Helston Athletic Football Club
Founded 1896
CLUB HONOURS
SW Peninsula League Div 1 West Champions 2014/15
Runners-up 2011/12, 2012/13
Cornwall Combination League Champions 1987/88, 2000/01, 2010/11, 2021/22
Trelawny League D1 winners 2016/17
D2 r/up 2015/16
D3 r/up 2014/15
D5 r/up 2012/13
Cornwall Veterans League D1 winners 2021/22
D2 winners 2020/21
Cornwall Women’s Football Lg. Winners 2020/21
R/up 2016/17
Cornwall Senior Cup Winners 1936/37
R/up 2012/13
Cornwall Junior Cup Winners 2013/14
Cornwall Women’s Cup Winners 2021/22
Cornwall Charity Cup Winners 1937/38, 1960/61, 1961/62
R/up 1935/36, 1951/52
Cornwall Senior Lg. Herald Cup Winners 1936/37, 1937/38, 1939/40
R/up 1938/39
Cornwall Combination Lg. Cup Winners 2021/22
R/up 1974/75, 2002/03, 2007/08
Cornwall Sunday Cup Winners 2021/22
Cornwall Veterans League Cup Winners 2021/22
Arthur Pearce Cup Winners 2013/14
Lockhart Cup Winners 2015/16
League Cup Winners 2016/17
Kellaway Park, Clodgey Lane, Helston, Cornwall TR13 8PJ
All items subject to match day availability
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Good Afternoon One & All,
Following last Saturdays win over Keynsham Town it's great to be at home for a second successive weekend, this time welcoming the players, officials and supporters of Ashton and Backwell United to Kellaway Park. As always we also welcome our match officials, who this week are Stephen McCulloch, Sam Doble and Scott Coutts.
Having hit five without reply against our visitors away from home last season, the home fixture was a much tighter affair with Helston narrowly coming out on top by three goals to two. For those that remember, Ashton’s goals came from the substitutes Charlie and Connor Saunders, both of whom have again been named in today’s travelling squad.
Turning away from this afternoons match, what a great all round weekend it was for ’The Blues’ last week. In addition to the Firsts, the Development / 3rd team squad returned home having secured three points with a single goal victory over Hayle Reserves, whilst on Sunday Helston Women maintained their 100% league record with a four goal to one victory away to Mousehole.
On to Monday and what a battling performance from Helston U18’s who twice came from behind to beat Kernow Youth League title rivals St Blazey here at Kellaway. As they say "the match had it all”…. seven goals, a penalty, even a St Blazey red card. There were a number of outstanding performances from Helston’s young guns in particular Man of the Match Sam Pallet and double goal scorer Ross Dunstan. I'm delighted to share that Ross has also been named in this afternoons squad.
After today I’m afraid there is no further footballing action here at Kellaway until next Saturday when The Reserves take on Mousehole Reserves in The Kernow Stone St Pirans League KO 3:00pm
Here’s wishing all an enjoyable afternoon and as always thank you for your attendance and support.
Paul Hendy (Chairman) Ross Dunstan - Helston u18named in this afternoon’s squad. Photo courtesy of JQ PhotographyToolstation Western League Fixtures
Saturday 28th January 2023
FA Vase
Bridgwater United v Erith Town
Buckland Athletic v Ascot United
Clevedon Town v Harefield United Premier Division
Cadbury Heath v Saltash United
Falmouth Town v Ilfracombe Town
Helston Athletic v Ashton & Backwell United
Millbrook v Wellington
Shepton Mallet Town v Torpoint Athletic
Sherborne Town v Barnstaple Town
Street v Mousehole
Welton Rovers v Keynsham Town
Toolstation Western League Table
A guide to away games this season in the Western League Premier Division
(Mileages obtained from theaa.com route planner)
Reserves League Table 2022/23
Reserves Fixtures & Results 2022/23
St PIRAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE WEST DIVISION
HELSTON ATHLETIC
Blue & White shirts
Blue shorts
Blue socks
Kyle MOORE (GK)
Reece SHANLEY
Jordan BENTLEY
Aaron BENTLEY
Fred WALTER
Harrison JEWELL
Teigan ROSENQUEST
Tom PAYNE
Steve COLWELL
Sam CARTER
Matt BYE
Jordan COPP
Tyler ELLIOTT
Rubin WILSON
Rikki SHEPHERD
Ross DUNSTAN
Liam EDDY
Manager Matt CUSACK
Asst. Manager Dan HARRISON
Coach Dan BUA ROBERTS
Goalkeeper Coach Martyn DAUGHTERY
Physio Jaimie OSBORNE
Referee Stephen McCULLOCH
ASHTON & BACKWELL
Yellow shirts
Yellow shorts
Yellow socks
Tom ROBERTS
Lewis COOMBES
Tom ANTHONY
Luke NEWMAN
Zak FORD
Harry WALKER
Reece HEDGES
Joe BISHOP
Tom PRESS
Connor SAUNDERS
Joe CATTERMOLE
Lewis HEDGES
James WHITE
Charlie SAUNDERS
Alfie CUMMINGS
Miles HARDIDGE
Joe BANKS
Shae BENNINGTON MANNINGS
Kitan JAIYEOBA
Manager Tony BEECHAM
Assistant Ryan PERRETT
Physio Sam CAREY Assistants
Samuel DOBLE
Scott COUTTS
T O D A Y S S Q U A D
ASHTON & BACKWELL UNITED
Ashton & Backwell United was formed in June 2010 when a merger was agreed between Backwell United and the Senior and Youth sections of Ashton Boys. This was driven by myself (Mike Thomas) Jim Biggins (the new club’s 1st chairman), Matt Southern and Ian Jones. During the previous season (09/10), the Ashton Boys Youth side (managed by Jim) played at Backwell as tenants to enable them to participate in the Somerset Floodlight Youth League as Ashton FC (Backwell).
They enjoyed a successful 1st season in the SFYL finishing as Runners-up to Clevedon Town. I could see that Backwell FC were struggling on and off the pitch and recognized the potential of forming stronger ties, in terms of producing future players and benefiting from extra help in the general running of the football club.
I had always wanted the chance to provide a football pathway from Ashton Juniors through to adult football with a firm belief that they could stem the flow of talented players leaving the fold if we could offer a decent level of football at a ground that had the potential to allow progression through promotion. Ashton & Backwell United FC came into existence.
The Ashton FC colours of Maroon and Blue were adopted as was the Backwell United nickname “the Stags” which was incorporated into the new club’s crest along with the Moto “Ubi Concordia ibi Victoria” which translates as “Where is the Unity, There is the Victory”. Ashton & Backwell United form part of the Ashton FC group alongside Ashton Boys and Ashton Girls and collectively they hold the FA Charter Standard “Community Club” status.
The club’s first season saw the first team reach the final of the Somerset County League Cup where they lost out to a last minute penalty against Shirehampton. The Youth team ensured that there was some silverware however finishing as Champions of the SFYL North Division and securing the clubs first promotion, a team that would form the basis of 1st team squads in years to come. .
In 12/13, under the management of Shane Smith a 3rd place finish behind Nailsea United and Minehead was enough to secure promotion to Toolstation Western League Division 1. 2013/14 was a season of consolidation, adjusting to life in the Toolstation Western League, former Ashton Boys manager, Rich Coombes was appointed Manager for the 14/15 season and the club improved to an 8th place finish.
ASHTON & BACKWELL UNITED
The Reserves were beaten finalists in the Somerset County Div2 Cup. The same fate befell the U21s, however, this was their only defeat of the season as they ran away with the U21 Combination title.
Coomber continued to keep the club as a very competitive top 8 side, before handing the reigns over to his assistants Paul Waring and Rich Ford for the 2017/18 campaign. For various reasons the first half of the season was a struggle, but a vast improvement February onwards saw the under achieving side climb to safety.
June 2018 saw the significant appointment of Stuart Jones, inheriting a good group that were maturing into experienced Western league players, added some quality new recruits, we climbed to 4th place. The following 2 seasons saw Stu’s side very placed around the top 4 and a squad ready to push on for promotion but to be denied by the Covid pandemic. Stuart decided to step down in April 2021 and in may the club were promoted to the Premier Division of the Toolstation Western league on a points per game basis, therefore finishing 2nd behind Calne Town and above Corsham, following the F.A’s national restructure of steps 5 and 6. September 2021 the club appoint Tony Beecham as new 1st team manager.
Backwell United formed in 1911 and played at the Recreation Ground from 1947. They moved into the Somerset Senior League in 1970, being crowned Champions in 77-78 and again from 79-80 through to 82-83. Elected to the Western League in 83-84 and finished runners up in 89-90 though missed out on promotion as they could not obtain planning for floodlights. After appeal lights were in place to allow them to take their place in the Premier Division in 93-94. The Stags progressed to the 5th round of the FA Vase in 04-05 but a change of Manager and exodus of players resulted in a last place finish and relegation to Division 1 in 05-06. Relegated to the Somerset County League 0708.
Ashton Boys was founded in 1994 by Terry Hazel. The club started on Greville Smyth Park in the shadow of Ashton Gate Stadium. The club developed to become one of the largest in the country with 37 teams and over 400 players per season. The ethos of Football For All saw the club regularly run two or even three teams per age group.
An Ashton Girls and Senior section were formed before the latter broke away to join the Ashton & Backwell United setup. The club have produced a number of Championship and Cup winning teams.
Development League Table 2022/23
Development Fixtures & Results 2022/23
LWC DRINKS CORNWALL COMBINATION LEAGUE
Player Profiles...
Cory HARVEY.Coryhasexcellentpedigreeandhasattractedattentionfrom higherleagueclubs.Heisanexcellentshotstopper&hisdistributionissecondto none.
Isaac BURDON. Isaacisaversatiledefenderthatcanplayleft,right¢rally acrossvarioussystems.He’spreviouslyworkedwiththemanageratPlymouth Parkwayandisratedhighly.
Josh STOREY (Capt). Joshhasrecentlybeenappointedclubcaptain.Aballplayingcentrebackandanexcellentleaderonandoffthepitch.
Jordan BENTLEY.
Jordancametotheclublastseasonandhasexcellentexperiencewithinthegame havingoperatedathigherlevels.Adominantcentrebackwhocanmixuphis game.
Aaron BENTLEY. Aaronjoinedtheclubatthebackendoflastseason.Heisa commandingcentrebackandabigthreatfromsetplays.Aaronhasagoodfootballpedigreeandhasoperatedathigherlevels.
Freddie WALTER. FredjoinedtheclubfromneighbouringWendronandhasenjoyedapositivepre-season.Heiscomfortableinarangeofdefensivepositions andcanalsoofferathreatgoingforward.
Harrison JEWELL. HarrisoncamethroughtheyouthranksatHelstonandshows promiseacrossmanypositions.Hisversatilityishisstrengthandhecanoperate acrossthedefenceandinmidfield.
Stevie COLWELL. Steviehasoperatedathigherlevelshavingpreviouslyplayed withWeymouth,Tivertonandmorerecently,PlymouthParkway.Aballplaying midfielderwithexceptionaltechnicalandtacticalquality.
Matty BYE. Mattybringsawealthofexperienceandqualitytothemidfieldunit. Heisahighlyrespectedleaderonthepitchandchipsinwithgoalsandassists.
Tom PAYNE. PayneyhasjoinedtheclubathispeakfromMillbrook.Lastseason, hecappedafinecampaignbybeingselectedfortheCornwallsquad.Aversatile midfielderwithexcellentleadershipskillsanddeadballdelivery.Expecttosee himimpactinggamesthisseason.
Player Profiles...
Tyler ELLIOTT.Tylerisanotherplayerthathasoperatedathigherlevelsoffootballandhasexcellenttechnicalqualitytomatchaterrificworkethic.Expecttosee himlinkingplayinthefinalthird.
Rikki SHEPHERD. Rikkiwasabigsummersigningforus.Theex-Millbrookman notched23goalsfrom29appearancesinthelastcampaign.Lightningquick,Rikki hasscored3goalsinthepre-seasonandwillbelookingtoaddmanymore.
Kai CORNISH. Kaihastheabilitytounlockdefenceswithhisdribbling&creativity inthefinalthird.Hehasenjoyedapositivepre-seasonwithgoalsandassistsand thereforeenterstheseasonwithhighlevelsofconfidence.
Sam CARTER. “Carts”isanotherattackingplayerwithhighcreativitythatcan operatewideorcentrallyandhasimpactedthegameswithinthepre-season.
Nathaniel WEST. NatrelocatedtotheSouthWestlastseason&endedtheseason withBodmin.Heisanathleticstriker,unorthodox&thereforeunpredictable.Heis verygoodintheairandhasscoredafewgoalsinthepre-season.
Jordan COPP. Jordanisoneofthemosttechnicallygiftedplayersthemanagerhas workedwith.HebringsbagsofexperienceandpedigreehavingoperatedatStep2 withWeymouth.Anattackingplayerofexceptionalqualitywhocanoperatewide orcentrally.
Rocco HILL. Roccobrokeintothefirstteamlastseasonandscoredonhisdebut.At 16yearsofage,heisdisplayingmaturitybeyondhisyears.AproductoftheHelston pathway,heishighlythoughtofandhasanexcellentfutureaheadofhim.
Rubin WILSON. RubinwasthelastplayertojoinusfromBodminTown.HeisaCF thatoccupiescentrebackswithaneyeforgoalandbringshisteammatesintothe game.Hehasalreadymadeahugeimpactingames&isdevelopingpartnerships thataregoingfromstrengthtostrength.
Jamie SIMMONDS. Jamieisaplayerofveryhightechnicalability.Expecttoseehim unlockingdefencesandimpactingthegameatthetopendofthepitch.Jamiehasall theattributestoplayatthislevelandbeyond.Jamieisreallyexcitedtobeplaying forHelstonandhopesthatthismovewillhelphimcatapultHelstonaswellashis ownfootballdevelopment.
Teigan ROSENQUEST. ThesignatureofTeiganoutlinesourambitionasafootball club.TeiganwaspartoftheTavistockteamthatsecuredtheWesternLeaguetitle lastseason.Hehasexcellenttechnicalabilityandcanbreaklineswiththeballthat isahugebenefitforusasitcanchangethecontextofthegameinamoment.We hadoneofthosemomentsintheFAVaseagainstSaltashwhenwescoredthewinninggoalfromoneofhisdrivingruns.Teiganisversatileandcanoperateoutwide andcentralattackingroles.