Jump to content
Cornwall Football Forum

Falmouth Town


Guest

Recommended Posts

Working on some club histories for Cornish Teddy Boy, one of the clubs was Falmouth Town. There was a mention of being unbeaten at home for some 50 games. Looking at some recent stats, I make it that they have only won 7 out of the last 50 home games, drawing 14 and losing 29. I find it astonishing that the club are doing so poorly at the moment.

 

It's also been a while since they played a cup game after Christmas!

 

I suppose it could be seen as a blessing that only one team will be relegated as the one time 'Kings' of local football could see them mixing it with the likes of Sticker, Bude and Dobwalls (PLEASE DON'T TAKE THAT AT BEING DISRESPECTFUL, it's not meant to be that way). Or would relegation be a good thing in the long run?

 

It's also a shame to see Newquay struggling and with St Blazey 21 points behind the leaders, the balance of power of the 60s, 70s and 80s has really changed. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think comparing current sport to 60's,70's and 80's is fair. Look at local football and rugby and you'll see the same patterns. The pool of local players nowadays is so much smaller than the era's past, any decent youngster in either sport is picked up by academies at Plymouth/Exeter or beyond and with rugby the Pirates and Chiefs, add to this a large number of youngsters going to university all over the country and then often relocating and people work all over the place nowadays. More sports are on offer, youngsters more interested in other things other than sport (XBOX)..... Times have changed.

 

There is no real system to bringing in top players to the clubs mentioned above as the system has changed so much. Add in the odd few clubs with good money who can cherry pick the big names, the pool below that in Cornwall nowadays is alot smaller than it used to be. Rugby is in the same boat. Splashing the cash fixes things quick and brings superficial success but isn't sustainable long term.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Falmouth & Newquay are spent forces at this present time. Both are full of history & tradition but that now counts for nothing. I agree to a point that money does usually help attract the better players in any sport but then look at Godolphin, Launceston both had recent success over they years without spending big to achieve it. So why shouldnt that be the same for either Newquay or Falmouth? The players & management influence results, always easy to blame other factors ie budgets etc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I could be wrong in this but the attempts when Falmouth have tried to "go local" it hasn't exuded a lot of success.

In the early 50s when all amateur Falmouth first started the SWL, the predominantly local team struggled and had to seek re-election in three of the first four seasons.

In 1966/67, a 'local approach with Plymouth sprinklings' brought 4th place and a Senior Cup Finals spot - successful for a lot of teams but after previous seasons it was classed as a disappointment.

In 2001/02, Neil Phillips' team managed to win the final ten games to finish a creditable 7th place finish but early exits in the cups. The following two seasons brought mid table finishes but a Cornwall Charity Cup win in 2002/03, the last trophy won.

In 2012/13, Alan Carey's local team didn't start off great and following a disastrous Throgmorton Cup defeat at an even worse Penzance team, Robbie Stephens and Les Gilbert rebuilt the team with little success and it hasn't really got better since then.

I don't know what the answer is but the local players are either not good enough or don't work well together.

If they can build on positive results like yesterday, I'm sure things could get better but it needs to be a team effort.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's true, although it depends how you define local. Dave Wadd believed local to define a 40 mile radius.

The bulk of Gary Penhaligon's squad were St Austell based which was good. I heard he wanted longer to consider his options and the club wanted an answer as to why he was replaced. I bet the club regret that decision now. The team were thrashed 3-0 at home by Penryn on Boxing Day and went the rest of the season unbeaten, save for three cup defeats, one by a penalty shoot out.

 

Thank you Tommy for pointing out my error!

Edited by Guest
Link to comment
Share on other sites

By local I meant 20/25 miles and yes it was a great second half of season .The reasons for not keeping a potential title winning side and manager, who knows but it certainly wasn't quite the story trotted out at the time ,as Gary and the squad were good to go!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The potential was definitely there and had it not been for a one point deduction, would Kevin Heaney had really called in all these big money grabbing sports lawyers? Falmouth would have been runners up, Truro in third, their attempt at world domination would have had to have waited another year possibly. One of those what if moments!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The ironic thing was Truro had three points deducted for playing an unregistered player (I believe it was goalkeeper John Vaughan) in a game at Penryn from which highlights were shown on Westcountry TV!

Falmouth's was the point gained from a draw with Millbrook after playing two Plymstock players (Maskell and Lewis) who were eligible but no seven day notice or some technicality

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are associated with Bodmin, leedsunited, since the SWPL's inception Falmouth Town have not played Bodmin Town at home on a Saturday! The only exception in that time was a Cornwall Senior Cup tie.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I played in one of the famous post office matches in the nineties walking up those steps with grandstand full floodlights on and the whole crowd cheering totally amazing.


They had some big gates for those games (500 v Norwich PO)-I have a surplus of programmes for some of them and a couple of brochures covering the "Road to the Final" (In Scotland)-If any one wants one.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In 1968, Falmouth Town's Combo team had a shortage of players one week and Penryn kindly lent Falmouth Colin Rundle (Alan's brother) who scored 2 on his debut. Yes there is a rivalry but it's always been a friendly one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The last time was a Cornwall Senior Cup tie in 2009 in which Falmouth were thrashed 4-1. Falmouth were in the midst of a player turnaround and I believe on one of their worst run of results. I believe at the time it wasn't considered that much of a shock despite the divisional gap.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Falmouth have had a couple of good results but as only one goes down, I think it would depend on Penryn being promoted - if they'd take it, or a 'favourable' cup draw next season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

The last time was a Cornwall Senior Cup tie in 2009 in which Falmouth were thrashed 4-1. Falmouth were in the midst of a player turnaround and I believe on one of their worst run of results. I believe at the time it wasn't considered that much of a shock despite the divisional gap.


I took part in that game and I believe it was played shortly after Alan Carey had taken over at Falmouth.

I have played for both teams in this derby and it was always an enjoyable game to play in. 2 great clubs with very different grounds but superb facilities for local football. I always remember playing for Falmouth at Penryn on Boxing Day (or just after Christmas) one year when Steve Massey was manager and Neil Phillips came in the changing room and said that 'Penryn is only a layby on the way to Falmouth'! I think I used that quote to motivate the Penryn players when I was playing against Falmouth a few years later!

It would be great if Penryn were to get promoted (if they wanted to) and the derby could be played again.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Willow Tree, 2006...really?! If it was that long ago then I must be getting old and I should really consider retiring from playing!

I'm not aware that Neil is involved anywhere at the moment leedsunited. I believe it was his Falmouth team that beat us (Truro) in the Charity Cup Final, after we had beaten the all conquering St. Blazey team in the semi-final. From memory I think his Falmouth team were pretty much all local, but still very competitive in the South Western League.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is Neil still involved in football anywhere Chris? He had a half decent side to during his reign down there if memory serves. The derby could be re-played in Division One West also if Falmouth struggle again next season.

Up until last season Neil was in charge of the Truro Ladies team I believe but don't think he is officially involved with anyone this year.

 

Shame he is not involved anywhere as his knowledge of the local scene was always fantastic and he played a big part in developing a lot of local players who went on to represent the 1st team at Falmouth.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When was the last time Falmouth 1st's played Penryn 1st's?
 
I think Penryn would embarrass their neighbours these days :c:


I have come across the full Falmouth Town v Penryn Athletic results (at First team level)
Falmouth score first Home.......Away

1983-84 CCL. W 3-1.......L 0-1
1984-85 SWL. L 1-2.......W 3-0
2000-01 SWL. L 1-2.......W 2-1
2001-02 SWL. W 2-1.......W 2-1
2002-03 SWL. W 3-1.......W 3-0
2003-04 SWL. W 2-0.......L 2-3
2004-05 SWL. W 6-0.......W 5-0
2005-06 SWL. L 0-3.......W 1-0
2006-07 SWL. D 2-2.......W 2-1

Cups.
1994-95 CSC(2) Home won 3-0
1999-00 CCC s/f Gala Parc Won 5-0
2007-08 FAV(1) Away Won 2-0
2008-09 CSC(4) Away Lost 1-4

Friendlies
1983 Home Won 6-1 (George Best match)
1984 Away Won 5-3 Jock Logan Memorial match
2012 PSF Away Won 2-1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...