Helston Athletic v Clevedon Town

Helston Athletic Football Club - Founded 1896

CLUB HONOURS

Welcome to Kellaway Park, the home of ‘The Blues’ of Helston Athletic Football Club.

The 22/23 season was without doubt the club’s most successful of recent times, if not that of any in the clubs one hundred and twenty seven year history.

Whilst progressing further in The FA Cup than ever before in addition to completing a Cornwall Senior Cup and Western League Les Phillips Cup double exceeded expectations, an early FA Vase exit along with finishing sixth in the league has given room for yet further gains to be achieved.

Away from the flagship the wider club triumphed in three additional county cup competitions whilst finishing as runners up in a further two. Several youth teams were also crowned league and / or league cup champions.

Win or lose the club and town remain proud of everyone who represented Helston Athletic Football Club last season.

As a club we continue to strive for continued improvement both on and off the field of play. Over the forthcoming months we hope the results of the dedication and hard work of those who give up so much of their time will continue to enhance your match day experience whether you are a player, an official or a spectator.

Compliance has become ever more important to help ensure everybody enjoys their football in the safest of environments. Helston Athletic Football Club are therefore pleased to share that it was recently awarded an England Football Accredited Club 3* rating. The award reflects the club’s commitment to the future of football within our local community.

As always, the club remains extremely grateful for the valuable contributions of the numerous organisations, businesses and volunteers who continue to support us. Without your individual support running a successful football club for all ages would be impossible –thank you.

Finally, we hope you enjoy your visit to Kellaway Park today, so much so that you return very soon.

Here’s to another successful year of footballing action and for all things Helston.

Good Afternoon One & All,

In what will go down in the record books as one of the greatest days in the one hundred and twenty eight year history of Helston Athletic Football Club, may I welcome the players, officials and supporters of Clevedon Town to Kellaway Park. An extended welcome also to our match officials David Bartlam, Graham Rugg and Keith Butler.

Having competed in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division for the past three seasons, to have secured the league title on Tuesday evening having already played six matches since the start of April was a moment of ecstasy and relief. Having topped the table for several weeks, defeat away at Wellington earlier in the month put greater emphasis and pressure on the matches that remained, all but one against teams also battling for the title or to secure a play-off place. A disappointing first half display at The Mill Road Stadium Barnstaple was to follow but whatever was said at half-time did the trick. We headed home that evening with a well deserved point and since then have never looked back with hard earned victories against Falmouth Town, Buckland Athletic and Torpoint Athletic. Congratulations to Matt, Dan and the squad.

In addition to today’s opponents and match officials, it's a pleasure to welcome this afternoon’s Toolstation Western League Trophy Presentation Party to Kellaway Park, Brian Beer (President), John Pool (Chairman) and Eric Howe (Director). On behalf of Helston Athletic, thank you for giving up your time to travel to Helston. We hope you enjoy your afternoon as much as we are planning to enjoy ours

Today’s post match trophy presentation will see the closing of the another chapter in the history of The Blues but with great excitement that Kellaway Park will be the home of Southern League Division 1 South football next season. To keep up to date on our preseason preparations, be sure to keep a close eye on the likes of X (Twitter) and Facebook

Finally for today I would like to sign off recording a huge thank you to everyone whose has represented and / or supported the club this season. A special mention to all sponsors and advertisers along with those who give up their time to ensure Helston Athletic Football Club continues to establish itself as a growing football force and a club very much at the heart of the community.

Wishing all a day remember followed by an enjoyable and relaxing closed season. Most importantly we look forward to welcoming everyone back for the new season when 'little old’ Helston Athletic will be playing step 4 football.

Paul Hendy (Chairman)

Today’s Fixtures

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Barnstaple Town v Buckland Athletic

Bridgwater United v Millbrook

Brixham v Wellington

Falmouth Town v Oldland Abbotonians

Helston Athletic v Clevedon Town

Ilfracombe Town v Street

Nailsea & Tickenham v Torpoint Athletic

Saltash United v Wellington

Toolstation Western League Division One

AEK Boco v Wells City

Bishop Sutton v Bitton

Brislington v Warminster Town

Cheddar v Cadbury Heath

Gillingham Town v Cribbs

Keynsham Town v Wincanton Town

Odd Down v Hengrove Athletic

Portishead Town v Hallen

Interest in promotion from the Premier Division of the Toolstation Western League will be extended from the top two places to the top five, in the 2023/24 season. The Football Association have announced that next season, there will be a fourteam Play-Off in each of the sixteen Step 5 divisions, the level of the non-league pyramid occupied by the Western Leagues Premier Division, guaranteeing a second promotion place into the Southern League. Last season, Saltash United were denied promotion by Bristol Manor Farm, who managed to retain their Southern League status, defeating their Western League rivals at the Creek.

The FA’s proposals for promotion and relegation, announced in March 2023, have signalled that the inter-step play off is a thing of the past, with Western League Clubs now competing against each other for a playoff place, subject to their facilities meeting ground grading requirements.

Next season, two sides are set to be relegated from the Southern League Division One South, as the FA seek to increase the divisional size at Step 4 to 22 Clubs per division. The FA’s latest reorganisation is good news for Western League Premier Division Clubs as only one side will be liable for relegation next season. From the 2024/25 season, the FA have announced their intention that four Clubs will be relegated from Southern League Division One South, along with the other seven divisions that cover the country at Step 4.

However, the future of the Western League is uncertain going into the 2024/25 season, with an FA working group currently looking into the future structure of Step 5 and 6 football in the South West, following the collapse of the merger between the South West Peninsula League and the Western League, earlier this year.

Should the FA undertake a reorganisation of football in the South West and create an additional Step 5 Division to address the considerable travel distances Clubs currently face, this may impact both how and how many sides are promoted and relegated across the region.

Women’s Team Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

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South West Women’s Regional Football League (Western Div.)

Development 1 Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

St PIRAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (WEST)

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ST PIRAN LEAGUE DIVISION 1 (WEST)

Development II

Table 2023/2024

PIRAN LEAGUE DIVISION 1 (WEST)

ST

T O D A Y S S Q U A D

HELSTON ATHLETIC FC

Blue & White shirts

Blue & White shorts

Blue socks

Kyle MOORE (GK)

Dave BARKER

Callum MARTINDALE

Harrison JEWELL (c)

Jordan BENTLEY

Aaron BENTLEY

Callum O’BRIEN

Steve COLWELL

Sam CARTER

Jacob SMITH

Tom PAYNE

Kai CORNISH

Rikki SHEPHERD

Curtis DAMERELL

Greg EASTMAN

Jamie SIMMONDS

Manager

Coach

Matt CUSACK

Dan HARRISON

Assistant Coach Dan BUA-ROBERTS

GK Coach

Physio

Martyn DAUGHTERY

Jaimie OSBORNE

Referee

David BARTLAM

Purple & Pink shirts

Pink shorts

Purple socks

James DUNN (GK)

Charles LOVELL (GK)

Sam BERESFORD

Alex CAMM

Syd CAMPER (c)

Ethan CROSSLEY

Glen HAYER

Keiran IRELAND

Sol KENT

Freddie KING

Callum KINGDON

Elliot NICHOLSON

Brad PROBERT

Owen PUNSELIE

Caleb SELWAY

Joe TEALL

Harlee VOZZA

James WAKEFIELD

Henry WESTLAKE

Manager Alex WHITE

Assistant Ryan KING

Assistant Mark SELWAY

Coach Adam VENTON

Physio Hannah LEWIS

T O D A Y S S

Q U A D

Assistants

Graham RUGG

Keith BUTLER

FOCUS ON -

CLEVEDON TOWN FC

Clevedon FC are one of the oldest clubs in the West Country and were founder members of the Western League in 1892, having played friendlies and in county competitions up to that point. They only stayed in the Western League for 3 seasons before dropping into local leagues until returning for a second spell up until World War One. They played their early matches at the local cricket ground at Dial Hill before moving to a new site at Old Street (later named Teignmouth Road) in 1895, remaining there until 1992.

After the Great War, they played in the Bristol & District and Bristol & Suburban Leagues before moving to the more senior Somerset Senior League in 1933, staying there until the outbreak of the Second World War. They continued to play throughout the war years, mainly in local leagues, before returning to the Western League after the war, remaining there, other than for one spell away, until they won the League title for the first time ever in 1992/93, when they were elected to the Southern League.

The period after World War 2 was to be one of their best spells and they achieved some national recognition for their exploits in the FA Amateur Cup during the 1950’s in particular. For a small West Country club they enjoyed many excellent runs in that competition, playing some of the then giants of the amateur game such as Harwich and Parkeston, Pegasus and Billingham Synthonia, even enjoying a cameo appearance on the emerging television network, with notable victories being achieved against Salisbury, Briggs Sports and Ilford.

It was in cup competitions that Clevedon had already gained success and they won the Somerset Senior Cup several times throughout their early history, going on to win the more senior Somerset Premier Cup as well in the 1980’s and 90’s.

Clevedon spent much of their history playing at junior level, during their early years and in the 1960’s, or in the more senior Western League competition. However they finally achieved the next stage of their development when they won the Western League in 1992/93 and were promoted to the Southern League.

FOCUS ON -

CLEVEDON TOWN FC

The 1992/93 season also saw them move home for the first time in nearly a century when they moved to a purpose built stadium, The Hand Stadium, named after the Hand family who had been instrumental in the running of the club from the 1890’s.

In their first season at The Hand they went unbeaten and took their first Western League title, in front of an average gate of 421, breaking all kinds of scoring records on the way.

In their first ever season in the Southern League they finished in a very creditable fifth place under manager Steve Fey, all the more remarkable when considering that he took over the side in June with just three players remaining from the championship squad.

The club settled into the Southern League and the 1998/99 season saw them win the Midlands Division and gain promotion to the Premier Division, where they remained for two seasons before suffering relegation.

The club again gained promotion to the Premier Division under manager Phil Bater in 2006/07 and, in the same season, reached the 1st Round of the F A Cup for the first time in their long history, losing out to Chester City in front of a club record crowd of 2,261 at The Hand Stadium.

However, in common with many clubs, gates and income gradually fell and the club slipped back into Division One in 2009/10. Worse was to follow in summer 2011 when The Hand Stadium was sold outright and the club found themselves as tenants of their former home.

There was however some success to cheer in 2011/12 when the club won the Red Insure Southern League Cup beating Premier Division team Banbury United 2-1 on aggregate under manager Micky Bell.

Despite finishing 18th in 2014/15 Clevedon Town were demoted back to the Western League due to problems with their floodlights but the club is looking to build new foundations and emerge on a more stable basis.

In October 2015 a sponsorship deal was agreed with a personal fitness company and the Hand Stadium was renamed The Everyone Active Stadium.

Player Profiles...

Kyle MOORE (GK). KylejoineduspartwaythroughtheseasonfromPlymouth Parkwayandwaspartoftheteamthatwonbacktobackpromotions.Anexcellent shotstopperanddistributoroftheball,he’lladdgreatvaluetoournewcampaign.

Jordan BENTLEY. Jordanentershis3rdseasonwiththeclub.Hecontinuestobea dominantCBwhocanplaywithindifferentformations.andwaspartofourcupdoublesuccessinthepreviouscampaign.

Aaron BENTLEY. Aaronentershis3rdseasonwiththeclub.Heisatechnicallyefficientdefenderwithattributestoplayinotherpositions.Aaronhasanexcellentfootballpedigreeandhasoperatedathigherlevels.

Harrison JEWELL (Capt) Anexceptionalseasonlastyear,HputinmanyM.O.Mperformancesandwon2ofourendofseasonawards.AninfluentialCBwhohasalso beenmadecaptainforthiscampaign.

Callum O’BRIEN. Athrowbacktohowdefendersusedtobe,nononsenseandhard hitting.Lethalatsetplaysandcanplayonthedeckaswell.Deceptivelyquickover 10-15metres.

Callum MARTINDALE. Callumisatechnicallygiftedleftbackwhohasbrought addedqualitytoourlefthandside.CallumhasenjoyedspellsatTauntonTown,PlymouthParkwayandSaltashUnitedwherehepreviouslyworkedwiththemanager. Expecttoseehimimpactinggamesatbothendsofthepitch.

Dave BARKER. Hassetthestandardforrightsidedfullbacks/wingbacksoverthe pastfiveyears.Barksregularlychipsinwithdoublefigureseachseason,aremarkablestatgivenhisposition.Heactuallygrabbeda90thminutewinnerhereforhis formerclubSaltashlastseason.Hewillbringvalueatbothendsofthepitchwith addedleadershipqualities.

Tom PAYNE. Payneyhadanexceptionalcampaignlastseason.Hechippedinwith 15goalsand15assistsfrommidfield,andscoredinthefirstofourtwocupfinal triumphslastcampaign.

Greg EASTMAN. GregjoinsusfromWadebridgeTownandhasalreadyimpressed onthetrainingground.Aleftfootedtechnicianadeptatplayingasabasemidfielder orasanumber8.Wehavehighhopesforhimmovingforward.

Player Profiles...

Jacob SMITH. Theyoungestofoursummersignings.Playedthemostnumberof gamesforTorpointlastseasonasabasemidfielder.Hasworkedwiththemanager beforeatPlymouthParkway.Hasputinsomeimpressiveperformancesinpreseasonandcontinuestoadoptandexcellentapproachonthetrainingground.

Stevie COLWELL. Steviehasoperatedathigherlevelshavingpreviouslyplayed withWeymouth,Tivertonandmorerecently,PlymouthParkway.Aballplaying midfielderwithexceptionaltechnicalandtacticalquality.

Tyler ELLIOTT. Tyisaversatileplayerthatcanoperateinmanypositionswithin theteam.Lastseasonhewasregularlyimpactinggamesfromwiderpositions.He hasaterrificworkethicandappetiteforthegame.

Kai CORNISH. Kaihasnowcompletedhisuniversitystudiesandthereforefeelslike anewsigning.Anaccomplisheddribblerthatcanimpactsgamesinthefinalthird. Wearehopefulitwillbeabigcampaignforhim.

Sam CARTER. Cart’sseasonhadliftoffaroundSeptemberlastcampaign.Hefound himselfamongstthegoalsandassistsfromanattackingmidfieldposition.Extremelyathletic,Cartswillbelookingtobuildonhissuccessfulcampaignlasttime around.

Jordan COPP. Jordanisoneofthemosttechnicallygiftedplayersthemanagerhas workedwith.HebringsbagsofexperienceandpedigreehavingoperatedatStep2 withWeymouth.Anattackingplayerofexceptionalqualitywhocanoperatewide orcentrally.Hecreated18assistsinthelastcampaign.

Rikki SHEPHERD. Rikkiisalightningquickstrikerwhofinishedtopscorerlast campaignwith26goals.Heprovedabiggameplayerscoringinbothofourcup winningfinals.Weareexpectingmorebigthingsthisseason.

Jamie SIMMONDS. Themanagerhonestlydoesn’tknowhowthisladgetsthrough eachday!Asidefromthat,heisstartingtoflourishasafootballerinthisenvironmentandismoreregularlyimpactinggamesinoffensivepositions.Jamieisoneof thebesttechniciansintheteamandweareexpectingbigthingsfromhimthisseason.

Curtis DAMERELL. AnothermanagerdescribedCurtisas‘thecompletenumber9’. HewasjointtopscorerintheWesternLeaguelastseason.Curtishashadaslower starttothepre-seasonduetoinjury.Howeverheisnowwellontheroadtorecoveryandisgettingbetterallthetimeonthetraininggroundandinmatches.Expect himtoaddhugevaluetothefrontlinethisseason.

Helston Athletic is a well established Community based football club offering all that visit a warm and friendly welcome. The Club’s ground, Kellaway Park, offers great playing and clubhouse facilities.

In recent years, the Club has been successful both on and off the pitch and, as a result, we are now looking for additional people to join our team. Not the one ON the pitch but the one OFF it. The team behind the team, if that makes sense.

We are looking for anyone that feels that they can contribute whether it be in a professional, administrative or hands on role.

With matchdays becoming ever more popular, we are looking to volunteers to support our hospitality team, stewards, selling draw tickets, working on the gates or even just helping to tidy up after the game. You’ll get to watch the football free of charge but better still, you’ll be joining a small team of dedicated volunteers that make Helston Athletic Football club extra special.

If you can help for only a few hours per month, that would be fantastic.

If you feel this could be for you, please email chairman Paul Hendy at paul.m.hendy@btinternet.com or call him on 07740 812555.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

A guide to away games this season in the Western League Premier Division

&

(Mileages obtained from theaa.com route planner)

Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

Date Opponents Ven. Res. Att. Scorers

Sat 29 Jul Wellington

Tue 1 Aug

Sat 5 Aug

United

Sat 12 Aug Bridgwater Utd

Wed 16 AugSt. Blazey

D 2-2 168 Shepherd, Wilson

W 4-0 247 Shepherd (2), O’Brien, Damerell

W 3-1 85 A Bentley, Simmonds, Damerell

W 5-1157 Copp (2), Wilson (2), Shepherd

1-0175

Sep

9 Sep

5-1180 Damerell (3), Copp, Wilson Sat 16 Sep

4-2

Fixtures & Results 2023/2024