2025-26 PREVIEW: TRURO CITY

 History was made last season when Truro City won promotion to the National League and another chapter could be written in the 2025-26 campaign, if they upset the odds and survive in the fifth tier. 

A lot has been made about the distances that they'll be travelling in 2025-26 to far flung locations like Carlisle, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe and York etc; however, what could be seen as their biggest weaknesses could, in the right circumstances be their greatest strength. 

In addition to the travelling that they'll be making to away games, trips to the Tinners' Truro City Stadium will represent the longest journey of the campaign for all of their fellow National League sides. 

So their fortunes may depend on whether they can make their Truro City Stadium home into a fortress. 

It is also worth noting that their manager John Askey is one of the most experienced managers in non-league football, having not only won promotion from National League South, but having won promotion from National League North with York City and the National League with Macclesfield Town. His success with the Silkmen in 2017-18 was achieved against the odds with a budget that wasn't amongst the largest in the division. 

Askey has mainly recruited locally over the close season, bringing in Lirak Hasani following his release by Torquay United and Harry Kite and Aidan Stone have signed from Yeovil Town. Luke Jephcott and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain have turned their loan deals of last season into permanent moves. 

However, Truro will need to fill the void left by the departure of Jezie Kabia to Grimsby Town.  

The Tinners' 'against all odds' ethos has got them to the National League, but they will need it again to help keep them there. 

Player to Watch: Harry Kite

Former Exeter City starlet Harry Kite struggled to find a club after experiencing a serious injury while with the Grecians. However, if he can maintain his fitness levels with the Tinners, he could get himself a move back to the EFL. 

In: Lirak Hasani (Torquay United), Harry Kite (Yeovil Town), Luke Jephcott (Newport County), Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain (Aldershot Town)

Out: Andrew Neal (Plymouth Parkway)

2025-26 PREVIEW: YEOVIL TOWN

 In their second season back in the National League after winning promotion in 2023-24, Yeovil Town will be looking to build on last season's finish of 18th. 

The Glovers are under new ownership with Dubai-based businessman Prabhu Srinivasan taking over as owner from Martin Hellier, with director Stuart Robins taking on the role of Executive Chairman. 

Finding a new owner hasn't been the only change at Huiish Park, as the Glovers have found a new training base in Bristol at the SGS Campus. 

On the transfer front, former loanee Tahvon Campbell returns to Huish Park on a permanent basis following his release by Solihull Moors. Kyle Ferguson also makes a full time return to Huish Park following a successful loan from Rochdale last season. 

For the last decade stability has been in short supply for Yeovil, as they fell from the second tier to the sixth. However, steady progress appears to be the order of the day nowadays for the Glovers. 

A  play-off charge in 2025-26 will probably be too soon for Mark Cooper's side, but a top half finish would represent visible progress. 

 Player to Watch: Tahvon Campbell

After previously appearing for the Glovers earlier in his career as young loanee in 2016 and 2017 Tahvon Campbell was returned to Huish Park to lead the forward line. A proven National League striker from his spells with Woking, Wealdstone and Solihull Moors, Campbell's pace and movement has the potential to be a real asset for Yeovil. 

 In: James Daly (Harrogate Town), Tahvon Campbell (Solihull Moors) Kyle Ferguson (Rochdale), Byron Pendleton and Ben Wodskou (Birmingham City, loan), Jed Ward (Bristol Rovers, loan), Luke McCormick (Bristol Rovers) Junior Morias

Out: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Jordan Thomas (Torquay United), Aidan Stone and Harry Kite (Truro City), Dom Bernard, Caleb Hughes, Michael Smith, Marcel Lavinier, Will Buse,

ON THIS DAY - EXETER CITY 1 EVERTON 4 CHRIS CURRAN TESTIMONIAL

Premier League clubs playing pre-season friendlies in the South West and testimonials don’t happen as frequently as they used to these days, but a quarter of a century ago, one of the top-flight big boys featured in a testimonial for one of Westcountry football’s finest servants.

Since making his debut for Torquay United during the 1990-91 season, Chris Curran helped the Gulls to win promotion through the Play-offs from the ‘old’ Fourth Division against Blackpool at Wembley in 1991.

He was then signed by Plymouth Argyle in the 1995-96 campaign when Neil Warnock, who managed him during his brief spell at Plainmoor in 1992-93 – when he led United to a ‘great escape’, and featured for the Pilgrims in their Third Division Play-off final win over Darlington in 1996.

A year later, Curran became one of the select band of players to appear for all three of Devon’s professional sides when he signed for Exeter City for £20,000 in the summer of 1997.

In recognition of his service to football in the South West, Everton, who were playing in a three-match tour of the Westcountry, agreed to face the Grecians with a full-strength side.

On the day, the Toffees ran out as 4-1 winners with Swedish winger Niclas Alexandersson opening the scoring before Ghanian midfielder Alex Nyarko netted a brace before teenage starlet Francis Jeffers added a fourth. Defender Mark Burrows managed a late consolation for the Grecians.

Everton’s first goal came in the 16^th minute when Alexandersson latched onto a cross from Jeffers, who looked every inch the ‘fox in the box’ that Arsene Wenger described him as when he signed him for Arsenal a year later and volleyed the ball into the net.

Everton's second goal was a speculative 18-yard effort from Nyarko which Grecians keeper Arjan Van Heusden got a hand to but couldn't prevent from hitting the back of the net.

Everton's third and Nyarko's second came with a left foot from eight yards out just before half time.

In the second half, the heat began to take its toll, but American striker Joe-Max Moore forced a save from Van Heusden on 56 minutes.  Just under ten minutes later, the Toffees increased their lead to four when Mark Pembridge received the ball on the halfway line, ran 35 yards unchallenged, and crossed to Jeffers in the box, who nodded home to score the goal which his endeavours deserved.

The biggest cheer of the day from both sets of supporters was when Paul Gascoigne came on as substitute for Mark Hughes after 67 minutes.

In the 90^th minute, Burrows pulled one back for City after the Everton defence failed to clear a corner.

2025-26 PREVIEW: TORQUAY UNITED

 After missing out on promotion last season, Torquay United will be aiming to go one better under Paul Wotton and clinch a return to the National League. 

The Gulls narrowly missed out on winning the league title to Truro City on goal difference before losing to Boreham Wood in the play-offs, which the Wood eventually went on to win, but are looking well equipped to go again. 

In response, Wotton has looked to add to his squad, particularly in the midfield, where he has reunited former Yeovil duo Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Matt Worthington and has handed the captain's armband to the latter. The return of former loanee Callum Dolan on a permanent basis and the capture of Monashe Sundire also give Wotton more options in the centre of the park. 

The experienced Louis Dennis also boosts the attacking options available to Wotton and Sonny Fish has been recruited to provide competition for last season's leading scorer Cody Cooke. 

Last season, Wotton started off with a strong defence which was built on a back three of Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer and Jay Foulston and goalkeeper James Hamon, as the Gulls proved to be strong, resolute and tough to beat in the opening months of the season - bar their FA Cup exit to Bishops Cleeve. 

Over the course of the campaign, he added more flair to the squad with the additions of Jordan Young and Dylan Morgan from Yeovil Town and Matt Jay, following his release by Colchester, and the return of Will Jenkins Davies (now Bath City) from Plymouth Argyle on loan. 

With his new signings, Wotton's now has a more complete look to it and he will be looking to hit the ground running when they face Enfield Town in their first league match of the season, an occasion when the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.  

Player to Watch: Matt Worthington

Central midfielder Matt Worthington returned south to join the Gulls in the summer after leaving Yeovil Town to join Oldham Athletic midway through the 2024-25 campaign. Worthington has been handed the captain's armband and will be looking to add a promotion to the one that he, along with several of his current Plainmoor teammates, won with the Glovers in 2023-24. 

In: Monashe Sundire (Tamworth), Louis Dennis (Bromley), Callum Dolan (Fleetwood Town), Sonny Fish (Crawley Town), Jordan Thomas and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (Yeovil Town), Matt Worthington (Oldham Athletic)

Out: Dean Moxey (Tiverton Town), Offrande Zanzala (Chester FC), Lirak Hasani (Truro City), Brad Ash (Bath City), Ben Seymour (Taunton Town season-long loan), Omar Mussa (Wealdstone), Oscar Threlkeld, Finley Craske

2025-26 PREVIEW: EXETER CITY

As Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell heads towards his third anniversary as Grecians' boss, he could well be embarking on his most challenging yet. 

Finances have been tight at St James Park over the summer, and with no saleable assets that immediately appear to look as though they could follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ollie Watkins and Ethan Ampadu, which has led to some questioning whether their Supporter's Trust model has reached the end of its life span. 

The club's run of playing academy products in 479 consecutive products came to an end last August, but there are signs a new crop could be ready to emerge. Nevertheless, while they will need to prove that they can deal with the rigours of League One football, the Grecians have always been patient when it comes to developing young players. 

However, Caldwell has been active in the loan market, bringing goalkeeper Joe Whitworth back to the club on loan from Crystal Palace and has also acquired Ryan Rydel from Stockport County, Ethan Brierley from Brentford and Sil Swinkels from Aston Villa. 

Older heads such as returning Kevin McDonald and Pierce Sweeney, who celebrated his testimonial against Swansea City in pre-season, could also prove to be important figures within the dressing room.  

From the outside, survival appears to be City's first priority. However, Caldwell will be hoping for more as they aim to extend what has been one of their longest post-war spells in the third tier since they won promotion in 2021-22. 

Player to Watch: Jayden Wareham

If the Grecians are going to retain their League One status, then scoring goals will be crucial and former Chelsea youngster Jayden Wareham could be the player to do just that. 

He will also wearing the number nine shirt, which was famously retired following the untimely death of Adam Stansfield with the blessing of Stansfield's family.  

 In: Johnly Yfeko (Rangers), Ethan Brierley (Brentford, loan), Ryan Rydel (Stockport County, loan), Joe Whitworth (Crystal Palace, loan), Sil Swinkels (Aston Villa, loan), Jack Bycroft (Southampton), Jayden Wareham (Reading)

Out: Jake Richards (Luton Town), Caleb Watts (Plymouth Argyle), Ben Purrington (Cambridge United), Demetri Mitchell (Leyton Orient), Vincent Harper (Walsall), Cheick Diabate (St Johnstone), Jay Bird (Salford City), Ryan Woods (Oldham Athletic), Mitch Beardmore (Bath City), Shaun MacDonald, Sonny Lee

2025-26 PREVIEW: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

 The last time that Plymouth Argyle headed into a League One campaign following relegation from the Championship, they did so with a former Everton and England midfielder in charge. 

However, that looks to be where the similarities begin and end with the 2010-11 season, which saw the Pilgrims enter Administration and manager Peter Reid paid the heating bill and even auctioned off his 1986 FA Cup runners-up medal. 

Instead, current Argyle boss Tom Cleverley will be looking to build a new side who can emerge as a force in the third tier, which hopefully, in time, can return to the Championship. 

The summer has been notable for the departures of Ryan Hardie, homegrown midfielder Adam Randell and Ukrainian centre back Maksym Talerov amongst others. However, Cleverley, in tandem with head of football operations David Fox, has recruited a number of new faces who can become heroes for the Green Army. 

Amongst the new faces are Xavier Amaechi, who has played for England at a variety of youth levels - but has spent his senior career in Germany, and striker Owen Oseni from St Mirren who Cleverley will be hoping can fill the void left by Hardie. The signing of attacking midfielder Jamie Paterson will also add more experience to the squad, with club captain Joe Edwards also remaining at the club. 

Also, young starlets Caleb Roberts and Freddie Issaka will be looking to become the standard bearers for the club's academy products, following the departure of Randell.  

Cleverley is still on the lookout for a number 9, who would give his side a more complete look. Nevertheless, the loan market could provide him with an option. 

If everything can come together for the Pilgrims, a challenge for an immediate return to the Championship could be within their reach.  However, if this proves not to be the case, then they will have a strong base to build from next season. 

Over the course of the campaign, the Pilgrims will be reacquainted with a couple of old friends in the form of ex managers Ryan Lowe and Steven Schumacher, who are now in charge of Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers respectively. They will also be coming up against former midfielder Conor Hourihane, who is embarking on his first managerial role with Barnsley. 

Player to Watch: Bali Mumba

In the wake of the summer departures of Hardie and Randell, Bali Mumba is now only one of a few of Argyle's key figures from their record breaking Championship campaign of 2023-24. If the Pilgrims do manage to achieve a second promotion, then Mumba, should he remain at Home Park in the meantime, would have played an important role.  

In: Jamie Paterson (Coventry City), Caleb Watts (Exeter City), Jack McKenzie (Aberdeen), Brendam Wiredu (Fleetwood Town), Xavier Amaechi (Madgeburg), Brendan Ibrahim (Hertha Berlin), Bim Pepple (Luton Town), Owen Oseni (St Mirren), Luca Ashby-Hammond (Fulham)

Out: Maksym Talerov (Stoke City), Ryan Hardie (Wrexham), Adam Randell (Bristol City), Rami Al Hajj (Michael Baidoo (Umm Salal, loan), Callum Wright (Wigan Athletic, loan), Nathanael Ogbeta (Barnsley, loan), Will Jenkins Davies (Bath City), Jordan Houghton

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS NEWPORT COUNTY

 1. Dylan Morgan is on song. 

After his return from injury, winger Dylan Morgan has almost been like a new signing for the Gulls. He made it two in two in pre-season as he followed up his brace against Buckland with United's opener against Newport. 

In the 23rd minute, Morgan cut inside onto his right and found the target with an angled effort, as United raced into a three-goal lead by half time. 

2. A first glimpse of Matt Worthington. 

The speculation was finally over when the signing of former Yeovil midfielder Matt Worthington was announced on Thursday, and the Plainmoor faithful got their first glimpse of him in action against Newport. 

Donning the captain's armband, Worthington produced an assured display in the centre of park and led by example, which bodes well for the forthcoming campaign. 

3. Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer seem to be carrying on where they left off. 

The centre back pairing of Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer emerged as two of United's stars of the 2024-25 campaign, and they have carried on where they left off in pre-season. 

Dyer was a threat at set pieces and headed home a cross from Jordan Young on 29 minutes, shortly after he headed a corner from Young against the bar. Dreyer was the only outfield player to play for the full 90 minutes and he looked solid throughout. He also took over the captain's armband after Matt Worthington was substituted at half time.  

4. Competition for places. 

Following Paul Wotton's summer recruitment, competition for places looks set to be fierce for the 2025-26 campaign. In midfield, Wotton has Matt Worthington, Monashe Sundire, Sonny-Blu Lo-Everton, Callum Dolan and Dan Hayfield to choose from. Up front, Louis Dennis will be competing with Matt Jay for the number 10 spot in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and can also play as a number 9 should last season's leading scorer Cody Cooke not be available. 

Between now and August 9, when the Gulls face Enfield Town in their opening National League South fixture, Paul Wotton will be have plenty to think about when it comes to naming his first XI.