With all of Helston Athletic Football Club's weekend fixtures falling victim to Storm Bert, the Helston Packet took the opportunity to catch up with Blues chairman Paul Hendy to find out more about how the club is coping with life in the Southern League Division 1 South - having been promoted as champions of the Western League Premier Division at the end of last season. 

“The success and celebrations of last season’s promotion didn’t really have time to sink in before the club had to turn its attention to the needs of National League Step 4 football,” explained Hendy.

"Expectations were that all of last season’s players would want to test themselves at a higher level, however in reality that wasn’t the case with four of the squad deciding to depart for various reasons.

"First Team manager Matt Cusack was quick to react and left no stone unturned in securing some great new signings whilst putting trust in those that play for the club’s talented development squad."

Off the field the club are also being kept busy. Not only is it having to adapt to the many changes in hosting fixtures, along with funding the additional expense of away day travel, but there is also the added challenge of further developing the football club’s facilities if it is to meet The FA’s Ground Accreditation criteria of Step 4 football.

In summary, the club is required to provide further covered stands for match day spectators, additional toilets, entrance turnstiles, infill the pitch barrier and increase the overall ground capacity to a minimum of one thousand three hundred.

The total cost of the improvements is £158,000, with all works having to be completed by March 31 next year. The club has made good progress towards obtaining the necessary funding, having already secured grants from The Premier League Stadium Fund, Helston Town Council, Helston Rotary and Helston Cober Valley Rotary.

Additional funding applications are pending a decision, and Hendy said the club thanked the generosity of all the club sponsors for their support.

“Already this season we have welcomed many opposition supporters, many of whom are staying overnight and taking the opportunity to visit the town centre and surrounding area, all giving great feedback," he said. 

Local businesses also have the opportunity to support the club, while getting some extra promotion at the same time. 

"In support of helping promote local businesses and attractions to our visitors, the club is about to launch an advertising offer that will allow businesses the opportunity to advertise themselves whilst also support the club at minimal cost. With the requirement to infill the pitch barrier we are offering pitch-side advertising boards at just £50 each," said Hendy.

"The offer includes advertising board production, positioning and display, not only for the remainder of the 24/25 season but also that of 25/26 and 26/27. At the end of the 2027 season there will be an opportunity to extend the board display for a further term at very reasonable rates."

Anybody interested in taking up this offer should e-mail - paul.m.hendy@btinternet.com for further information.

Having played 15 Southern League matches to date The Blues are third in the table, 11 points behind league leaders Yate Town with a game in hand.

Next up for Helston is a home match verses Hampshire based Bashley this forthcoming Saturday, kick-off is at 3pm. There is no time to rest after Saturday's match, with the team travelling to Melksham in Wiltshire on Monday, December 2, kick off 7.45pm. 

Hendy wrapped things up by adding: “Everyone at the club is thoroughly enjoying the challenges of the Southern League with the added excitement of the remainder of the season and stadium facility improvements still to come."  

Upcoming Fixtures:

Pitching In Southern League Div One South

Saturday, November 30 - Helston AFC vs Bashley FC – Kellaway Park – Kick Off 3pm

Monday, November 2 - Melksham Town vs Helston AFC- Away – Kick Off 7.45pm

Regan Arable Soth West Regional Womens Football League

Sunday, December 1 – Honiton Town Women vs Helston Athletic Women – Away - Kick Off 2pm

Kernow Stone St Piran League Premier Division (West)

Saturday, November 30 – Pendeen Rovers vs Helston AFC Development – Away – Kick Off 2.30pm

Keep up to date on X (Twitter) @Helston Athletic FC or on Facebook search Helston Athletic Football Club. Watch action edited highlights on YouTube – search ’Piran Films’.