Truro City give a heartfelt reaction on making history with promotion to the National League after winning the National League South title.
The Tinners become the first Cornish team in the fifth tier of English football. 3,597 fans packed out the newly built 3,600-capacity stadium for the game on Saturday, six teams were all battling to become league champions.
Truro’s 5-2 victory over St Albans secured the title on goal difference over Torquay. This triumph follows a challenging period, including playing ‘home’ games 390 miles away in Gloucester last year.
Truro City’s Canadian owner, Eric Perez said in a statement via the club website: Dear sponsors, staff, players, and our unbelievable fans,
Yesterday marked a historic moment in the proud history of Truro City Football Club, a moment that belongs to every single one of you. With immense pride and emotion, I am writing to thank you all for the incredible support, commitment, and belief that have carried us on this journey to the National League.
To our sponsors, your unwavering support has been the foundation on which we have built our success. Your belief in Truro City, both on and off the pitch, has allowed us to grow, improve, and dream bigger. We are proud to carry your names with us as we move onto the national stage.
To our staff, your tireless work behind the scenes often goes unseen, but never unnoticed. From the training ground to the matchday operations, your passion, dedication, and professionalism have been vital to everything we have achieved.
To our players, you have worn the shirt with heart, determination, and pride. You have battled through every challenge, overcome every setback, and shown the spirit and resilience that define what it means to be part of Truro City.
And most of all, to our incredible fans: this moment is for you. Through every high and low, you have stood by us, sung for us, and believed in the dream. Your loyalty has been our driving force, and without you, none of this would be possible. You are the heartbeat of Truro City.
Now is the time to celebrate and not just promotion, but the unity, belief, and spirit that have brought us here. Tomorrow, the hard work begins again, as we continue to represent our club, our city, and Cornwall with pride on the national stage.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for believing in the journey.
This is our time – Up the Tinners!
Eric Perez
Chairman and CEO
Truro City Football Club
Perez said, per ITV News: “Two hours before the game started, it was already an incredible atmosphere.
“Blinding start from the boys and just kept going from strength to strength, had a couple of scares there.
“We had our eyes on the other score, but in the end we got the job done. I think we’re worthy champions.
“Even at full time I was reluctant to celebrate until the Torquay game had finished. It looked like they put up a great effort but it was our day today and it feels great.
“It’s kind of hard to believe that Cornwall now has a side in the National League. There are going to be some pretty hefty away days and I know the fans will be with us.
“This is the first time this has ever happened. First of all, a Cornish side has never been in this division before and Truro City achieved that – now we’re the first to get to the next one.
“I think this is a microcosm of what’s happening in Cornwall right now. The place is on the up, Cornwall is on the up. Cornish people deserve this and have always deserved this. I’m really proud that we could give it to them.
“We’re going to take this stadium and increase the capacity because we’ve got plenty of land here. Clearly we’ve got the demand and maybe one day we can be in the Football League.
“Everyone’s been doubting us all year. If they continue to doubt us, that’s fine – we feed off of that anyway so we’ll see what happens.
“One of the most exciting days of my life. Everybody that is here will remember that they were here. I’m so happy I could share this moment with everyone in Cornwall and I think it’s party time now.”
“It’s been a rollercoaster season,” Truro City manager John Askey told BBC Sport.
“None of us thought we’d be here today celebrating winning the league.
“It doesn’t get any better, it’s been a fantastic effort by the players and I’m just really pleased for Truro and all of Cornwall.”
Askey revealed that he didn’t expect his side to get off to the start they did on Saturday.
“I’ve never seen it before. For a promotion team who’s got to win, to score three goals in such a short space of time.
“Then when we did get a bit of a setback and it went 3-1, to come straight back and make it 4-1, it’s been a special day and one we need to enjoy.”
Tyler Harvey, who scored Truro’s third goal to put the home side 3-0 up after 10 minutes, said it’s a “special” occasion.
He said: “We’ve been away from Truro for a long time and for our first season back to win promotion is pretty special so I think everyone is pretty happy today.
“People tried writing us off – I think we were favourites to get relegated, but that only stimulated us to kick on.
“Everything’s against us, we travel 10 times more than anyone in this league, we hadn’t been at home in God knows how long – so it’s a very sweet feeling right now.
“Since the new owners [have come in], they’ve certainly invested. Look at this place; it’s ready for the league above and the ambition was always to get promoted.
“That’s the story of Truro. We always do things the hard way, the interesting way, but as long as we get it done, it tastes a little bit better.”
Deba Sidhu, a goalkeeping coach and the football secretary, has spent two decades at Truro City, said: “I’ve been here for 20 years at the football club.
“This is the best achievement by a country mile for me.
“It’s going to bring so much business locally as well.
“I actually had enough of travelling to Gloucester. When we came back home, it was worth waiting for.”
Fans took to social media as Truro City give heartfelt reaction on making history with promotion to the National League…
@OllieR36028: Congrats, you lot unbelievable season. Hopefully, torquay and truro both go up, but john askey has done wonders for you lot. South west united together
@DerwentReds: Absolutely made up for John Askey & Truro 👌
@BAKinEnglish: Congratulations to John Askey, Truro and Cornish football. Ideally, there’ll be no York City v Truro City fixture next season, but if we stay down, then a trip to Cornwall (August, September or April please) is not a bad consolation.
@stevewill007: After the trials and tribulations of the past few seasons, it is an outstanding achievement to win this league, which is incredibly tough. Fabulous achievement and congratulations to all involved with the club. May it inspire you to further success next season 👏👏👏👏
@MattSB92: Well done Truro City!! History made as Cornwall now has a team in the national league! This time last year Truro were ground sharing 200 miles away
@Lightning5432: Congratulations Truro from a Worthing fan. Even though I’m gutted that we didn’t win the league, I am so glad that you lot won it instead. What a story from last year to this year. Inspirational stuff. All the best next year in the NL, you‘re gonna need it. And a lot of petrol 😂
@onebarian1: At last a Cornish (and my local) team into the National league, been through some torrid times over the last few year which makes this such a superb achievement 👏
@elobf_kjs: Really pleased to see @TCFC_Official Truro City promoted to the National League over the weekend. There are gonna be some ultra long away days for many fans when they play Carlisle Utd, Gateshead & Hartlepool (and vice versa) next season but that that’s the beauty of football …
@seanwhite89: You become a national league side. And as Gateshead fan I look forward to heading down on the 952 mile round trip, you boys will receive a very warm welcome when you make to the journey up to us
@MickCordukes: John Askey does it again, what a manager
@tommyf1996: Sir John Askey. He kick started our recent improvement and has achieved an incredible achievement at Truro. One away day too look forward to next season if we don’t go up! #ycfc
@HawesLucan: Chuffed to bits for you and particularly for John Askey – a top top manager who deserves tonight’s celebrations – and hope you go well in the NL next season
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