Helston Athletic v Barnstaple Town

Helston Athletic Football Club - Founded 1896

CLUB HONOURS

Cornwall Senior Cup Winners 1936/37, 2022/23

Runners-up 2012/13

Western League Les Phillips Cup Winners 2022/23

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 runners-up 2015/16

D3 runners-up 2014/15

D5 runners-up 2012/13

Cornwall Veterans League D1 winners 2021/22 D2 winners 2020/21

Cornwall Women’s Football Lg. Winners 2020/21, 2022/23

Runners-up 2016/17

Cornwall Women’s Football L Cup Winners 2022/23

Cornwall Junior Cup Winners 2013/14

Cornwall Women’s Cup Winners 2021/22

Runners-up 2022/23

Cornwall Charity Cup Winners 1937/38, 1960/61, 1961/62

Runners-up 1935/36, 1951/52

Cornwall Senior Lg. Herald Cup Winners 1936/37, 1937/38, 1939/40

Runners-up 1938/39

Cornwall Combination Lg. Cup Winners 2021/22

Runners-up 1974/75, 2002/03, 2007/08 2022/23

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

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,

For a third consecutive weekend we find ourselves playing at home as we welcome the players, officials and supporters of Barnstaple Town to Kellaway Park. Expectations are we will see two players of seasons past line up for our opponents this afternoon. For today at least its...Walk Billy Walk :-)

In addition to The Barum, Helston welcome this afternoons match officials Tim Burley, Adam Price and Paul Barker to Kellaway Park.

The past week has been one of mixed emotions. A four goal to two victory over Street FC last Saturday saw The Blues progress through to the 1st Round Proper of this seasons Isuzu FA Vase. Our opponents in the next round will be Longlevens FC from the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division. Again we have been drawn at home with the match scheduled to take place on Saturday 21st October, KO 3:00pm.

Monday brought the sad news of the passing of Wendy Skewes. For those who have been connected with Helston Athletic Football Club for many a year, you will remember Wendy as a long time club stalwart who dedicated endless hours of her time as a volunteer whether in the kitchen or organising and hosting such events as the annual children’s Christmas party. Also not to be forgotten was her love for bingo. For those attending this afternoons match we request that you respectfully join us in remembering Wendy with a minutes silence prior to kick off. The clubs condolences very much go to all of Wendy’s family and friends at this sad time.

Looking ahead its all about cup action over the next few days as tomorrow sees Helston’s Women hosting Crediton United Ladies in the Second Round Qualifying of this seasons Women’s FA Cup. The winners of the match will receive £3,000 in prize money so there is plenty to play for. It’s a 2:00pm KO.

After Sunday all eyes will turn to Tuesday when our young guns return to FA Youth Cup action as they host Truro City U18’s, KO 7:45pm. Although this competition offers no prize money, the incentive of progressing to the final qualifying round should be sufficient enough to get everyone involved fired up for the match. For both this, and the Women’s match tomorrow, we hope as many of you as possible will join us to cheer on ’The Blues,

Next Saturday we hit the road with an away fixture to newly promoted Oldland Abbotonians, following which we head to Millbrook on Saturday 14th October.

I have saved my final words for today for Wendy Skewes. A remarkable lady who voluntarily gave so much to the club, now at rest with husband Bill, we thank you for everything you unselfishly gave. Rest in Peace

Paul Hendy (Chairman)

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Saturday 30th September

Brixham v Shepton Mallet

Buckland Athletic v Falmouth Town

Helston Athletic v Barnstaple Town

Ilfracombe Town v Bridgwater United

Millbrook v Clevedon Town

Oldland Abbotonians v St Blazey

Saltash United v Torpoint Athletic

Street v Nailsea & Tickenham United

Wellington v Welton Rovers

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.

Development I Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

St PIRAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (WEST)

Sat 14 Oct Pendeen Rovers

Sat 21 Oct St Day

Sat 18 Nov St Agnes A

Sat 25 Nov Mullion Res A

Sat 2 Dec Falmouth Town H

Sat 9 Dec St Just H

Sat 16 Dec Wendron Utd Res A

Tue 26 Dec Porthleven A

Sat 6 Jan Penryn Athletic H

Sat 13 Jan St Day H

Sat 27 Jan Illogan RBL A

Sat 3 Feb Hayle A

Sat 10 Feb Perranwell A

Sat 17 Feb Pendeen Rovers H

Sat 24 Feb Falmouth Town A

Sat 2 Mar Mullion Res H

Sat 9 Mar Redruth United H

Sat 16 Mar Mousehole Dev. A

Sat 23 Mar Illogan RBL H

Sat 30 Mar Porthleven H

Sat 13 Apr St Just A

Development I League Table 2023/2024

St PIRAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (WEST)

Development II Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

ST PIRAN LEAGUE DIVISION 1 (WEST)

Sat

Sat

Sat 24 Feb Camborne SOM

Tue 27 Feb St Day Res H

Sat 2 Mar RNAS Culdrose A

Tue 5 Mar St Ives H

Sat 16 Mar Mawnan A

Tue 19 Mar Ludgvan H

Fri 29 Mar Porthleven A

Sat 6 Apr Praze H

Wed 10 AprTroon H

Tue 16 Apr St Day Res A

Development II Table 2023/2024

ST PIRAN LEAGUE DIVISION 1 (WEST)

HELSTON ATHLETIC FC

Blue & White shirts

Blue shorts

Blue socks

Kyle MOORE (GK)

Tyler ELLIOTT

Callum O’BRIEN

Tom MOXHAM

Dave BARKER

Aaron BENTLEY (c)

Jordan BENTLEY

Jacob SMITH

Steve COLWELL

Jordan COPP

Tom PAYNE

Baga MARIKO

Jamie SIMMONDS

Rikki SHEPHERD

Curtis DAMERELL

Rubin WILSON

Manager/Coach Matt CUSACK

Asst. Manager Dan HARRISON

Goalkeeper Coach Martyn DAUGHTERY

Physio

Jaimie OSBORNE

Referee

Tim BURLEY

Red shirts

Red shorts

Red socks

Liam KINGSTON

Callum LAIRD

Myles PERKINS

Nathan COLLEY

Brodie MONTAGUE

Adam HILL

Billy TUCKER (c)

Matthew ANDREW

Stuart BOWKER

Harry FOSTER

Scott LAIRD

Tommy ROGERS

Charlie PRENTICE

Blake SHAPLAND

Harvey DENNIS

Merson HAM

Jamie HEARSEY

Callum DEEMER

Joe GRIGG

Ty ROWE Manager Craig LAIRD

Assistant Man. Kevin DARCH

T O D A Y S S Q U A D

Assistants

Adam PRICE

Paul BARKER

FOCUS ONBARNSTAPLE TOWN FC

Founded in 1904 as Pilton Yeo Vale, the club entered the North Devon league. They were founder members along with Ilfracombe, South Molton, Pilton Social Barnstaple Y.M.C.A, Braunton and Bideford. Their first ever league match was on 1st October 1904 when they played Ilfracombe at Pilton Park and were defeated 4-2. The club changed its name to Barnstaple Town at the end of the season and continued in the North Devon League, Devon & Exeter League and then the South Western League. When the Western League was reformed after the Second World War, Barnstaple Town entered two teams, one in division 2 and a reserve side in division 3.

The early 1950's were one of the club's most successful times under the management of Arthur Coles. In 1953, Barnstaple won the Western league First Division Championship but only after a nail biting climax to the season with everything depending on the results of matches being played on the final day of the League Season. On that day, Barnstaple Town beat Dorchester Town 6-1 and their challengers for the title, Street won 2-1 at Wells City. That left the side’s level on points and when the goal average was calculated Street had 2.07 and incredibly Barnstaple had 2.08. The club also beat Plymouth Argyle in the final of the Devon Pro' Cup at Home Park that season, but sadly Coles moved on to Weymouth and the club never had quite the same success again.

Cameron Buchanan, the former Wolves and Bournemouth player, local lads Fred Smale and Ray Smith, Bill Johnson formerly of Grimsby Town, Noel Peyton, the ex Leeds United and Eire International, John Hancock formerly with Exeter City and ex Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers player Lol Chappell all tried to revive Barnstaple's fortunes from the manager’s seat but with no great success.

Player Manager Charlie Sells, who had been with Exeter City, built up the club in the 1970's followed by the former Andover keeper Trevor Morris and then Brian Perks. Perks left Mill Road for Bideford during the season of 1979/80 and under the guidance of joint managers Brian Hill and Dave Baglow, Barum went on to win the Western League Championship for the second time, winning by one point from AFC Bournemouth Reserves. That title went virtually unnoticed as there was a printer’s strike at the time and no newspapers were printed.

Richard Gray took over the following season and brought some success to the club although they never won the title. A couple of seasons later he left after a disagreement with the club, and after a succession of managers Town lost their Premier status in 1989/90. Brian Hill was again appointed manager to put Town back in the Premier Division and after 3 seasons in the wilderness won the First Division Championship in 1993/94 in fine style scoring more goals and recording more points than ever before.

FOCUS ONBARNSTAPLE TOWN FC

Jeff Evans was appointed manager in 2002 and along with his assistant Peter Buckingham guided the club to the final of The Devon Bowl where they were narrowly beaten by Tiverton Town. The following season Peter Buckingham took over as sole manager and Barum finished in seventh place in the league, their highest finish for many a season. During the 2008/09 season Owen Pickard took over the manager’s seat for his first taste of management and was able to save the club from what looked like certain relegation at the Christmas period of the season. Barnstaple remained in the Premier League until the end of the 2012/13 season when they were relegated to Western League Division One – the first time in their history that they had finished at the bottom of their division.

We now embrace a new challenge in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division. The gloom surrounding Mill Road was to be short lived as in the December of 2013 the club appointed the joint management team of Barry Yeo and Karl Baggaley. Building a squad where, on occasions, all eleven players on the field were born in Barnstaple – surely a record that not many teams at any level of football would be able to equal - the managers turned the 2013/14 season around and finished a creditable 3rd.

In their first full season in charge, 2014/15, the club returned to the Western League Premier Division by winning the First Division title. for the 3rd time in its history. Their total of 100 points, 128 goals scored and a goal difference of 101 were among 15 club records set during the year, in addition to reaching the final of the Les Phillips Cup for the second time.

2015/16 was to be equally successful. After an average start the team went on two long unbeaten runs which saw them finish as runners up in the Premier Division, missing out on back to back titles by just 3 points, but securing the coveted prize of promotion to the Southern League Division One South & West. This would see them playing at the highest level in the club’s history – the biggest step the club had taken since joining the Western League in 1948. At the end of 2016/17, having secured Southern League football for a second season with a 17th place finish, the management duo stood down and as is often the case in these situations, most of the players also left for challenges elsewhere.

In more recent times the club found life in the Southern League challenging, a combination of other club’s misfortunes and a global pandemic saved the club from relegation on three occasions. Bill Wilson was appointed as new Chairman of the club in November 2021 with Mick Wadsworth as director of football and the appointment of Craig Laird as first team manager. Despite a gallant attempt relegation from the Southern League could not be avoided in the 2021/22 season.

Player Profiles...

Mike SEARLE (GK) Bigpresenceineverygameshoutingrearguardinstructions fellowteammates.GreatshotstopperwhomadehisHelstonreturnintheSenior CupsemifinalversusSaltashUnitedfollowingalengthylayoffduetoinjury.

Kyle MOORE (GK). KylejoineduspartwaythroughtheseasonfromPlymouth Parkway.Kylewaspartoftheteamthatwonbacktobackpromotions.Anexcellentshotstopperanddistributoroftheball,hewilladdgreatvaluetoournew campaign.

Jordan BENTLEY. Jordanentershis3rdseasonwiththeclub.Hecontinuestobea dominantCBwhocanplaywithindifferentformations.andwaspartofourcup doublesuccessinthepreviouscampaign.

Aaron BENTLEY. Aaronentershis3rdseasonwiththeclub.Heisatechnically efficientdefenderwithattributestoplayinotherpositions.Aaronhasanexcellentfootballpedigreeandhasoperatedathigherlevels.

Freddie WALTER. Freddieisaversatiledefenderenjoyinghissecondseasonat theclub.Freddiesteppeduptostep5footballlastseasonandhisperformances provedhebelongshere.

Harrison JEWELL (Capt) Anexceptionalseasonlastyear,HputinmanyM.O.M performancesandwon2ofourendofseasonawards.AninfluentialCBwhohas alsobeenmadecaptainforthiscampaign.

Callum O’BRIEN. Athrowbacktohowdefendersusedtobe,nononsenseand hardhitting.Lethalatsetplaysandcanplayonthedeckaswell.Deceptively quickover10-15metres.

Tom MOXHAM. ExcellentpedigreehavingcompletedaPlymouthArgylescholarshipfollowedbyfouryearsattheUniversityofPittsburgh.ExpecttoseeMoximpactinggamesasafullbackor awingbackwithhisexcellentdelivery.

Dave BARKER. Hassetthestandardforrightsidedfullbacks/wingbacksover thepastfiveyears.Barksregularlychipsinwithdoublefigureseachseason,a remarkablestatgivenhisposition.Heactuallygrabbeda90thminutewinner hereforhisformerclubSaltashlastseason.Hewillbringvalueatbothendsof thepitchwithaddedleadershipqualities.

Tom PAYNE. Payneyhadanexceptionalcampaignlastseason.Hechippedin with15goalsand15assistsfrommidfield,andscoredinthefirstofourtwocup finaltriumphslastcampaign.

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.

Rubin WILSON. Rubinformedtheotherhalfofourstrikepartnershiplastseason andscored24goalsinhisfirstfullmen’sseason.Hescoredthesecondgoalinour secondcupfinaltriumphtocapoffafinecampaign.

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

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

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

(Mileages obtained from theaa.com route planner)

First Team Statistics For The 2023/2024 Season....

Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

Date Opponents

Sat 13 Jan Clevedon Town A

Sat 20 Jan Shepton Mallet H

Sat 27 Jan Street H

Sat 3 Feb Nailsea & Tick. A

Sat 10 Feb Saltash United H

Sat 24 Feb Clevedon Town H

Sat 9 Mar Street A

Sat 16 Mar Brixham H

Sat 23 Mar Welton Rovers A

Fri 29 Mar Falmouth Town H

Mon 1 Apr Torpoint Athletic A

Sat 6 Apr Wellington A

Sat 20 Apr Buckland Ath. H

Ven. Res. Att. Scorers