GO WEST...

Too often these days, football is looked upon as little more than an exercise in commercialism, leaving little room for any `romance` in the beautiful game.   Well, here`s a romantic story.   It concerns the exploits of Truro City FC, who have become the first club in the history of football in England to achieve five promotions in six years.   They have just become champions of the Southern League and next season they will be competing in the Conference South - just two steps away from the Football League.

As if that wasn`t romantic enough, just consider their location - the county town of Cornwall lies 286 miles from London, a round trip of 572 miles.     Possibly their longest round trip this season has been the 950 miles to already relegated Halesowen but each time they have had an away match, the distances and the time involved have been considerable.   Now that Truro City are promoted, they can `look forward` to journeys such as to Dover (668 miles there and back); Bishops Stortford (656 miles); possibly Lowestoft if they get promoted (842 miles) and even Cambridge City if they win the play-offs (a mere 704 miles.)   Their only local derby will be the visit to Weston-super-Mare, `only` a  296 mile return journey, whilst in all Truro will clock over 10,000 miles during next season, putting them third overall nationally, behind Carlisle United and Plymouth Argyle.

Now, having achieved the remarkable feat of five promotions in six seasons, who is to say they won`t make it six out of seven and advance to the Conference National League at the end of next season?   If they do, it looks like their longest return journey could well be to Barrow-in-Furness, a 1624 mile round trip.   And all this with average home `crowds` of just 394.

As a bit of a Kernowphile, I have a soft spot for all things Cornish but I have nothing but admiration for Truro City Football Club for their rise through the football pyramid and the fortitude of their players, management, staff and supporters for the heroic journeys they have made and will yet make as Cornwall`s flagship football club.   Of course, each of their opponents will have to make their own expeditions to the far south west, but if they have any sense they will make a weekend of it - go west and enjoy the romance that the rare combination of football and Cornwall can bring.  Win, lose or draw.