Truro City face fierce local rivals Falmouth Town at Bickland Park this evening – 7.45pm.

The annual pre-season curtain raiser between the two sides looked like it would not take place owing to a lack of available dates. Also, with the final touches continuing apace at the Tinners’ brand new stadium, the game had to take place at Town’s home venue.

But after City’s pre-season game away to Tavistock was cancelled owing to a waterlogged pitch on July 20, the club moved quickly to secure another game, with Falmouth agreeing to play John Askey’s side.

Our Opponents

Falmouth will start the 2024-25 season at Step Four of the National League System, alongside Cornish rivals Mousehole and fellow promoted side Helston Athletic.

Southern League Division One South is the highest level Falmouth have ever played at and continues a steady accent through the divisions with a second promotion in just three seasons.

Andy Westgarth’s side finished second in the Western League Premier Division last term, behind eventual champions Helston, meaning they had to settle for a place in the end of season play-offs.

Barnstaple Town were defeated 3-1 at the semi-final stage, setting up a final showdown with Clevedon Town. Westgarth’s side prevailed 2-0 to join Helston in winning promotion.

Along with their league triumph, Falmouth are also reigning Cornwall Senior Cup winners after a dramatic 2-1 win over AFC St Austell at Wendron United’s Underlane, back in May.

Aubrey Wilkes Trophy

The Aubrey Wilkes Trophy is an annual match between Truro and Falmouth, which was first played in 1989.

The match is in memory of Cornish football fan Aubrey Wilkes, who liked to watch two of Cornish football’s heavyweight sides face off against each other. After his passing, Aubrey’s friend Clive Chinn purchased the trophy which City currently hold, in Tenerife.

Due to the trophy’s size, it had to be dismantled and placed in a number of suitcases before it landed on these shores.

City lost the first ever cup meeting between the two sides after suffering a 4-1 reverse. But revenge was gained 12 months later when goals from Mark Rapsey and Steve Massey secured a 2-1 win. Truro, at the time, were managed by the late Morrish Truscott, a luminary figure not just at City, but within Cornish football as a whole.

The game was played every season until 2001 when it stopped but after a break of eight years, was thankfully reintroduced in 2009.

Since then, the game has been played in every pre-season apart from 2014-15.

City have only lost twice in that period (2011-12 and 2018-19) and have won every final since suffering a 2-1 defeat in 2018, with the Tinners’ goal coming via a penalty from current captain Connor Riley-Lowe.

Last year, Truro recorded the biggest ever Aubrey Wilkes Trophy scoreline with a 7-0 win. Ryan Brett led the way with a fine hat-trick as Billy Palfrey, Tyler Harvey and Teddy Horton were also on target.

Admission

Falmouth Town have advised that admission prices are as follows:

• Adults £10
• Concessions £5
• Under-16s £5
• Under-12s Free

Directions & Parking

The postcode of Bickland Park, is: TR11 4PB

There is limited parking at Bickland Park, with supporters asked to park courteously towards local residents if using surrounding streets to park.

Follow the Match

Our official X (formerly Twitter) handle will have all the build-up, in-game action and post-match reaction.

Follow Truro City on X: Click Here