Truro City completed Cornish footballing immortality in April, as they became the first ever Cornish side to win promotion to the National League following a nail biting six team tussle on the final day of the 2024/2025 National League South season for the league title. The is a club that in the last seventeen years has risen from the Western League Premier Division One all the way to the National League/
Not only did the Tinnermen beat sides such as Torquay, Maidstone and Dorking to the title, Truro did not play games in Cornwall for four years due to leaving their old ground Treyew Road. Gruesome ground shares at Torquay United, Plymouth Parkway and Gloucester city followed, with the latter over 195 miles away from Truro.
Due to finishing 16th the previous season amidst a brutal fixture pile up, Truro were priced as heavy outsiders for the title, with bookies giving them a slim chance. The 2023/2024 season saw them play thirteen games in a 28-day period – over a quarter of their total league games. This run of games saw them win just two games, so nobody would have expected the performance next season.
In the summer, popular manager Paul Wotton departed to fellow National League South side Torquay and was replaced by the experienced John Askey. The 60-year-old was tasked with fighting against relegation, but far exceeded expectations as he led his side to the fifth tier for the first time in their history. 26 wins from 46 was enough to secure the title, with some sides struggling with the long journey to Cornwall.
For a club who has suffered so much on and off the pitch in recent years, the joy and ecstasy once promotion was secured was hard to put into words. On May 10th, the club held a two-hour long title parade, with the bus going past thousands of adoring supporters, followed by a party and an end of seasons award at the stadium.
It is yet to be seen how Truro fare in the National League. It will be the first time in the clubs history they are not playing regionalised football. With a smaller budget compared to most in the league, the extra travelling, particularly to places such as Gateshead, Carlisle and Hartlepool, may have an adverse effect on the TInnermen. At the same time, teams have to make the journey South-West, so Askey will be looking to make the Truro City Stadium a fortress.
Regardless of the outcome of next season, Truro City’s rise through the leagues and through adversity is a real advert for Non-League football and a story worth keeping an eye on as their season takes place.
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