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Penzance Association Football Club
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WELCOME to the official website of Penzance Football Club, with all the news from Penlee Park. We are affiliated to the Cornwall County FA, Carlsberg South West Peninsula League, Jolly's Cornwall Combination League, Women's SW Combination and Jaipur Cornwall Women's League.
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JUNE NEWS FROM THE MAGPIES
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> PENZANCE SET FOR START OF PRE-SEASON TRAINING ...
Training for the 2008/2009 season will start at Marazion AFC on Tuesday, July 1 at 7pm. Players are asked to bring trainers and boots.
For further details contact football secretary John Mead on 01736 369066 or football manager Trevor Mewton on 07827 324 696.
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> MEWTON GETS TO WORK ON SIGNINGS ...
NEW Penzance manager Trevor Mewton is set to welcome a host of new signings when the Magpies commence pre-season training on Tuesday night.
Mewton, who took charge of the Magpies earlier this month after managing Truro City reserves last season, recently made ex-Penzance midfielder Mark Vercesi his first major summer capture.
But Mewton, Vercesi’s former boss during their time at St Blazey, has been working tirelessly to secure the services of more quality players – and has also persuaded several former Magpies to return to Penlee Park as he looks to assemble a squad capable of achieving promotion to the premier division of the South West Peninsula League.
See Thursday’s Cornishman for full story.
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> Some dates for your diary ...
Tuesday July 1: Pre-season training commences, 7pm at Marazion AFC.
Sunday July 6: Penzance Ladies FC commence training.
Monday July 7: committee meeting, 7.30pm at the Magpies Club.
Saturday July 26: Porthleven v Penzance (Dave Gardner Memorial Tournament) 3pm.
Tuesday July 29: Falmouth Town v Penzance (Dave Gardner Memorial Tournament) 7.30pm.
Saturday August 2: Penzance v Helston (Dave Gardner Memorial Tournament Finals Day at Falmouth) 2pm.
Saturday August 16: Penzance v Penryn Athletic - SWPL Division One West 2.45pm.
* FULL SEASON'S FIXTURE SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE - CLICK ON 2008-09 FIXTURES ...
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> LADIES TAKE THE PLAUDITS AT MAGPIES ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT ...
PENZANCE AFC held their presentation evening on Friday at the Magpies Club, where the club’s all-conquering ladies’ teams deservedly took centre stage.
Indeed, the first part of the evening was taken up with the presentations to the ladies’ section of the club, with the team managers congratulated on a successful season which saw the first team, reserves and Under 12s all become champions of their respective leagues.
It was announced that ladies’ training will resume on Sunday, July 6, at a time and venue to be arranged. Any prospective new players are welcome. For the first team call Christian Lett on 07782 375773, or for the reserves call Mike Kearon on 07887 886390.
The trophies were presented by team managers Christian Lett, Mike Kearon and Bert Lawrence.
Ladies award winners: Manager’s player of the year: Dani Small (1st XI), Clare Todd (Reserves); players’ player: Dani Small (1sts), Candice Britten (Res); supporters’ player: Julie Lawrence (1sts), Gemma Fitzgerald (Res); most improved: Becky Hall (1sts), Gemma Sanders (Res); most sporting player: Lyndsey Williams.
* Two Penzance Under 18 players, Gary Matthews and Murray Westren, had presentations made to them on behalf of team manager Maurice Holland for their fine performances during the season, prior to the start of the reserve team awards.
Sam Long was presented with a trophy for the reserves’ leading scorer, the players’ player award went to Mark Grenfell, supporters’ reserve team player was Alfie Turner and the managers’ player was Danny Michael.
First team award winners: Footballer of the year, Stuart Reynolds; players’ player, Steve Burt; sportsman of the year, James Street; supporters’ player of the year, James Greet; most promising young player, Sam Long; young player of the year, Jack Liddicoat and the final trophy for Clubman of the Year went to long-serving stalwart Keith Osborne.
Trophies were presented by chairman Neil Badcock, president Jim Dann, secretary John Mead and vice-chairman John Richards.
To end the official duties of the evening Mr Badcock invited the Magpies’ new manager Trevor Mewton to say a few words.
Mr Mewton outlined his plans to offer opportunities for young players in the district at Penzance Football Club – and also for those players who were involved with the club last season and in previous years, stating that everybody would be given an opportunity.
* Training for the 2008/2009 season will start at Marazion AFC next Tuesday, July 1 at 7pm.
Players are asked to bring trainers and boots.
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> AT LAST! WE'RE BACK ... WEBSITE BACK UP AND RUNNING AFTER A TWO-MONTH ABSENCE!! ...
Apologies for the lack of online activity at Penzance AFC since the end of March, due to a lack of available time, holidays and work commitments.
At last week's AGM, a new-look improved club website for Penzance AFC was among the many subjects discussed - and it is hoped that this may be up and running sometime in the near future.
Until then, I will do my best to keep this site as up to date as possible throughout the remainder of the close season, including full sets of fixtures for the season ahead and updates to sections throughout the site.
Pz AFC Webmaster.
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> CHAIRMAN PREDICTS A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR MAGPIES ...
PENZANCE Football Club are going places – chairman Neil Badcock told Monday’s well attended annual meeting at the Magpies Club.
Mr Badcock outlined the club’s ambitious plans for the future, which include a revised set of proposals for the redevelopment of its Penlee Park ground and the relocation of the clubhouse and changing facilities.
He also explained the forthcoming implementation of the new Penzance Football Partnership, which will encompass local junior and women’s football teams, in addition to the club’s existing men’s and women’s teams and U18 side.
Mr Badcock told members that he was delighted that the highly successful Trevor Mewton had become the club’s new manager.
But he also insisted that the future of the club very much lay with the youth set-up and this was one area, in particular, which the club were keen to develop and flourish in the years ahead under Mewton’s tenure.
The Magpies’ chairman also delivered a clear message to any player remaining with or considering joining the club for the coming season:
He said: “Anyone that signs for Penzance Football Club this season will benefit from a standard of coaching and development not seen by players at this club for many years,” he promised.
He added that work to improve the playing surface at Penlee Park was ongoing through the summer months and that there would be a vast reduction in the number of fixtures played at the ground during the new season.
Officers elected: President: Jim Dann; chairman: Neil Badcock; vice-chairman: John Richards; football secretary: John Mead; treasurer: Ian Robinson; commercial manager: Des Hosken; assistant secretary: Nathan Richards; Committee: Dawn Bateman, Phyllis Lawrence, Terry Burgess, Les Ladner, John Williams, Grant Porterfield, Jim McKenna, Steve Squires, Paul Smith, Michelle Smith, James Campbell.
> ANNUAL PRESENTATION EVENING: This is due to be held on Friday, 20 June. For details contact John Mead on Pz 01736 369066 or 07952 312 906.
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> OLD FRIENDS TO BE REUNITED AT PENLEE
> NEW Penzance boss Trevor Mewton has secured his first major summer signing with the capture of Truro City midfielder Mark Vercesi.
The return to Penlee Park of the 28-year-old midfield maestro represents a clear statement of intent by Mewton, who recently took up his new role at Penlee Park after stepping down as Truro City’s reserve team boss at the end of last season.
Vercesi made 50 appearances for Truro City last term, scoring 12 goals as the club secured the Western League premier division championship.
The former St Blazey, Penzance, Mousehole, Erith & Belvedere and Tonbridge Angels star capped a memorable season for the Treyew Road outfit with two dramatic stoppage time goals, an equaliser against Dawlish which virtually assured City the league title and his injury time winner which gave City victory over Saltash in the Cornwall Senior Cup final at Wadebridge.
His efforts won him City chairman Kevin Heaney’s player of the year award.
However, Vercesi declined the offer of a new contract at the end of the season, and Mewton, his former mentor at St Blazey, has acted quickly to snap up his former club captain at Blaise Park.
Vercesi is set to be the first of several new arrivals at Penlee Park in the coming weeks, with several Porthleven players strongly linked with a move to the Magpies.
Indeed, the Fishermen’s veteran goalkeeper Sid Taylor has already told Port boss Gary Marks he would be joining the Magpies as assistant to their new boss Trevor Mewton, while Andrew Westgarth, who topped the Division One West goal scoring charts last season, also confirmed that he is joining the Penlee Park revolution.
“I expect that James Miller, Jamie Burr and Mark Hollands will also be going to Penzance, but they haven’t yet officially told me they are leaving,” former Penzance manager Marks added.
Rumours have been rife recently that the Gala Parc club was in financial trouble and was lacking in ambition, but an annoyed Marks vehemently refuted this suggestion.
He said: “Porthleven is a very ambitious club and we certainly want to get into the Premier League, but only when the time is right for the club.
“And who’s to say that might not be next season.”
“The club is not in trouble and people shouldn’t forget that although we are probably losing five good players, we are still retaining 14 from last season’s successful squad.”
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> DAVE GARDNER MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT DETAILS ...
PENZANCE'S pre-season friendlies will commence on Saturday, July 26 when they play Porthleven in the Dave Gardner Memorial Tournament (supporters please note that there is a strong possibility that due to pitch improvement work at Penlee Park, this tie may well be switched to Porthleven's Gala Parc).
The Magpies then take on Falmouth on Tuesday July 29 (7.30pm) before playing Helston on finals day, also at Falmouth, on Saturday August 2 (2pm).
Dave Gardner Memorial Tournament fixtures: Saturday July 26: Helston v Falmouth; Penzance v Porthleven (both 3pm). Tuesday July 29: Falmouth v Penzance (7.30pm). Wednesday July 30: Porthleven v Helston (7.30pm). Saturday August 2: At Falmouth (Final Day): Penzance v Helston (2pm); Falmouth v Porthleven (5pm). Followed by trophy presentation.
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> PENINSULA LEAGUE FIXTURES ANNOUNCED ...
PENZANCE begin their 2008-2009 Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Division One West season at home to Penryn on Saturday August 16.
PENWITH’S triumvirate of representatives in Division One West of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League all start their seasons on Saturday, August 16.
League secretary Phil Hiscox has again excelled himself by producing the fixtures for the new campaign before the second week of June has been completed, the first league to do so in the entire country.
Mousehole, who enjoyed an excellent first season in the new league, finishing in third place, start the new campaign at home to Goonhavern, while Penzance have been handed an attractive opening fixture at home to Penryn Athletic.
Hayle, who also enjoyed an impressive debut season start the new campaign away to Plymouth side Vospers Oak Villa.
There will be some eagerly awaited derby meetings between the Penwith clubs early in the season, with Hayle hosting Penzance on Tuesday August 19. The Magpies then host Mousehole three days later on Friday, August 22.
* Carlsberg South West Pensinsula League opening fixtures for Penwith teams:
Sat Aug 16: Penzance v Penryn; Mousehole v Goonhavern; Vospers v Hayle. Tues Aug 19: Hayle v Penzance. Fri Aug 22: Penzance v Mousehole, Sat Aug 23: Millbrook v Hayle. Sat Aug 30: Hayle v Goonhavern; Mousehole v Newquay; Vospers v Penzance. Sat Sept 6: Foxhole v Penzance; Hayle v Plymstock; St Austell v Mousehole. Tues Sept 9: Porthleven v Mousehole. Weds Sept 10: Penzance v Wendron; Sat Sept 13: Dobwalls v Penzance; Mousehole v Vospers; Wendron v Hayle.
* Peninsula League local derbies:
Tues Aug 19: Hayle v Penzance. Fri Aug 22: Penzance v Mousehole; Tues Sept 9: Porthleven v Mousehole; Sat Sept 20: Mousehole v Hayle. Sat Sept 27: Hayle v Mousehole; Sat Oct 25: Mousehole v Porthleven; Weds Nov 19: Penzance v Hayle; Sat Nov 22: Porthleven v Hayle; Fri Dec 26: Penzance v Porthleven; Sat Mar 14: Mousehole v Penzance; Sat Apr 4: Hayle v Porthleven; Fri Apr 10: Porthleven v Penzance.
* NOTE: A complete set of SWPL fixtures for both the premier division and division one west can be found at www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
> MAGPIES LAND RUNNERS-UP PRIZE IN PROGRAMME AWARDS ...
PENZANCE AFC's matchday programme Magpie Review was awarded 2nd place by the South West Peninsula League's panel of judges.
The club received a total of £364 in prize money at Carlsberg South West Peninsula League dinner and presentation night, which was held at St Mellion Golf & Country Club.
The Magpies received £250 for the programme award and £114 for their tally of 57 goals, with each member club each having received £2 per goal scored throughout the campaign.
Premier Division champions Bodmin Town received £2,500 and both Budleigh Salterton (Division One East) Wadebridge Town (Division One West) £1,500 each. The Throgmorton Cup winners Bodmin Town received £1,500 and finalists Tavistock £800.
Awards given out also included the Insure TQ Golden Boots presented by Mark Hayman to the trio of divisional leading scorers - Mark Berry (26 for Plymouth Parkway), Andy Westgarth (26 for Porthleven) and Nick Robbins (28 for the University of Exeter).
The award for the best referee went to Steve Annis of Helston.
Awards for the best grounds were decided strictly by clubs voting for their fellow divisional members and these saw Buckland Athletic named as best Ground in the Premier Division, in the Western section the award went to Penryn Athletic. Sportsmanship awards, sponsored by Cornish Homes, were presented by Kevin Heaney. Holsworthy were the best behaved Premier club, runners-up were Launceston. In the West, Vospers Oak Villa were the winners and Camelford the runners-up. Each Divisional winner received £300 and each runner-up £200.
The best programme award had three prizes, third place went to Wadebridge Town and their programme editor Damian Cudmore (£200) with fellow West Division side Penzance (editor Nathan Richards) picking up second place (£250), the overall winners were Buckland Athletic and their editor Paul Hardingham. Buckland received £300.
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> MEWTON IS THE NEW MAN IN CHARGE OF THE MAGPIES:
ONE of Cornish football’s worst-kept secrets finally became a reality when the county’s most successful football manager, Trevor Mewton, was appointed as the new man at the helm of Penzance AFC.
Following weeks of widespread speculation, Mewton has beaten what Magpies’ chairman Neil Badcock described as a whole host of top managerial candidates to the Penlee Park hotseat, which had been vacant since the departure of former management duo John McCallum and Adrian Ferrell towards the end of last season.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have brought the man who we consider to be the top manager in Cornish football to Penzance, Badcock told The Cornishman newspaper.
“There are exciting times ahead for this football club and we are looking forward to Trevor playing a leading role in helping to establish the club as a major force in Cornish football.”
Last season Mewton led Truro City reserves to Cornwall Combination League and Cup double success. His departure was a blow to Truro, who also saw first team boss Dave Leonard walk out after being told that City would not be going full time in the Southern League next season.
Mewton, 61, was the most successful manager in the old South Western League’s 56-year history, winning 13 South Western League titles in his managerial career; four with Newquay, two with Falmouth Town and seven during his 10 years in charge of St Blazey.
His most recent success came in the league’s final season, and his last in charge of St Blazey in 2006-2007.
The pinnacle of his career was the 2001-02 season, when St Blazey swept the domestic board by winning the league (33 wins, three draws in 36 games), league cup, Cornwall Senior Cup and Cornwall Charity Cup.
However, Mewton was quick to play down his impressive array of past achievements and insisted that they would count for little in the future.
“What really attracted me to this job was the challenge of building a club from youth level right through to the first team; and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy here, something which I possibly feel I failed to do in any of my previous jobs,” he said.
Introduced to the club’s committee at their monthly meeting on Monday night, Mewton admitted that he had been surprised as anybody when a telephone call to Penzance secretary John Mead had first alerted him to the vacant manager’s position.
He said: “I was contacting John about a completely separate football matter, in relation to a league technicality; and as this was around the time that the club were advertising for a new manager, John immediately assumed that I was contacting him to express an interest in the job.
“I must be honest, if someone had asked me six weeks ago if I would be sat here as the manager of Penzance, there’s probably no way I would have considered taking it on,” he added. “But since then, having spoken to John, who I have known for many, many years, and chatting with Neil and listening to the ambition they have for the future of the club, I could see that this was a fantastic opportunity for me and one which was just too good for the old man to turn down.”
Mead added: “We are delighted that we have managed to secure the services of a manager of Trevor’s calibre and see his appointment as a massive boost for Penzance AFC.
“The tremendous achievements of our local rugby clubs only highlights our own lack of success in recent times.
The committee is determined to ensure that Penzance AFC will once more become a force to be reckoned with in west country football circles and see Trevor as a major ingredient of that process.
“We hope we will be able to rely upon the support of the people and businesses of Penzance to help us achieve our quest.”
Despite his name becoming synonymous with success in his distinguished career, Mewton insisted he had no quick-fix formula that would guarantee the club short term glory.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that a town the size of Penzance should have a team in the premier division of the South West Peninsula League,” he said.
“But I don’t have a magic wand and I’m not going to make promises that we will go and win the league within 12 months or anything like that.
“For me, it’s all about attracting the best local players to this football club and offering them the chance to progress with us, to wear the black and white shirt with pride again and perhaps most importantly, offer them something to aspire to.
“We will turn no-one away, but ultimately their ambition has to be to play premier division football,” he added.
When asked what were the main factors in attracting quality players to the club, Mewton was unequivocal in his response.
“Facilities, facilities and facilities are the three most important things when you ask any player to join a club.” An opinion with which chairman Badcock wholeheartedly concurred. He said: “We will be investing heavily in our pitch and facilities during the summer. It’s absolutely vital that we support Trevor and his players by producing a true playing surface which will offer them every opportunity to play fluent attractive football.
“To that end, there will be a massive reduction in the number of games played at Penlee Park, while we also press forward with plans for improved training facilities which will be of great benefit to all our teams, from the youth and ladies through to the reserves and first team.
Mewton takes full-time control of the Magpies when they return for pre-season training in late June.
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This site has been online since January 31, 2002
Updated: 27 June 2008
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