Steve Burt retires as one of Mousehole’s most popular and respected players, with an impressive record stretching back over ten years.

by Andrew Large and Kevin Bishop

Jake Ash has led the tribute to Steve Burt who has decided to hang up his boots after a decade-long career at the club: “I remember thinking back to my first training session at Marazion and this lad turned up with a ponytail and I just thought he was a surfer who’d come along to join in training. But I came away and sent messages to everyone saying there are some good players there but one in particular who is just unbelievable, technically brilliant with every tackle.”

Local lad ‘Burtie’ joined Mousehole at the start of 2013/14 season, and missed very few games over three consecutive seasons, being awarded the captain’s armband by player-manager Wayne Quinn.

As captain, he led Mousehole to a record-breaking and historic ‘double’ in the 2015/16 season, winning both the South West Peninsula League Division One West and the Cornwall Charity Cup.

After a serious season-ending injury near the start of the 2016/17 campaign, he joined nearby Ludgvan for a year,  returning to Mousehole for the 2018/19 season.

He was a key defensive midfield player during The Seagulls two-Step promotion years, and is noted for scoring the team’s first-ever goal at the club’s highest-ever playing level – the Western League Premier Division – at the start of the 2021/22 season (against Wellington).

Before the home match against Exmouth Town at the end of March of that season, Burtie was presented with a plaque to commemorate 250 First Team appearances for the club.

Jake added: “I don’t think you’ll find a single person in football or the world in general who has a single bad word to say about him. Everything he does, he does with real integrity and honesty. He’s been an absolute pleasure to manage.”

Having made another 36 appearances in this season’s League title-winning side, Steve Burt retires with a Mousehole career total of 288 appearances and 11 goals. His final appearance for the club saw him lift the Western League trophy after a 3-0 win against Wellington.

by Pablo Woolls-Blanco

Mousehole have completed the signing of forward Tim Nixon from Falmouth Town. The 30-year-old will begin training with Jake Ash’s team on the 29th of June and is likely to make his debut against Hayle on the 8th of July.

An exciting pre-season schedule including visits from Exeter City and Dorking Wanderers also awaits Nixon, as he returns to the club.

Tim Nixon played for Mousehole between 2015 and 2017, where he won the double in the 2015/16 season. Nixon then went on to join Bodmin Town, whom he left for Falmouth Town in 2018, where he has spent the last five years of his career up until now.
Nixon made 172 appearances for Falmouth Town, racking up 67 goals. He was also part of Falmouth’s 2021/22 treble-winning side alongside current Mousehole striker Jack Bray-Evans. Nixon comes off the back of a very impressive individual season for Falmouth Town, picking up 16 goals in 29 starts as a wide player, finishing the season as the club’s top scorer and Players’ Player of the Year.

When asked about how it feels to have re-signed for Mousehole, Nixon stated:
“I’m buzzing to be fair. It’s been a bit of a long-time coming. It’s almost like a family – they’ve always welcomed me back, so it will be good to be back for good.”

On what Mousehole fans can expect in the upcoming season:
“I’m a technical player – going forward I’m always a threat. I’m quite versatile, I can play on the left and the right – even through the middle. I’m fit as well, so I like to get around the pitch.”

On leaving Falmouth Town:
“It was definitely a hard decision. Not an easy one at all. I’ve been there for a long time – the longest time I’ve ever been at a club. I’ll always hold it in the highest regard. It was a tough decision to make – I’ve had a lot of time to think about it, but the opportunity to play at a higher level was something I couldn’t say no to. I wish Falmouth all the best for the future.”
On competing in the Southern League next season:
“It will be the highest level I’ve played at. To play at Step Four was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. It’s something I’m really excited about, and I know everyone at Mousehole is really excited about it too. It’s really great to be onboard.”

Manager Jake Ash expressed his delight at wrapping up Nixon’s signature:
“I played with Tim when he was younger and if I was to have a criticism of him then it would have been that for all his good work, he perhaps didn’t score or create enough. But the last few seasons he seems to have improved year on year at Falmouth.
We know lots about him, so it was great to get Macca (Macauley Musgrave) watch a few of his games and get a new set of eyes on him. I rewatched our games and a few other games I got access to and his work rate and ability to carry the ball and move a team up the pitch is a real asset.”

Head of Football Adam Fletcher spoke on the club’s excitement at Nixon’s arrival:
“It’s great to have Tim back at Mousehole. It’ll be great to have someone who was a part of the club before this new journey began come back and join us going into this new chapter we are about to embark on.
More importantly though, Tim is a forward player that has immense quality, scores goals, and has energy on and off the ball. A really exciting addition to an already strong forward line.”

Join us on our journey into the Southern League by sponsoring your favourite player at Mousehole AFC

Sponsorship packages are available for all first-team players at Mousehole plus our backroom staff. Sponsorships help cover the costs of player kit and away travel over the season. The package includes:

• Your name and/or company logo on player bio on club website, programme and social media posts
• Your logo next to all player interviews on the club videos
• Sponsor’s name shout-out on club PA system for lineup and scoring
• Social Media follow by player/club on Twitter
• An exclusive invitation to meet your player and have a picture taken
• End of season awards dinner invitation
• First refusal to sponsor your chosen player for the following campaign

COST: £350 per player for the season

You can purchase your player sponsorship online. Please get in touch with Ben Gibson BenGibson@mouseholeafc.co.uk or 07732 177881 for more details.

By Kevin Bishop

Being the only girl in a boys’ football team and learning her skills from David Beckham’s physio – those are the qualities our new sports rehab coach brings to her role at Mousehole AFC.

Mousehole AFC are delighted to welcome Beth Prouse to the backroom staff as our new sports rehabilitation coach, working under Gareth O’Neill our Head of Medical and Athletic Performance and alongside Matchday Medic, Ben Gibson. Talking to Beth just after a Coldplay concert in Cardiff and before she sets off for holiday followed by a month at West Ham, she told us she’s raring to go:

“With the amazing season that you’ve just had, and then trying to build on that, I want to be a part of that journey now you’re in the Southern League and hopefully do quite well next year. And you never know, maybe another title..”

Beth went to Redruth School where her PE teacher, and now Head Teacher, Craig Bonds had a huge influence on her: “My mum made me do ballet when I was younger, and I hated it. I really wanted to try football. So I tried it playing with the boys at break time and they suggested I come along to St Day. So then I kind of just excelled and through school but yeah, Craig Bonds gave us unbelievable opportunities, like playing rugby at Twickenham Stadium.”

Beth was the only girl in the boys’ team at St Day until the age of 16, something she feels has prepared her well for life at Mousehole: “To start with it was hard, but I just held my own. I did what I needed to do. And I didn’t let the boys affect me. It was until under 16 level when I was a victim of sexism and things like that. I nearly stopped playing. But up until that point, I almost felt happy after a game because if a boy was knocked off the ball because of me, they would then go home feeling a bit down, but then I’ll be like, Ha, yeah. You just lost to a girl!”

After graduating from Truro College with A levels in biology, geography and PE, Beth studied Sports Rehab at St Mary’s University in London. During her time there she had placements at Aldershot Town FC and Barnes Rugby Club, but it was during her time at Anatomie, a Sports Clinic in London that she gained some real celebrity experience. Solomon Abrahams is a physiotherapist and acupuncturist who has worked with Arsenal FC and is also currently personal physio to David Beckham. “Just a few weeks before I went there, David Beckham was actually in the studio. So that was incredible”. 

Photo: Anatomie.co.uk

Before joining Mousehole for the new season, Beth is spending a month at West Ham as part of a programme called Choices International. She’ll be working with 11-17-year-olds from Spain helping with the physio provision for the teams there. 

Beth will then join the Mousehole training set-up at Tuesday training sessions at Penwith College and every Saturday match. First-team manager Jake Ash is thrilled to have Beth on board: “We are so chuffed that Beth is going to join us next season to work with Gareth and Gibbo, to help the boys as needed. The boys know how hard it is to impress Gareth, so I was buzzing when he gave her a glowing recommendation after speaking to her!”

Beth is relishing the opportunity and is not fazed by being the only woman in an all-male team. In fact, some of the comments she received as a teenage girl in a boys’ team have made her stronger:

“I kind of just take it on the chin. I almost build from it, because then I think I can’t let it get me down. It will just motivate me to do better and achieve more. And to be honest, yeah, I’ve proven those people wrong. So then it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something within me.”

Beth feels that her experiences playing football growing up and the confidence she has gained from her time at St Marys have prepared her well for her new role and she can’t wait to get going with the team. 

“I just think they’re going to be brilliant. I’m looking forward to the banter – I can’t wait to work with them.”

Chairman and manager delighted as awards reflect true success of club this season. 

By Kevin Bishop

It was a great night for Mousehole AFC first team and staff last night at the annual awards night – the “Oscars” of the league – held at Plymouth’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. Along with awards for winning the Western League Premier in 2022/23 and another to recognise their promotion from the league, Mousehole picked up two awards for their players and staff. 

Jake Ash was named manager of the season and Hayden Turner received the Golden Boot for most goals scored in the season. The Seagulls’ winger clocked up 23 goals and 18 assists in the League. 

The dinner marked Mousehole’s last formal involvement in the Western League. Next season they will compete in the Pitching In Southern League, Step 4 of the English National League System. Mousehole Chairman Deryk Heywood was in Plymouth to accept the awards on behalf of the club: “I felt very honoured to be part of a special evening. We are leaving behind some special people we have met on our journey. The collection of awards highlighted the true success of the club’s season”.

Mousehole gained promotion after just two seasons in the Western League, securing the championship on the final day of the season with a 3-0 win over Wellington at Trungle Parc. The battle for promotion has been filmed for the latest episode of the club’s YouTube series Way Out West. 

First team manager Jake Ash emphasized that the backroom work at the club is very much a team effort: “I’m really honoured to win the award and although it’s got my name on it it should have Andy, Jack, Ben, Gareth, Adam, Kieran and Jon’s name on there too. We are a team and the success this year is as much down to them as it is me and the team. The staff we have here are incredible, I’m so lucky to work with them and for that hard work I’m really pleased that we’ve been recognised with this award.”

Hayden Turner is delighted with his form over the promotion campaign: “It’s tough to put into words how happy I was with this season, both from a personal and team perspective. I felt last season I didn’t hit the levels I wanted to in terms of goals and assists. So to be able to play a part in a large number of the goals we scored this year, both scoring and assisting, makes me really happy. Thankfully, we got the reward the club deserved, and that makes me even more excited for next season and the challenges the league above will bring.”

Preparations for Mousehole’s first season at Step 4 have already begun with an intensive running programme already underway. The Seagulls start their pre-season friendlies away at Hayle on July 8^th, followed by home fixtures against Exeter City, Dorking Wanderers and Upton Park FC over the following ten days. You can find full details and purchase tickets here. 

MOUSEHOLE’S NEW ANALYST HAS SUCCESS IN HIS SIGHTS

by Kevin Bishop

Mousehole AFC are thrilled to announce that Macauley Musgrave (twitter.com/maccacoaching) is joining our backroom staff as Lead Analyst for the 2023/24 season. Macauley, known as Macca, will provide expert video analysis of Mousehole’s matches this coming season as they begin their first Pitching In Southern League campaign following promotion from the Toolstation Western League.

Originally from Cumbria, Macauley has been coaching for 5 years and progressed from working in junior grassroots at Penrith Juniors to professional football over that short period. He has had spells at Workington AFC,  Lithuanian 2nd Division club FK Babrungas Plunge as assistant manager & analyst, Carlisle United as a YDP coach and at step 4 club Consett AFC.

Asked why he chose Mousehole, Macauley said: “I was completely sold. The project and the journey Mousehole want to go on are very much aligned with the journey I want to go on. I want to work at a club where everyone is striving for success and everyone is looking for the chance to develop.”

He is looking to push his career forward so put out a post on social media looking for a new position. Mousehole Manager Jake Ash has followed his progress online and believes he has a real future in the game. “Just speaking to him you can see how hungry he is to learn and develop. I feel he is such a brilliant personality and fit for what we try to do. I feel he can see in us a club that mirrors his ambition.”

Having worked at Step 4 before, Macauley feels he will bring a wealth of experience to the club. “There are a lot of ideas that me and the gaffer are going to discuss. We almost want to look at it as a coach-analyst hybrid role. In my opinion, all coaches should be able to analyze and all analysts should be able to coach.”

Jake describes his involvement with the club as being “as big as signing a new player”, adding that “he’ll get more out of the team but also help individuals develop and that’s a really important part of what we do”. He believes that, although Macca comes on board as an analyst, he is as big a part of the coaching team as anyone: “He’ll see things that perhaps we’ll miss in the energy and the emotion we have on the touchline. Being removed from that is like having another pair of eyes on things and a fresh view on how the team and players have performed. To be able to then relay that via video will be so beneficial, not only for the players but the coaching staff too.”

Macca added: “People might find it a strange appointment to get someone in from so far away who’s going to have so much input into the club. But the way I work – I don’t care if it’s Step 6,5,4 or Premier League. I prepare the same material for the coaching staff and players. I will genuinely leave no stone unturned to give everything I can to this club.”

As we welcome Macauley to Mousehole, the club would like to extend a huge vote of thanks to Kieran Stephens who has been providing excellent analysis for the club over the last few seasons. We wish him all success as he finishes his degree at John Moores University and an internship at Ipswich Town. Jake Ash said: “Kieran has been fantastic and contributed so much to what we do and how we work and I can’t thank him enough. We’d not have achieved the success we have without his valuable contribution.”

by Kevin Bishop

As Mousehole AFC prepare for their first season in the Pitching In Southern League, the Seagulls will be taking on a football club from East London with a remarkable history. Following on from matches against Exeter City (July 11th) and Dorking Wanderers (July 15th), Mousehole will welcome Upton Park FC to Trungle Parc on July 18th for a 19.45 kickoff.

Upton Park is an area of West Ham and played in West Ham Park, which is located next to West Ham’s former home, the Boleyn Ground in East London. They have been recently re-formed with the name and history of the original Upton Park FC who played in the very early days of football competition in England.

The original team were one of four teams who played in the first-ever FA Cup fixtures, losing3-0 to Clapham Rovers on 11th November 1871. In 1900, Upton Park were chosen to represent Great Britain in the inaugural Olympic soccer competition which took place as part of the Olympic Games in Paris. They won the gold medal beating a representative French team in the final 4-0.

Recently, Upton Park FC faced the Royal Engineers in the last-ever game at the Boleyn Ground, before the Hammers moved to the London Stadium.

The club’s manager Billy Jenkins has a long association with West Ham. His father and grandfather were both physios at the club. His father worked at the club from 1966 to 1990, during which time he treated the England World Cup captain Bobby Moore.

As a newly reformed club, Upton Park are not in any league system but look to keep the name of the original club alive. They aim to give good experiences for young players from the area to play alongside good amateur players – a bit of a Corinthian-Casuals of East London & Essex. Longer term they hope to build the team into one that can compete in a league system and eventually find a ground of their own to keep the Upton Park name alive.

The fixture came about as a result of a holiday Jon Hunter, who helps run the club, made to Mousehole shortly after lockdown. Hunter struck up a conversation with Mousehole groundsman (and West Ham fan) Billy Jacka while staying at the campsite that is part of the set-up at Trungle Parc. He thought at the time that it would be a great place to bring his team for a friendly and three years later that is about to happen.

Our first team, set to compete in the prestigious Southern League Division 1 next season, is in need of your expertise and support during both training sessions and match days.

We are on the hunt for a dedicated person who can join our team and provide crucial assistance in ensuring the well-being and optimal performance of our footballers. As a match-day physio/sports therapist, you will play a vital role in our journey!

If you are passionate about sports therapy and have the necessary qualifications, we want to hear from you!

To find out more about this exciting role, reach out to Adam Fletcher, our Head of Football, at 07969 626643 or via email adampaulfletcher@googlemail.com

Mousehole 3-0 Wellington

Toolstation Western League, Premier Division

Saturday 22^nd April 2023

At Trungle Parc

Scorers:  Andy Elcock 15’, Callam Mconie 29’ , Hayden Turner 81’

SUMMARY

In front of a massive crowd four times higher than the average, The Seagulls secured the necessary three points in the last game of the season to guarantee them top spot in the League and automatic promotion to the Southern League at Step 4 of the non-league pyramid – only the second Cornwall team ever to reach that level and a wonderful way to mark the first 100 years since the club was formed.

KEY POINTS

This is it!  By 5pm, either Mousehole or Saltash United will have become Champions.  For Mousehole, it’s deceptively simple: a win is needed, regardless of what Saltash do.  But if Mousehole only draw and Saltash win at home against Shepton Mallet by three clear goals or more, they will claim the title on goal difference.  Whoever comes runner-up, they still have a chance of promotion through a play-off tie next Saturday.

A big crowd is in place despite the wet weather – in expectation of something special happening this afternoon.

15’:  Goal for Mousehole.  A left-sided cross is cleared from the penalty area by the visiting defence where ANDY ELCOCK unleashes a low first-time drive from 30 yards that takes a slight deflection as it zips along the wet surface inside the far post.  Huge celebrations on the pitch as well as off it, as news comes through that Saltash are already three goals in the lead.

19’:  So close to a second goal!  Callam Mconie puts Josh Otto through on the right and Hayden Turner hits the low cross against the post

29’:  Goal for Mousehole.  Hayden Turner finds CALLAM MCONIE in space to the right of the penalty area and he brings the ball inside on to his left foot and drives an unstoppable dipping shot into the far top corner.  A goal worthy of this showpiece occasion.

At Half-time (45+3’) it’s Mousehole 2-0 Wellington.  Much to be satisfied with, but another goal will be vital to calm the nerves at the prospect of a Wellington come-back.

The second half

The rain has stopped and the sun is out!

62’:  Hayden Turner’s cross is volleyed goal-wards by Callam Mconie but somehow blocked by a defender for a corner

69”:  Wellington are having a good spell.  Kyle Fraser comes to Mousehole’s rescue by scooping a close-range shot off the line.

71’:  Mousehole benefit from the Referee’s decision to play on, as Mark Goldsworthy bumps into an opponent inside the home penalty area.  Word has it that Saltash are winning 4-0 – they’ve done their bit, so can Mousehole get it over the line?

81’:  Goal for Mousehole.  Yes, they can!  Substitute Reece Thomson’s low cross-shot is pushed out by the ‘keeper and HAYDEN TURNER is first to the loose ball to drive into the net from 15 yards.  The players’ celebration includes keeper Ollie Chenoweth who’s raced 100 yards to slide in.  Mousehole 3-0 Wellington – that should be enough?

83’:  Another substitute, Josh Bissett clatters the crossbar with an angled shot (or maybe a cross)

90+3’:  That’s the final whistle – Mousehole 3-0 Wellington.  MOUSEHOLE ARE CHAMPIONS!

It’s a big history-making moment as John Pool and George McCaffery of the Western League (Chairman and Secretary) present the medals and the magnificent 120-year old Champions’ Trophy amid scenes of jubilation, green flares, flags, congratulations and thanks all round.

The work to prepare for life in the Southern League starts immediately, with significant ground improvements at Trungle Parc required by the end of March.  

The teams Mousehole will face next season, and the travel distances and costs involved, will not be known for a while, after the positioning of clubs in the non-league pyramid – through promotion, relegation, lateral movement and other factors – has been decided by the FA.

For Saltash United, they will have to wait a few days before knowing who they will face in the play-off, with everyone at Mousehole hoping they can make it a double Cornish promotion.

MOUSEHOLE LINE-UP v Wellington (with used substitutes):

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Adel Gafaiti, Max Hill, Kyle Fraser, Andy Elcock (Steve Burt, Jack Calver, Tallan Mitchell (Reece Thomson 70’), Callam Mconie (Jack Bray-Evans 64’), Mark Goldsworthy (Josh Bissett 80’), Hayden Turner (Paulo Sousa 83’)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Josh Eyre (Referee) with Darren Dayus and Nigel d’Arcy (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE: 648

📸 Photo credit and thanks to https://www.flickr.com/photos/198162317@N05/