten points following the news that the club has gone into administration on Tuesday.

The club's reserve side currently play in the Carlsberg SW Peninsula League division one west and have lost their opening two games away at Sticker and Vospers Oak Villa.

While the CSWPL officials have not said anything with regards to a points deduction, the Packet Sport understands that the same rules will apply for the Peninsula League as it does for the Conference South.
An official from the Carlsberg SW Peninsula League did issue a statement on Friday saying: "The South West Peninsula Football League Ltd are aware of press reports and reaction regarding Truro City appointing adminstrators to deal with the clubs internal issues.

"Nobody from Truro City has contacted this league in this respect and therefore we await due notification, that is required under league rules, once the adminstrator has been appointed.

"There are issues that will have to be dealt with at this level, as well as Conference level, if the club is placed into adminstration but we will deal with those matters as and when they occur."

FURTHER TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE, THE RESERVES HAVE NOW HAD TEN POINTS DEDUCTED:

Truro City Reserves have been docked ten points by the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League following confirmation today that the club has moved into administration.

Peninsula League company secretary Phil Hiscox issued a statement which read: "The South West Peninsula Football League Ltd has been advised officially that Truro City Football Club is subject to an insolvency event following the appointment of an Administrator on Tuesday, 4th September 2012.

"In accordance with Competition Rules relating to 'Sporting Sanctions' the club has had ten (10) points deducted from its league table score in the Carlsberg SW Peninsula West Division.

"This sanction is subject to Appeal but a club may only Appeal on the ground that the insolvency proceedings arose solely as a result of a Force Majeure event.

"Such Appeal must be submitted within seven (7) days of the date of notification of the sanction."
Mr Hiscox said the decision had been taken following advice from the Football Association and acting onlu after the Football Conference imposed the same penalty earlier in the day.

City's reserves lost their opening two games in the Peninsula League's division one west, so they are now officially on minus ten points.

FA Conference hand Truro City points deduction

Source: F A Conference LINK
 
The Football Conference has been advised officially that Truro City Football Club is subject to an insolvency event following the appointment of an Administrator on Tuesday, 4th September 2012. 
 
In accordance with Competition Rules relating to‘Sporting Sanctions’ the club has had ten (10) points deducted from its league table score in the Blue Square Bet South. 
 
This sanction is subject to Appeal but a club may only Appeal on the ground that the insolvency proceedings arose solely as a result of a Force Majeure event. 
 
Such Appeal must be submitted within seven (7) days of the date of notification of the sanction.

Hodges fears losing players as other clubs circle

Source: Western Morning News

Lee Hodges fears his already threadbare Truro City squad could be about to disintegrate after the club entered administration this week.

Already, goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe appears to be on the brink of leaving, after Blue Square North side Oxford City put in seven days' notice of approach for the Truro number one.

Hodges expects that if the goalkeeper decides to leave the financially-stricken Blue Square South club, then more could swiftly follow him.
Tim Sandercombe could leave

"I cannot blame him if he decides to go," said a despondent Hodges. "He does not want to go, but he wants to get paid."

If Sandercombe does depart, then reserve team goalkeeper Luke Payne will probably take over between the sticks.

Hodges has already revealed that clubs are after his better players and believes there could be a mass exodus.

"I think if one or two start to go the rest could follow," he said.

So far, the players have remained remarkably loyal despite the seemingly never ending financial turmoil at the club. Their performances have been exemplary, but there is surely only so long that their patience will last if they are not being paid.

With the club going into administration there will be little, if any, money available.

And if Hodges is unable to field a competitive side, then he could well follow the players out of the door, along with his background staff.

But he is still hoping that it won't come to that, with City dropping to minus-two points when the ten point deduction is officially enforced, leaving them seven points from safety.

That is far from an insurmountable situation with a full squad, but any major departures will surely lead the club into freefall and near certain relegation.

"Hopefully someone will come in with some money so we can take club the club forward," he said.
With the club under a transfer embargo they can only bring in non-contract players and not pay them anything, which means it will be virtually impossible to bring in suitable reinforcements.

On Tuesday they travelled with just 14 players to Basingstoke Town, where they lost 3-2, and Dan Green suffered a suspected hamstring problem which makes him a doubt for Saturday's trip to Maidenhead. It is a grim situation and Hodges, who has worked miracles to keep the team competitive, admits he feels "let down".

But he has nothing but praise for the players. "They have been brilliant throughout," he said. "I could not have asked for anything more."