JAKE ASH AND ADAM FLETCHER TO STEP DOWN AT END OF SEASON

Mousehole AFC can confirm that First Team Manager Jake Ash and Director of Football Adam Fletcher will step down from their roles at the end of the current season.

After several demanding seasons building and sustaining a team competing at this level of the game, Jake and Adam feel the time is right to pause and reflect on what has been achieved over a significant period. 

Jake and Adam made the decision some time ago that the end of the season would be the right moment to step down, and have since informed the board of their intention, which the club has, reluctantly, accepted.

While the original plan had been to keep this private until the end of the campaign, it is felt that making the decision public now provides clarity and allows the club to begin planning for the future, while maintaining full focus on the challenge of retaining our Southern League status.

Jake has led the Seagulls for seven seasons, while Adam has played a central role in the club’s football operations for eight years. Together, they have overseen one of the most successful and transformative periods in Mousehole AFC’s history.

Their tenure has seen the club grow both on and off the pitch, guiding the Seagulls through promotions, memorable cup runs, and the continued development of a strong footballing identity that has helped establish Mousehole as a respected presence in the Southern League.

Throughout their time at the club, Jake and Adam have helped establish an environment built on high standards – one that has been relentless in its pursuit of improvement, respectful in its values, and reflective in its approach – leaving a lasting impact on players, staff and supporters alike.

Mousehole AFC Chair Deryk Heywood said:

“Between them, Jake and Adam have given everything to Mousehole over a long period of time, and we’re incredibly grateful for what they’ve achieved.

Jake’s seven years have been nothing short of remarkable. The commitment he’s shown, alongside a full-time teaching job, is something I’ve never seen before. People see the 90 minutes on a Saturday, but the work behind the scenes is relentless – the preparation, the travel, the hours he’s put in to get us where we are. Over 300 games, promotions, winning the Western League and reaching the Southern League playoffs – it’s put Mousehole on the map and given us memories I’ll never forget. Now it’s time for him to enjoy some well-earned time with his family, who’ve all been right behind him.

Adam has been just as important in his own way. I can remember him being born, and to see what he’s become at this football club has been special. He’s a real football person with a brilliant eye for detail and creativity. Whether it was the look of the kit, the feel of the dressing room, or those little touches that make players feel valued, Adam was exceptional. It’s often the small things that make the biggest difference, and he understood that better than anyone. His energy and enthusiasm lifted everyone around him.

A football club is about people driving each other on, and both Jake and Adam have done that brilliantly. We’ll miss them both, but we wish Jake, Melissa and the girls, and Adam, Tegan, Stan and all their families, the very best for the future. They’ll always be welcome at Mousehole, and they’ll always be a big part of what this club has become.”

Manager Jake Ash said:

It has been an incredible honour to manage this football club for the past seven seasons.

From the moment I was given the opportunity, I knew it was a special place and together we have created memories and achieved things that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I’m immensely proud of what we’ve built – not just on the pitch in terms of promotions and players progressing, but in how we’ve relentlessly tried to drive the whole club forward, creating an identity and an environment that has allowed people to thrive.

But all of that comes at a cost, and the truth is my battery is empty. I can see it and feel it, and I know I can’t be what I want to be while the energy to be wholly relentless isn’t there. For this amazing club to keep moving forward, it deserves someone who can.

This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it is one that was made some time ago, to step aside at the end of the season. The intention was to keep this in-house until then, but as is often the case in football, word begins to spread. I wanted the people who matter to hear it from me, and not from someone else.

There is still work to be done between now and the end of the season, and I remain fully focused on finishing as strongly as we can. Myself and the staff are totally and utterly committed to this group and to this football club, and our full focus is on ensuring we finish the season strongly.

The journey isn’t quite over yet.

Director of Football Adam Fletcher said:

My eight years at the Mousehole AFC have meant far more to me than just the football. 

Together we have shared some incredible moments, three promotions, Western League champions and some unforgettable trips in the Algarve that strengthened our team and made memories for life. One of my biggest highlights was watching Kev’s “Champions” video as a group before heading off for an afternoon at Julia’s on the beach to celebrate our success. 

As much as the results mean so much to us all, it’s the people that have made it so special.  The staff, players, volunteer, board members and supporters are the heart of the club and have all had a huge impact on my time here. Some of whom started as strangers and became lifelong friends.

Mousehole has given me some of the best days of my life. I have given everything I could to the club in my time, and I hope that showed in everything that the club achieved together.

Now it’s time for a new chapter for the Mousehole, and some time away from working in football for me.

No doubt I will continue to support the club in any way I can and I look forward to seeing all of you next season, cheering you on from the sidelines as a supporter.

Everyone at Mousehole AFC would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Jake and Adam for their extraordinary commitment to the club. Their leadership, professionalism andpassion have played a huge role in shaping the modern era of the Seagulls.

With several important matches still to come before the end of the season, Jake and Adam will continue to lead the team as we look to finish the campaign strongly.

Further updates regarding the club’s football structure for next season will be announced in due course

As part of ongoing discussions around the club’s long-term future, on Monday 23rd March Mousehole AFC hosted a Fan Ownership Forum at Interiora Trungle Parc. You can watch the full meeting in the video above.

The summary below captures the key themes, questions and ideas raised as we begin to explore what this could mean for the club and its community.

🔑 Why the club is exploring fan ownership

• Running a Step 4 football club is financially challenging and often unsustainable
  • Example: away travel (~£1,500 per trip) can exceed matchday income
• Current structure places responsibility on a small number of individuals (directors)
• Desire to move towards a model where:
  • The club is owned by the community
  • Decisions reflect collective priorities rather than a few voices
• Key aim: long-term sustainability
  • Ensuring the club still exists and thrives in 10, 20, 30 years
• Recognition of differing priorities among supporters:
  • Some want on-pitch progression (promotions)
  • Others prioritise youth development and community football
• Fan ownership seen as a way to balance these competing visions democratically

---

🧩 What fan ownership actually is

• Typically structured as a Community Benefit Society (CBS)
• Core principles:
  • One member, one vote (democratic control)
  • Members become co-owners of the club
  • Profits are reinvested, not distributed
• Membership:
  • Tiered cost to suit the pockets of fans across the economic spectrum
  • Provides a stake and voting rights, not free entry to matches
• Governed through elected board members, similar to:
  • A democratic organisation
  • Fans elect leadership → leadership makes decisions 

---

⚖️ Key advantages of fan ownership

• Financial sustainability
  • Clubs must “live within their means”
  • Reduces risk of financial collapse
• Transparency
  • Fans can see accounts and understand budgets
• Community engagement
  • Club becomes more embedded locally
  • Encourages wider participation and support
• Volunteer growth
  • Ownership increases willingness to contribute time and skills
• Access to funding
  • Eligibility for grants and community funding streams
• Asset protection
  • “Asset lock” prevents stadium/land being sold without approval
• Stronger identity
  • Club reflects values and priorities of its community 

---

⚠️ Challenges and limitations

• No financial gambling
  • Cannot overspend to chase promotion
• Slower decision-making
  • Democratic processes take time
• Increased governance
  • More structure, compliance, and admin
• No “sugar daddy” funding
  • Success must be built sustainably
• Requires active participation
  • Model depends on people contributing time, not just money

---

⚽ The big strategic question: What kind of club do we want to be?

• Central theme of the evening:
  • There is no single “right” model without defining the club’s purpose
• Key tension:
  • Push for higher leagues vs. financial reality
• Example given:
  • Step 3 football could require:
    • Larger crowds (~600)
    • Increased travel (London trips, overnight stays)
    • Higher wages and operational costs
• Suggestion:
  • Build a long-term strategy before chasing promotion
  • Grow sustainably (crowds, income, infrastructure) first
• Club acknowledged:
  • Currently lacks a clear strategic plan
  • Intention to develop a shared vision across:
    • Fans
    • Players
    • Volunteers
    • Community stakeholders 

---

👥 Membership & participation

• No fixed number of members required:
  • Could work with ~100 members
• Membership is:
  • About engagement and ownership, not just income
• Key benefit:
  • Unlocking skills within the community
    • Accountants, marketers, organisers, etc.
• Emphasis:
  • Everyone can contribute at different levels:
    • From strategic roles → to helping on matchdays

---

🌍 Community reach & identity

• Membership can extend beyond Mousehole
  • Includes:
    • Former locals
    • Wider Cornish diaspora
    • Supporters aligned with club values
• Importance of storytelling:
  • Club identity and community roots are key to growing support

---

🛡️ Governance & control

• Safeguards include:
  • Democratic voting
  • Membership rules (e.g. closing membership before elections)
• Prevents:
  • Small groups taking control unfairly
• Major decisions (e.g. selling club):
  • Require significant majority (e.g. 75%)

---

💬 Key themes from Q&A

• Membership fees:
  • Flexible (set by the club)
• Model does not replace existing income streams
  • Still reliant on:
    • Gate receipts
    • Sponsorship
    • Bar revenue
• Travel and spending decisions:
  • Fans would have greater influence
• Model works at all levels:
  • From Football League down to Step 6
• Success depends on:
  • Clear vision + active community involvement

---

🔮 Overall conclusion from the evening

• Fan ownership is:
  • A tool, not a solution in itself
• Its success depends on:
  • Defining what the club wants to be
  • Building a shared strategy
  • Engaging the community meaningfully
• Most important takeaway:
  • The future of Mousehole AFC should be shaped collectively, not by default

Tavistock 1 – 1 Mousehole 

For the third time in a week the Seagulls drew a match one all. For the third time in a week the Seagulls had to come from behind after a disappointing first half. 

With three ex-Tavi players in the Mousehole squad this was something of a reunion but unlike pub gatherings with old school friends it was anything but a happy night out. Tavistock are nailed to the bottom of the league table having only won three times this season. That the last of those three victories was in October and the one before that was at Trungle was not lost on anyone. 

All teams have bogey teams and for Mousehole, Tavistock fall into that slot. It doesn’t seem to matter where the two teams sit in the table, or what the occasion, it is a rare day when the Seagulls get the better of the Lambs. With neither team in good form presently it was almost impossible to predict how this game would go but the early exchanges indicated that the hex would continue to haunt Mousehole. 

From the off, the hosts looked like the team in mid-table. They were winning all the fifty-fifties, finding their men with passes and repelling any Mousehole advances with ease. They looked comfortable on the ball and very far from a team almost certain to go down. Maybe this was part of their new manager bounce, or maybe it was just because they were playing Mousehole. 

It’s been very rare recently that teams have to do something special to score against the Seagulls and so it was here on a chilly night in the Devonian heartland. Tavistock could have taken the lead sooner. In the tenth minute a diving Scott Simmons cleared one off the line with his chest. They eventually did, ten minutes before the break. A long ball from defence had Jack Calver, starting for the first time since the summer, turning in his own box. He should have whacked it clear but Jack’s too good a player to resort to that and so he tried to bring it down even under pressure from a marauding forward. 

His touch was good but the ball dribbled away into the forward’s stride as Calver slipped. Free in the box he found a colleague who only need to tap it home. And tap it home he did. He we were playing against the league’s ‘worst’ team and we were one nil down and hoping it wouldn’t get worse before the break. If it truly is darkest before dawn then surely this was pitch black and the sun was about to come up. 

With Jake Ash suffering from a cold, a result of which meant he was under doctor’s orders not to shout, he refrained from entering the changing room at half time. This saved his voice and possibly saved a few teacups. It’s unclear who took on the manager’s mantle in his absence but whoever it was, they were unable to catalyse the required transformation. There was more urgency about the Seagulls’ work but as in the previous two matches there wasn’t the guile to break down a stubborn defence. 

Mousehole huffed and puffed but for the umpteenth time this season it was not until the last ten minutes that they were able to make the breakthrough. It wasn’t pretty and it won’t win any awards but Liam Prynn’s strike in the eighty third minute brought some form of relief to the visiting fans. Hayden Turner pulled a low cross into the box, Mark Goldsworthy had a shot blocked and it ricocheted skywards. When it fell it was met by the hammer that is Liam Prynn’s right boot. It flew into the roof of the net much to the relief of all aligned with Mousehole. 

There were only three chances thereafter and they all fell to the home side. Thanks, as so often, to Ollie Chenoweth, Tavistock did not register again and the points were shared. And here comes a final sentence that we’ve seen before and we’ll see again. Whether that turns out to be a point won, or two lost will only be known after the last game of the season. 

Twenty Eight Days later is not just the title of a really good Danny Boyle zombie apocalypse film, it is also the number of days since Mousehole last played a game of football. It’s longer than the life-span of the average housefly which possibly explains why your reporter can’t even remember what that previous game was. This game though, will live long in the memory, maybe even until Mousehole next play, because for the second home game in a row it was rounded off by a goal in injury time*. On this occasion, unlike the last gasper against Bashley, this was not a winning effort but it was celebrated with no less gusto by the home fans. 

(*Younger readers will refer to this as time added on for stoppages. They probably weren’t born the last time we played!) 

There’s a certain level of muscle memory in playing football that can not be replicated in training. This meant that the home team were a little rusty and so it was no real surprise that Willand, battling relegation and having played quote recently on the 31^st January!, scored first. The breakthrough came just after the half hour. Mousehole had possession deep in their own half by the corner flag but couldn’t clear it. Willand nicked it, sent it in to the box, and a crisp finish from around the penalty spot left Ollie no chance. 

The seagulls bounced backed instantly. It was a bit of a scrappy goal, following some pinball in the area. Eventually it fell to Kaleb Kadimashi about six yards out, he took a touch and sort of bobbled it home. It’s lack of pace seemed to fool the keeper. 

Sadly, parity only lasted a couple of minutes. A free kick from Willand’s left wasn’t properly cleared and when the cross came back in it found a lone striker with the freedom of Trungle. He had time to take it down and lash it home. As has been the case a little too often this season Mousehole were then hoping to only go in one goal down, that they managed this was a blessing. 

If Mousehole came out hoping to strike early and go on to get the win they were to be disappointed. It was Willand who started the second half stronger and thus, again, it was no surprise when they extended their lead. The goal deserved to win any game. The Willand number nine, Charlie Bateson, picked the ball up on the left and jinked, like a wee Scottish winger from the 1960s, past several defenders. When he’d found a little space near the edge of the box he unleashed a thunderbolt across the face of the goal into the far corner of the net. 

One could have been forgiven for thinking that was that but suddenly the home ranks found some get up and go and laid siege to the Willand end. The pressure eventually told when Jack Symons smashed home the rebound from his own shot with thirteen minutes left. Could the comeback be on? 

As the sands of time dribbled away, and Jake Ash pleaded with the referee to add on the equivalent time to that which had been wasted by the visitors, it looked like this would be another match that got away. When the board went up with seven minutes to be added a little hope was raised amongst the loyal Trunglites but chances were few in the closing moments.  

The seven minutes came and went but the game carried on. Maybe the referee felt guilty or maybe he was working the “a minimum of…” to its full extent but whatever the reason for the further additional time it proved crucial. A corner was awarded on the right, Hayden Turner stepped up and Charlie Davis held his breath. The delivery was cleared but quickly recycled to the hit man, he sent it back in and this time it was perfect. It was met on the edge of the six-yard box by a flying Jacob Kevern and arrowed into the net. 

A draw was possibly a little more than Mousehole deserved but no one cared as they celebrated a late point as the men in white and green extended their unbeaten run to twenty nine days. 

As you may be aware, the club is currently exploring the possibility of becoming a fan-owned club as part of wider discussions around long-term sustainability, financial resilience, and keeping the club rooted firmly in its community.

To help inform that conversation, we are pleased to confirm the following:

🚨 Fan Ownership Forum
🗓 Monday 23rd March
🕡 6.30pm
📍 Trungle Parc Clubhouse

We will be joined by Darren Bernstein from the Football Supporters Association, who will be speaking to fans, players, staff and volunteers about:

• What fan ownership actually means in practice
• The potential benefits and challenges
• How a club like Mousehole AFC could make it work
• Examples of other non-league clubs who have taken this route

This is very much an information-sharing and listening event. No decisions have been taken, and this process will only move forward with proper understanding and supporter involvement.

It is important that we have a good turnout on the night, both to show the strength of interest within our community and to ensure the discussion reflects a wide range of views.

You can find out more about the FSA and their support for fans ownership here: https://thefsa.org.uk/our-work/supporter-ownership/