PLAYERS, parents, officials and supporters gathered at Pennygillam recently for the club’s 2025/26 presentation night.

The clubhouse was packed to see the awards handed out, with new Clarets chairman Liam Tilley overseeing proceedings.

Liam had replaced the popular Alan Bradley during the season, as the former chairman chose to take a well-earned retirement.

It had been a difficult campaign for the club with both the first and second teams having to work hard to retain their respective league places.

Simon Minett had replaced Neil Price as first team manager during the season, assisted by Rob Davis and Dan Banks. All three will return for the 2026/27 season, with hopes high for an improved showing in what, with the return of Helston, Mousehole and St Austell, will be a tough division in South West Peninsula League Premier West.

Darren Volz’s second team finished their campaign strongly to guarantee another season in St Piran League Division One East. Darren, who will be assisted by Andrew Honey, will continue to provide a valuable pathway through to senior football for the club’s younger players.

The development team were forced to withdraw from the league late in the season, when many of their players stepped up into the reserves. However, the team will return to the St Piran League for the forthcoming campaign, in a stronger position to compete as the integration of Southgate Colts into the club begins to pay dividends. The side will continue to be managed by Steve Stoppard, once again assisted by Tom Rutter.

The ladies side continue to develop and will next season experience another season of competitive football in Cornwall Women’s League Division Two.

The winners of the respective team awards were as follows: First Team – Manager’s Player of the Year – Sam Tattersall; Players’ Player of the Year – Tom Manuel; Supporters’ Player of the Year – Kian Berry; Young Player of the Year – Jack Stephens; Top Goalscorer – Lee Robinson.

Reserves: Manager’s Player of the Year – Danny Mitchell; Players’ Player of the Year – George Durham; Supporters’ Player of the Year – Josh Chidley; Young Player of the Year – Cory Chapman; Top Goalscorer – Josh Chidley.

Ladies: Player of the Year – Ria Tilley; Players’ Player of the Year – Nicola Sillifant; Sporting Trophy – Leah Denne; Most Improved – Georgia Hill.

In other club news, the first team have lost two of their fixtures for the upcoming season following the withdrawal of St Day, who have taken voluntary relegation after being unable to source a new manager following the decision of the long-serving Joff Mallaber to step down.

The Clarets have also found out their first team fixtures for the 2026/27 season in SWPL Premier West. They start with an away game on Tuesday, August 11 at last year’s bottom side Dobwalls before another away trip to Wadebridge Town on Saturday the 22nd.

They round off the month with home games against Holsworthy and promoted Hayle on the 25th and 29th respectively.

Launceston’s local derbies with Camelford are set for Tuesday, September 22 (H) and Saturday, November 14 (A), while as usual the games against Callington Town are set for Boxing Day and Good Friday, the latter at Pennygillam which is set to be the final game of the season.

Fixtures against Bude Town are on November 7 (A) and February 27.