Helston Athletic v Willand Rovers 5th August

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 One & All,

After failing to hold onto a two goal half time lead last Saturday, to end up drawing two a piece come full time, certainly wasn’t our script for the opening game of the season last weekend. Full credit to Matt, Dan and the lads however who quickly brushed themselves down to put things right with a convincing four goal to nil victory over Saltash United at the appropriately named Waterways Stadium on Tuesday evening. To all Blues supporters who made the journey on such a wet and miserable evening, a massive thank you for your support.

This afternoon we turn our attention to The Emirates FA Cup as we welcome the players, officials and supporters of Willand Rovers, along with match officials Josh Eyres, Andrew Jenkin and Darren Dayus, to Kellaway Park. Today’s encounter represents the first ever fixture between ourselves and our visitors. To all travelling from Willand, we hope you enjoy the match day experience we have on offer during your short stay with us.

For awareness should today’s tie end all square after ninety minutes then a replay will be held at Silver Street Willand on Wednesday, kick off 7:30pm. Should it be necessary this tie will go to extra time and penalties as required.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Helston Under 8 Dragons (pictured) as our mascots this afternoon. Formed as recently as January this year success has already been forthcoming by become runners up in the nationally attended RTV tournament held in Hayle back in April, in addition to finishing top of their group in the most recently held and well established Sharon Wood Tournament. What an excellent start to what will hopefully be a successful footballing journey for all involved. A special mention to the volunteers supporting the team Aaron Collick, Chris Jack and Beth Thomas. Please be sure to keep up the great work.

Finally from me for this afternoon I would like to record my best wishes to both Helston Athletic Development I and II sides who commence their seasons today and on Tuesday respectively. Both teams reflect a special era for the club as we very much look towards developing and integrating more local talented youth players into senior football. Good luck to all involved.

Whichever team you are supporting today please be sure to enjoy your afternoon. You never know you may might just get to witness one of those special moments of FA Cup magic.

Paul Hendy (Chairman)

Saturday 5th August 2023

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Barnstaple Town v Saltash United

Bridgwater United v Liskeard Athletic

Brislington v Shaftesbury Town

Buckland Athletic v Torpoint Athletic

Clevedon Town v Wantage

Falmouth Town v Exmouth Town

Helston Athletic v Willand Rovers

Mousehole v Ilfracombe Town

Okehampton Argyle v Brixham

Oldland Abbotonians v Blackfield & Langley

Shepton Mallet v Sherborne Town

Street v Millbrook

Tring v Nailsea & Tickenham

Wells City v AFC Portchester

Wellington v Bideford

Welton Rovers v Fareham Town

Wendron United v St Blazey

The Football Association Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the FA Cup, is an annual knockout football competition in men's domestic English football. First played during the 1871-72 season, it is the oldest national football competition in the world. It is organised by and named after The Football Association (The FA). Since 2015, it has been known as The Emirates FA Cup after its headline sponsor. A concurrent women's tournament is also held, the Women's FA Cup.

The competition is open to 20 professional clubs in the Premier League, 72 professional clubs in the English Football League, and all clubs in steps 1-5 of the National League System as well as a tiny number of step 6 clubs acting as stand-ins for non-entries from above. A record 763 clubs competed in 2011-12. The tournament consists of 12 drawn rounds followed by semi-finals and the final. Entrants are not seeded, although a system of exemptions based on league level ensures higher ranked teams enter in later roundsthe minimum number of games needed to win, depending on which round a team enters the competition, ranges from six to fourteen.

The first six rounds are the Qualifying Competition, from which 32 teams progress to the first round of the Competition Proper, meeting the first of the 48 professional teams from League One and Two. The last entrants are the Premier League and Championship clubs, who enter the draw for the Third Round Proper. In the modern era, only one non-League team has ever reached the quarter-finals, and no team below the Championship has ever reached the final. As a result, significant focus is given to the smaller teams who progress furthest, especially if they achieve an unlikely "giant-killing" victory.

Winners receive the FA Cup trophy, of which there have been two designs and five actual cups; the latest is a 2014 replica of the second design, introduced in 1911. Winners also qualify for the UEFA Europa League and a place in the FA Community Shield. Arsenal are the most successful club with fourteen titles and Arsene Wenger is the most successful manager in the history of the competition, having won seven finals as Arsenal's manager. Manchester City are the current Cup holders, having beaten Manchester United 1-0 in the 2023 Final.

Development I Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

St PIRAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (WEST)

Date Opponents

Sat 5 Aug Penryn Athletic A

Sat 19 Aug St Just A

Tue 22 Aug Perranwell H

Tue 29 Aug St Agnes H

Sat 2 Sep Redruth United A

Sat 9 Sep Hayle H

Tue 12 Sep Mousehole Dev. H

Sat 30 Sep Illogan RBL A

Sat 7 Oct Wendron Res H

Sat 14 Oct Pendeen Rovers A

Sat 21 Oct St Day A

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

Development II Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

ST PIRAN LEAGUE DIVISION 1 (WEST)

Date Opponents Ven. Res. Scorers

Tue 9 Aug St Agnes Res A

Tue 15 Aug Wendron United H

Tue 5 Sep RNAS Culdrose H

Sat 9 Sep Hayle Res A

Sat 16 Sep Praze A

Tue 19 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 30 Mar Threemilestone A

Sat 6 Apr Praze H

Wed 10 AprTroon H

Tue 16 Apr St Day Res A

HELSTON ATHLETIC FC

Blue & White shirts

Blue shorts

Blue socks

Kyle MOORE (GK)

Tyler ELLIOTT

Freddie WALTER

Tom MOXHAM

Callum O’BRIEN

Aaron BENTLEY

Jordan BENTLEY

Dave BARKER

Harrison JEWELL (c)

Jacob SMITH

Steve COLWELL

Jordan COPP

Tom PAYNE

Sam CARTER

Jamie SIMMONDS

Curtis DAMERELL

Rubin WILSON

Manager/Coach Matt CUSACK

Asst. Manager

Dan HARRISON

Goalkeeper Coach Martyn DAUGHTERY

Physio

Jaimie OSBORNE

Referee

Josh EYRE

WILLAND ROVERS

Tangerine shirts

Black shorts

Tangerine socks

George BURTON

Josh SEARLE

Kieran BAILEY

Adam POOLE

Josh YOUNG

Nick MILTON

Ryan GUPPY

Glenn GOULD

Ash HEWITT

Ryan KEATES

Doug CAMILO

Nathan BYRNE

Adam KELLY

Lewis HILL

Owen HOWE

Josh WEBBER

Ollie BRAY

Josh BAKER

Charlie WRIGHT

Manager

Asst. Manager

Goalkeeper Coach

Physio

T O D A Y S S Q U A D

David STEELE

Liam RAYBOULD

Steve GUPPY

Pippa PERRY

Assistants

Andrew JENKIN

Darren DAYUS

Focus on....

WILLAND ROVERS

Football has been played in Willand for well over a century. Indeed match reports exist from as far back as 1907 when Willand Association Football Club was under the chairmanship of Dr Henry Tracey of the Gables.

The club then played their home games at the Pavilion Ground; this the field opposite the one and only public house in Willand, The Halfway House.

By 1939 the Football club was still going strong when the world entered another period of war; at this time the Club had become known as Willand Wanderers FC. During the years of the Second World War two members from the football club joined the committee of the Willand United Services Club; this was formed in 1942 to organise wartime events for the local community.

In 1953 the club moved to its current location in Silver Street, playing in the Tiverton District League. Progress was continued when the club moved into the Devon and Exeter League passing through the lower intermediate divisions, and eventually winning the Devon cup in 1967.

In 1971 the club had the foresight to purchase the Silver Street ground from a land owner and local farmer; at that time there were no houses surrounding the ground just orchards and fields. During the early seventies there was promotion to the senior leagues and eventually into the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter League. We were then playing teams such as Tiverton, Elmore, Dawlish, Heavitree, Ottery St Mary and Crediton, who all went on to play in the Western League.

The 1972 season saw the first ever Willand Rovers programme produced with 40% of the sales going towards the matchday draw. There was also a refreshment caravan at the ground for the first time. Legend says that when the M5 Motorway was built in the 1970s the old village hall had to be taken down to make way for the new road and some of the timber from that building which was used in the building of our first grandstand at the ground. In fact, as the ground has been reshaped in more recent years some of this timber can still be seen in our Main Grandstand by virtue of it being re-used to form the front row of seats.

Despite having built a grandstand, in 1985 the Devon & Exeter League ruled that the facilities were not up to the required standard for a Premier Division team: the club was consequently demoted to the Senior Division whilst the Reserves went to play in the North Devon League.

In 1986, the clubhouse – part of the present building – and changing rooms were built. With these facilities in place the club was able to attract a wider range of quality players resulting in soon winning promotion back into the Premier Division.

In 1992 Rovers became founder members of the Devon County League and they had the honour of hosting the first ever County League match. In attendance for that opening game was Mr Bert Millichip, then the Chairman of the Football Association. Clive Jones then became the first team manager and our rise continued apace. The County League was won in 1998/99 and again in 2000/01. This was followed by promotion to the Western League Division One and, after just three years, the club was promoted again into the Western League Premier Division.

WILLAND ROVERS FC

Clive Jones’ very successful tenure came to an end in 2013 when Scott Rogers took the helm. He presided over the team for two campaigns with his swan-song guiding the team to victory in the Les Phillips Cup final in May 2015, with success against Barnstaple Town at Bridport. The current manager, Russell Jee, is very well known and respected at the club, having been a player here for many years. He is ably assisted by David Steele, another long term servant with a very distinguished Rovers playing career behind him.

Russell and Dave have continued the success of their predecessors ultimately leading the team as they became the 2018/19 Champions of the Toolstation Western League to gain promotion to the Southern Football League: no one will forget the final league match of the season away at Bitton and the jubilant scenes that followed the final whistle!

During our recent history there have been a number of excellent runs in both the FA Vase and FA Cup. The FA Cup highlight undoubtedly being in 2014, a run that took the team to the fourth qualifying round and a meeting here at Silver Street where very nearly 1,000 people, and the BBC radio Devon outside broadcast team, were present to see Scott Rogers’ side go out 3-1 to Gosport Borough. They in turn went out in the next round, beaten by Colchester United.

More recently in the FA Vase, in the 2018/19 season under Russell Jee, the Rovers reached the Quarter Final stage where they were narrowly beaten by Cray Valley Paper Mill, again in front of a crowd nearly 1000 strong. Off the pitch the rise of the club has been every bit as extraordinary as the action on it! Under the Chairman Mike Mitchell Silver Street has seen plenty of ground improvements and developments in recent years: the clubhouse has been overhauled and expanded, purpose made new changing rooms installed, a new seated grandstand installed and covered terrace stands erected. These improvements have given the club a stadium to be truly proud of.

So Willand Rovers stand proudly ply their trade in the Southern Football League Division One South, the fourth tier of non-league football. This is the highest point the club has reached in the football pyramid in its short history. The forthcoming years will bring a different set of challenges, not least the decision as to whether the Stan Robinson Stadium can be upgraded to meet the requirements of the next step up the football pyramid, promotion to the Premier Division of the famous and historic Southern League. This would see us playing at the same level as some very big and famous non -league clubs such as Truro City, Salisbury City, Taunton Town, Dorchester Town and Tiverton Town to name just a few! Dizzy heights indeed, but we must have a goal and something to aim for … so lets aim high!

Off the pitch the thriving clubhouse continues to help provide vital funding through social events, parties and being used by local organisations serving the community. We also wouldn’t have achieved the success we have in recent years without the support and backing all our sponsors and the local business community. We say to you a BIG THANK YOU to you all. There is still a hunger within the club for even more success as “The Rovers” seek to maintain the impetus of the last few years. The story goes on, as the dream continues to unfold – WATCH THIS SPACE!

Player Profiles...

Mike SEARLE (GK) Bigpresenceineverygameshoutingrearguardinstructions fellowteammates.GreatshotstopperwhomadehisHelstonreturnintheSenior CupsemifinalversusSaltashUnitedfollowingalengthylayoffduetoinjury.

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

Jordan BENTLEY. Jordancametotheclublastseasonandhasexcellentexperiencewithinthegamehavingoperatedathigherlevels.Adominantcentreback whocanmixuphisgame.

Aaron BENTLEY. Aaronjoinedtheclubatthebackendoflastseason.Heisa commandingcentrebackandabigthreatfromsetplays.Aaronhasagoodfootballpedigreeandhasoperatedathigherlevels.

Freddie WALTER. FredjoinedtheclubfromneighbouringWendronandhasenjoyedapositivepre-season.Heiscomfortableinarangeofdefensivepositions andcanalsoofferathreatgoingforward.

Harrison JEWELL (Capt) HarrisoncamethroughtheyouthranksatHelstonand showspromiseacrossmanypositions.Hisversatilityishisstrengthandhecan operateacrossthedefenceandinmidfield.

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. PayneyhasjoinedtheclubathispeakfromMillbrook.Lastseason, hecappedafinecampaignbybeingselectedfortheCornwallsquad.Aversatile midfielderwithexcellentleadershipskillsanddeadballdelivery.Expecttosee himimpactinggamesthisseason.

Player Profiles...

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

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

Tyler ELLIOTT.Tylerisanotherplayerthathasoperatedathigherlevelsoffootballandhasexcellenttechnicalqualitytomatchaterrificworkethic.Expecttosee himlinkingplayinthefinalthird.

Kai CORNISH. Kaihastheabilitytounlockdefenceswithhisdribbling&creativity inthefinalthird.Hehasenjoyedapositivepre-seasonwithgoalsandassistsand thereforeenterstheseasonwithhighlevelsofconfidence.

Sam CARTER. “Carts”isanotherattackingplayerwithhighcreativitythatcan operatewideorcentrallyandhasimpactedthegameswithinthepre-season.

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

Rikki SHEPHERD. Rikkiwasabigsummersigningforus.Theex-Millbrookman notched23goalsfrom29appearancesinthelastcampaign.Lightningquick,Rikki hasscored3goalsinthepre-seasonandwillbelookingtoaddmanymore.

Rubin WILSON. RubinwasthelastplayertojoinusfromBodminTown.HeisaCF thatoccupiescentrebackswithaneyeforgoalandbringshisteammatesintothe game.Hehasalreadymadeahugeimpactingames&isdevelopingpartnerships thataregoingfromstrengthtostrength.

Jamie SIMMONDS. Jamieisaplayerofveryhightechnicalability.Expecttoseehim unlockingdefencesandimpactingthegameatthetopendofthepitch.Jamiehasall theattributestoplayatthislevelandbeyond.Jamieisreallyexcitedtobeplaying forHelstonandhopesthatthismovewillhelphimcatapultHelstonaswellashis ownfootballdevelopment.

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)

Date

Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

Tue 1 Aug Saltash United

Sat 5 Aug Willand Rovers H

Sat 12 Aug Bridgwater Utd H

Wed 16 AugSt. Blazey A

Sat 26 Aug Millbrook H

Sat 2 Sep Brixham A

Sat 9 Sep Shepton Mallet A

Sat 16 Sep Ilfracombe Town H

Sat 23 Sep Axminster/Street H (FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round)

Sat 30 Sep Barnstaple Town H

Sat 7 Oct Oldland Abbots. A

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

Sat 13 Jan Clevedon Town A

Fixtures & Results 2023/2024

Date Opponents Ven. Res. Att. Scorers

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