Helston Athletic v Ilfracombe Town 16th September

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,

Great to have Toolstation League Premier Division action back at Kellaway Park this afternoon having played away for the past two weekends. Welcome and thank you to all for your attendance.

With today's match being the fourth home fixture of our league campaign its a pleasure to welcome the players, officials and supporters of The Bluebirds of Ilfracombe to Kellaway Park for a third consecutive season. Similar to ourselves, today's visitors were awarded step 5 promotion off the back of a combining of results from the two seasons impacted by the COVID pandemic. Although many questioned the awarded promotions at the time, I don’t think anyone could now disagree that both teams have held their own at the higher level.

In addition to our visitors, Helston this afternoon welcome match officials Shaun Edge, Dave Rowe and Barry Raiker to Kellaway Park. We hope you each enjoy your short time with us today.

Helston’s last two league performances have been mixed to say the least. A disappointing display on a sweltering hot afternoon in Brixham saw us crash to our first league defeat of the season with matters promptly put right away at Shepton Mallet last weekend. With other results going our way Helston remain top of the league on goal difference from local rivals Falmouth Town. Clevedon Town occupy third spot, two points behind first and second but with a game in hand. A Helston victory this afternoon will all but guarantee we remain top although throughout the afternoon we will be keeping a close eye on Clevedon and Falmouth who go head to head at The Everyone Active Stadium. We will try our best to keep you updated on news from this match.

Next Saturday we make our debut in this seasons Isuzu FA Vase competition, our opponents Street FC. It's a regular 3:00pm KO and once again it would be great to welcome as many of you as possible to the match. Your support makes a massive difference.

Finally for this afternoon I would like to extend all the very best of luck to Helston Athletic U18’s who take on Yeovil Town U18’s at Huish Park on Tuesday, KO 7:00pm, in the First Qualifying Round of this seasons FA Youth Cup. Helston’s young guns overcame a dogged AFC St Austell U18’s here at Kellaway Park just a couple of weeks ago to set up what I am sure will be a lifetime experience for all involved. GOOD LUCK BOYS.

As always whichever team you are supporting today please be sure to enjoy your afternoon and again thank you for your magnificent support.

Paul Hendy (Chairman)

Saturday 16th September 2023

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Barnstaple Town v Shepton Mallet

Clevedon Town v Falmouth Town

Helston Athletic v Ilfracombe Town

Millbrook v Buckland Athletic

Saltash United v Nailsea & Tickenham United

Torpoint Athletic v Oldland Abbotonians

Wellington v St Blazey

Welton Rovers v Brixham

Toolstation Western League Division One

Bishop Sutton v Portishead Town

Bitton v Middlezoy Rovers

Cadbury Heath v Gillingham Town

Cheddar v Bradford Town

Hengrove Athletic v Brislington

Keynsham Town v Hallen

Odd Down (Bath) v AEK Boco

Radstock Town v Longwell Green Sports

Warminster Town v Bristol Telephones

Wells City v Shirehampton

Wincanton Town v Cribbs

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 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 H

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 30 MarPorthleven H

Sat 13 Apr St Just A

TBA Illogan RBL 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 16 Sep Praze

Sat 23 Sep Threemilestone

Tue 26 Sep West Cornwall H

Sat 30 Sep Troon A

Tue 10 Oct Camborne SOM H

Sat 21 Oct Ludgvan A

Sat 28 Oct Mawnan H

Sat 11 Nov Threemilestone H

Sat 18 Nov Wendron United A

Sat 9 Dec West Cornwall A

Sat 23 Dec Hayle Res H

Tue 26 Dec Porthleven H 2024

Sat 13 Jan St Ives A

Sat 3 Feb St Agnes H

Sat 24 Feb Camborne SOM A

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

Harrison JEWELL (c)

Tom MOXHAM

Dave BARKER

Aaron BENTLEY

Jacob SMITH

Steve COLWELL

Jordan COPP

Tom PAYNE

Jamie SIMMONDS

Sam CARTER

Rikki SHEPHERD

Curtis DAMERELL

Rubin WILSON

Manager/Coach Matt CUSACK

Asst. Manager Dan HARRISON

Goalkeeper Coach Martyn DAUGHTERY

Physio Jaimie OSBORNE

Referee

Shaun EDGE

Pink shirts

Black shorts

Black socks

Jimmy THORNE

Lawrence McCORMACK

Steve OLIVER

Harry TAFFS

Sam WRIGHT

Cory ROACH

Jack JENKINS (c)

Daniel WILSON

Callum HUTCHINGS

Harry STEVENS

Rory PAINE

Liam SHORT

Jack LANGFORD

Ed JENKINS

Toby JOHNSON

Kyle PAINE

Jack MAGAROTTO

Stan JENKINS

Matt KING

Finn KING-SMITH

Manager Clem BENNELICK

Assistant Jackson BIRCH

Physio Clem BENNELICK Assistants

Dave ROWE

Barry RAIKER

T O D A Y S S Q U A D

FOCUS ONILFRACOMBE TOWN

Ilfracombe football club was formed in November 1902 and played local opposition until the formation of the North Devon League in 1904, in which Combe became one of the founder members. The present name of Ilfracombe Town was adopted in 1920, the club contested the East Devon League remaining there for many years.

The present ground of Marlborough Park was acquired in 1923 & laid out for competitive football in 1924/25 season. In 1949 Western League football was applied for & the club was admitted entry into division 3 for the season 1949/50, winning promotion as runner up at the end of that year. During the 1952/53 season the clubs finest FA Cup run was experienced by the only Division 2 team to reach the fourth qualifying round where Llanelli was the venue and the result was 1-0 in favour of the Welshmen in front of an 8500 gate.

Promotion to Division 1 was also achieved at the end of the 52/53 season but after two years relegation was followed by poor results and poor support ultimately resulting in withdrawal from the league by the 1958/59 season.

During the 60s and 70s North Devon League football was again contested and during the early 80s, after some very encouraging seasons it was decided to re-apply for Western League football and re-entry was accepted from the 1984/85 season.

Since rejoining the Western League the club contested Division 1 for many seasons and promotion was eventually achieved to the Premier Division at the end of the 2006/07 season and Step 5 football was maintained with the winning of the Les Phillips Challenge Cup in 2010/11 season, after 30 years of membership the club decided to leave the Western League at the end of the 2012/13 season.

North Devon League football was once again contested with the first team in the Premier Division and the Reserves in the Senior Division and the 3rd Team in Intermediate 1, at the end of the 2016/17 season all 3 teams won promotion and with the Ladies team achieving promotion a very successful season was enjoyed.

The 2017/18 season Combe joined the South West Peninsula East Division, and after a couple of good seasons the team was going very well when the season was curtailed because of COVID-19, they were moved up into the Western League Premier Division for the 2021/22 season when the Non League system was re-organised.

FOCUS ONILFRACOMBE TOWN

Ilfracombe’s ground has one of the most picturesque backdrops in the Western League as the image below shows.

(Pic courtesy of Ilfracombe Town’s Facebook page).

Marlborough Park is situated on top of a hill overlooking the Bristol Channel and the club will celebrate a hundred years of playing there in two seasons time.

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

Sat

Sat 7 Oct

Sat 14 Oct Millbrook A

Sat 21 Oct Street H

Sat 28 Oct Buckland Athletic A

Sat 4 Nov Nailsea & Tick. H

Sat 18 Nov Oldland Abbots. H

Sat 25 Nov St. Blazey H

Sat 2 Dec Bridgwater United A

Sat 9 Dec Ilfracombe Town A

Sat 16 Dec Welton Rovers H

Tue 26 Dec Falmouth Town A

Sat 30 Dec Torpoint Athletic H

2024

Sat 6 Jan Barnstaple Town A

Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

Date Opponents

Sat 13 Jan Clevedon Town A

Sat 20 Jan Shepton Mallet 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