Truro City Football Club won the South Western League title for the first time in their history and it was largely helped by Basil Steer’s 43 league goals in just 28 league games! But the man who clinched a point for Truro and in doing so the league championship, by scoring the equalising goal at Falmouth was centre-half Harold Jefferies.
South Western League
1 – Bugle (H) L 1-2 (Steer 18) Sat 27 Aug
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
Bugle gained a shock victory over Truro City. It was a well-deserved victory, however, with their attack taking advantage of a dithering City defence in the second period. Truro, although they had only one new-comer in their side, played very poor football, more consistent with end of the season play. They were unlucky, however, in that inside-left Les Dodd, their only forward to play with any enthusiasm, thrice hit the ball against the woodwork. There was plenty of excitement in the first half, with Truro twice hitting the upright before they took the lead. Truro’s keenness to shoot gave them a slight advantage, but Bugle’s defence was sound. Les Dodd was unlucky when his drive beat goalkeeper Arthur Hodge, but hit the post. Dodd again hit the upright after Hodge had failed to hold his first drive. Basil Steer put Truro ahead after 18 minutes with a neat header, but Bugle quickly replied, right-winger Brian Chapman beating Mel Triggs with a shot which went in off the post. Bugle’s second half goal came from inside-left Dan Russell. Cornish Guardian
P-1 W-0 D-0 L-1 F-1 A-2 PTS-0 POS-12th
2 – Tavistock (H) W 5-1 (Joyce ??, ??, Steer ??, ??, Dodd ??) Sat 3 Sep
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
Tavistock scored their first league goal of the season at Truro, on Saturday. But they could not hold the City men, who are steadily improving after a poor start to the season. Truro won 5-1. Truro City began against Tavistock as they had against Bugle the previous week – in command but not making use of their decided midfield advantage. It took a goal by centre-forward Johnny Jordan – Tavistock’s first of the season – to put some life into the City side. Once they were in arrears the Truro players settled down to play attacking football. They quickly equalised through inside-forward Les Joyce, and from then on Tavistock goalkeeper Derek Vosper was kept busy. He made many first-class saves but could not keep the score down. Centre-forward Basil Steer added the first of four second-half goals, after Vosper had failed to hold a drive. Later he beat two defenders to score a second. The best goal of the match was a 35-yard drive by Joyce, and inside-left Les Dodd was rewarded for his persistence after Slade had nearly scored. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
P-2 W-1 D-0 L-1 F-6 A-3 PTS-2 POS-12th
3 – Plymouth Argyle ‘A’ (A) D 2-2 (Steer ?? pen, ??) Mon 5 Sep
Truro displayed plenty of enthusiasm and some good football to earn their draw at Home Park on Monday. They had the Argyle defence at full stretch for long periods, and with a little more luck and accuracy would have gained a comfortable victory. Argyle played constructive football, but they only had two scoring chances – and they accepted both. Their first goal came after 13 minutes, when winger Kearns put through a long ball which goalkeeper Mel Triggs did not collect cleanly and inside-left Fred Hurrell scored a gift goal. Five minutes later good work by centre-forward Alec Govan gave Kearns a well-taken goal. Truro had their first-half chances but wasted them. Centre-forward Basil Steer missed an open goal and Colin Slade lobbed the ball outside with only goalkeeper John Leiper to beat. Winger Reg Mattock was unlucky when his kick hit the cross-bar. The City had the better of the second half. Steer reduced the arrears when he beat Leiper from the penalty spot and then the goalkeeper only parried a fierce drive which trickled outside after hitting the foot of the post. Then Steer collected a long goal-kick from Triggs, beat the centre-half, and drove the ball past Leiper. Argyle’s attack was confined to breakaways, and Triggs made two excellent saves. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
P-3 W-1 D-1 L-1 F-8 A-5 PTS-3 POS-8th
4 – Plymouth Argyle ‘A’ (H) W 3-0 (Steer 60, 89, Joyce ??) Sat 17 Sep
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Barry Short, Harold Jefferies, Dave Davies, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Barry Matthews, Reg Mattock
Truro City played a brand of soccer which deserved much better support than it received on Saturday. They outplayed South Western League leaders Plymouth Argyle to win 3-0. Truro have now taken three points from Argyle – a feat which few other teams will emulate if Argyle continue to produce this class of soccer – and surely City supporters cannot wish for much more. Star of the City attack was their oft-maligned centre-forward Basil Steer. He scored two well-taken goals to take his personal tally to 10 for six games, and on this form could well hold his title of the league’s leading scorer. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
P-4 W-2 D-1 L-1 F-11 A-5 PTS-5 POS-8th
5 – Camelford (A) W 4-3 (Steer 10, ??, 47, Joyce 50) Sat 24 Sep
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Barry Short, Harold Jefferies, Dave Davies, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Barry Matthews, Reg Mattock
After having some narrow escapes in the opening stages, Camelford seemed to be dogged with ill-luck. They lost their left-back through injury just before the interval. Truro had more of the play at the start, and after ten minutes Steer opened Truro’s score. A good shot by Slade hit the bar. Rivers broke up many promising Truro attacks. Then, after twenty-five minutes came four goals in ten minutes. Hambly equalised with a well-placed shot and Burnett gave Camelford the lead. Steer cleverly deflected a shot by Davies past Blamey to equalise, but later Roberts regained the lead from a penalty. Camelford lost their left-back Richards ten minutes before the interval. He returned on the wing in the second half but went off for good ten minutes from time. Two minutes after the interval Steer secured his hat-trick to equalise and three minutes later Joyce scored the winning goal for Truro following a disputed free kick. Players and spectators expected the free kick to be awarded to Camelford for hand ball. Camelford went all out for the equaliser, but could not break Truro’s strong defence again. Cornish Guardian
P-5 W-3 D-1 L-1 F-15 A-8 PTS-7 POS-7th
6 – St Blazey (H) W 4-0 (Joyce 10, 44, Steer ??, Mattock ??) Sat 1 Oct
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Barry Short, Dave Davies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
P-6 W-4 D-1 L-1 F-19 A-8 PTS-9 POS-4th
7 – Helston (H) D 1-1 (Slade 67) Sat 15 Oct
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Barry Short, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
P-7 W-4 D-2 L-1 F-20 A-9 PTS-10 POS-5th
8 – Bodmin (A) D 2-2 (Dodd 5, Slade ??) Sat 22 Oct
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Barry Short, Harold Jefferies, Dave Davies, Colin Slade, Les Dodd, Basil Steer, Barry Matthews, Reg Mattock
P-8 W-4 D-3 L-1 F-22 A-11 PTS-11 POS-6th
9 – Falmouth Town (H) W 2-1 (Joyce x2) Sat 29 Oct
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
Truro City’s encounter with old rivals Falmouth produced some thrilling football of a high standard. No quarter was given or asked, and from the start both goals underwent a barrage of shots. Falmouth, playing down the slope, started in impressive form, with Geoff Peach the master-mind in attack and Roy Mallett the general in defence. Falmouth, however, were not as strong as Truro at wing-half or on the wings, and gradually the home team gained the initiative. Falmouth took the lead after 18 minutes, benefitting from an error by their former full-back Norman Morrison. His poor clearance went to Peach, then he got in the way of the forward’s drive and deflected the ball past goalkeeper Mel Triggs. Truro would have scored earlier but for some weak finishing and some good goalkeeping by Ron Berry. Then Les Joyce, whose return at inside-right considerably strengthened the home attack, scored from a very narrow angle. The City centre-forward, Basil Steer, was injured and was virtually a passenger on the wing for the second half, but Truro never lost their grip on the game, Joyce scored another fine goal, and an offside decision robbed him of his hat-trick. Falmouth kept fighting and in the last minute nearly equalised, a City defender heading off the line. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser
10 – Camelford (H) W 7-0 (Steer 26, ??, ??, Joyce 27, Dodd 44, ??, ??,) Sat 5 Nov
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
Assist – Slade 27
Although Truro City were on the attack from the start against Camelford they seemed to have no appetite for goals in the early stages. Several easy chances were missed by the over-anxious forwards. Once they had taken the lead, however – two goals came in the 26th minute – the tension was gone and there was more purpose in their play. Camelford fought gamely, but the odds were stacked against them. Their leader Dickie Burnett, did miss a glorious chance in the opening minutes and they were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty, but generally their attacking moves were few and far between. City centre-forward Basil Steer opened the scoring and from the restart Les Joyce drove home a centre from winger Colin Slade. Inside-left Les Dodd added a third before the interval. In the second half the tiring Camelford defence conceded four goals. Steer and Dodd scored two each. Pick of the Camelford defence were right-back Bernie Richards, their 17 year-old reserve goalkeeper, John Blarney, and stalwart centre-half and captain Roy Richards. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
P-10 W-6 D-3 L-1 F-31 A-12 PTS-15 POS-4th
11 – Newquay (A) W 4-1 (Mattock ??, Dodd ??, Steer ??, ??) Sat 12 Nov
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
12 – Bodmin (H) W 12-2 (Steer 5, 6, ??, ??, ??, Slade ??, ??, Dodd 20, ??, ??, Joyce ??, Davies ??) Sat 19 Nov
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Ken Brenton, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Johnny Kendall, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
Truro City smashed 12 goals into the Bodmin net on Saturday, to set a new club record for the South Western League. Their previous best was the 10-3 victory gained at Bugle last season. The goals came so regularly and so easily that midway through the second half spectators had a new league record as their target. Only two more goals were needed to beat the record 13 set up Penzance, but Truro were foiled by the excellent work of Harold Shattock in the Bodmin goal. Yes, although Shattock was beaten 12 times, he was the best man in the Bodmin side, and he saved Bodmin from an even more humiliating defeat. Truro are now well and truly on the crest of a wave of success. In their last three league outings they have scored 23 goals while conceding only three. Unbeaten since they visited Newton Abbot in early October, they are playing a standard of soccer well above their normal level and good enough to beat most Cornish sides. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
P-12 W-8 D-3 L-1 F-47 A-15 PTS-19 POS-3rd
13 – Bugle (A) W 2-1 (Wark OG 28, Davies ??) Sat 10 Dec
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
Truro City were re-named the Cornish “Real Madrid” on Saturday – not because their standard of soccer reached the heights of the Continental team, but rather because Truro turned out in an all-white strip. The City players and officials arrived at Bugle before it was realised that all their kit had been left in Truro. A hasty telephone call was made, but although the kit was rushed to Bugle, it arrived too late. Bugle loaned their opponents their second strip, and Norman Morrison “borrowed” one official’s white shirt, and the game started 20 minutes late. Despite the strange appearance of the City players, there was no mistaking their superior brand of football. They outplayed Bugle rather more comfortably than the 2-1 score-line suggests, and thus avenged the 2-1 defeat they sustained when Bugle visited Treyew Road for their first league match of the season. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
P-13 W-9 D-3 L-1 F-49 A-16 PTS-21 POS-2nd
14 – St Austell (A) L 1-2 (Steer 55 pen) Tue 26 Dec
15 – Penzance (H) W 5-1 (Steer x2, Dodd, Joyce, Slade) Sat 14 Jan
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
Basil Steer, Truro City’s centre-forward, brought his tally of goals so far this season to 80 when he scored twice in the City’s 5-1 win over Penzance. Steer has scored 40 goals in the S.W. League and 40 in a Devon mid-week competition. Truro dominated the second half and only magnificent goalkeeping by Trembath kept their scoring down to four goals in this period. Cornish Guardian
P-15 W-10 D-3 L-2 F-56 A-19 PTS-23 POS-4th
16 – Launceston (A) W 4-0 (Joyce, Steer x3) Sat 28 Jan
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
P-16 W-11 D-3 L-2 F-59 A-19 PTS-25 POS-4th
17 – Newquay (H) D 3-3 (Steer ??, 44, 87) Sat 11 Feb
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Dodd, Basil Steer, Les Joyce, Reg Mattock
Newquay held the lead until the 87th minute and then Truro City’s centre-forward, Basil Steer, scored to complete his hat-trick and save a point which the City could ill-afford to lose. Truro should have won the game but instead they went very near to defeat. Newquay, after conceding an early goal, went into a 3-1 lead. Their third goal was a gift. Truro were awarded a free kick on the edge of their penalty area. Centre-half Jefferies attempted to back-heel the ball into the hands of goalkeeper Triggs, but Newquay’s leader Hawkey slipped in and netted. After Steer had given the City the lead, Newquay went ahead through Hawkey (2) and winger Tony Pollard. Steer reduced the arrears just before the interval. Newquay’s goal bore a charmed life in the second half. Three shots hit an upright and Harrison made some spectacular saves. Truro did everything but score until three minutes from time when Steer scored his 51st goal of the season for Truro. Cornish Guardian
18 – St Blazey (A) W 4-1 (Steer x2, Dodd, Mattock) Sat 18 Feb
Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
The bogey of Blaize Park which has haunted Truro City for at least seven years was finally smashed on Saturday. The City crushed their rivals 4-1 – their finest victory of the season – to establish themselves as firm favourites for the South Western League title. Truro certainly displayed championship form in winning Saturday’s battle. They fought back from a goal deficit to complete an 8-1 double and to crack St Blazey’s unbeaten-at-home this season record. Truro are now in third place, four points behind leaders Plymouth Argyle with five games in hand. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
P-18 W-12 D-4 L-2 F-66 A-23 PTS-28 POS-3rd
19 – Tavistock (A) W 7-0 (Mattock x3, Dodd x2, Tyack, Thomas) Sat 18 Mar
Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Barry Short, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Johnny Kendall, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Ken Tyack, Reg Mattock, Les Dodd, Dave Thomas
It is not difficult to understand why Tavistock have lost support and are next to the bottom of the South Western League with only seven points out of a possible 48. Their display against Truro City at Langsford Park, on Saturday, was lacking in skill and entertainment value. Although without three key players, the City won 7-0 – and a little more luck would easily have carried their score into double figures. As a spectacle this match had little to offer the many Truro supporters who made the 56-mile journey to Tavistock. The home team adopted spoiling off-side tactics throughout, and all the skilful soccer was provided by their opponents. Victory brought Truro to within four points of leaders Bugle with no fewer than six games in hand. Plymouth Argyle, their nearest rivals, are two points ahead, having played four games more. Truro’s sights are now firmly set on the league and cup double. Much of the interest for City supporters lay in the performances of the reserve players – a vital point as Truro are likely to lose Harold Jefferies, Les Joyce and Basil Steer again when Cornwall meet Huntingdonshire in the Southern Counties Amateur Championship semi-final possibly on April 8 when Truro are due to visit Falmouth. Barry Short has proved his worth over many seasons and the ineffectiveness of the Tavistock attack gave him a leisurely game at right-back. He blotted out left-winger Crocker. Ken Tyack, too has shown his ability in three previous games this season and he was an able understudy for Joyce at inside-right. In the first half Tyack used his speed to beat the goalkeeper for possession and score. The spotlight however was on 17-year-old Dave Thomas. In his first senior game Thomas showed great promise on the left-wing, distributing the ball wisely and accurately. His ball control was good and with a little more experience he will have no difficulty in commanding a regular place in any SW League side. He crowned his display by scoring a fine goal towards the end. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
20 – Wadebridge (H) W 4-2 (Dodd 20, ??, Steer ??, ??) Sat 25 Mar
Reduced to 10 men after the interval, Truro City were still too good for Wadebridge and beat them 4-2 to move into third place in the league table. Truro need only 11 points from eight games to clinch the championship. Cornish Guardian
Truro City’s fine victory over Wadebridge on Saturday was marred only by a bad injury to left-winger Reg Mattock. He was involved in a collision with goalkeeper Johnny Gray after 22 minutes play and he was unable to take any further part in the game. This is the first time Truro have been hit by injury this season – and it could not have happened at a worse time. Mattock will certainly miss Good Friday’s home game against St Austell and he is doubtful for the Easter Monday Cornwall Senior Cup final against Penzance. Dave Thomas takes over on the left-wing on Friday, the remainder of the team being unchanged. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
Position – 3rd
21 – St Austell (H) L 1-3 (Joyce 4) Fri 31 Mar
St Austell have done it again. On Boxing Day they brought off a great surprise by beating Truro City at Poltair and on Good Friday, at Treyew Road, they caused an even bigger sensation by winning 3-1. St Austell became the first team to complete the double over Truro – and this win was fully deserved. It was even more incredible as St Austell had only won one game since beating Truro the first time and that was at Tavistock last week! Truro supporters claim that their team had an off-day. To some extent that was true but they also played as well as they were allowed to. St Austell’s quick tackling and the use of the long ball which often caught a casual defence “napping” contributed to this great win. The man who pegged back Truro’s championship hopes, was former Truro player Graham Neal. He got the two goals which put St Austell ahead, after Truro had taken a shock four-minute lead through Joyce. Neal equalised in the 36th minute after a great shot by Boyce had hit the cross bar. In the 14th minute of the second half Neal scored a very neat goal and two minutes later Mike Rowden made it 3-1. Truro’s Basil Steer twice hit the woodwork, and St Austell were denied a penalty when Jefferies apparently handled on the blind side of the referee. Cornish Guardian
P-21 W-14 D-4 L-3 F-78 A-28 PTS-32 POS-3rd
22 – Newton Abbot Spurs (A) W 7-0 (Davies, Slade 17, ??, ??, Joyce 19, Dodd 31, Steer 50) Sat 15 Apr
Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Dave Thomas
Newton Abbot were expected to provide tough opposition having already beaten Truro 3-0 in a cup match in October and having lost only three home South-Western League matches this season – all by two goals to nil. In the event, however, the City found them a poor side and had no difficulty in scoring seven goals without reply. This victory boosted Truro’s goal average and carried them two points nearer to the South Western League championship. Just as important, it boosted the morale of the City lads, who showed a welcome return to the pre-Easter form. In the first half in particular they were full of confidence and determination, and it was only the annoying but successful off-side tactics adopted by the home side which kept the score below double figures. As a spectacle the match was spoiled by a first-half injury to Newton Abbot’s 16-year-old goalkeeper Roger Sleeman. He received a knock on the head in the 29th minute, was off the field for the remainder of the half and only resumed on the right wing after the interval. This naturally disjointed the Spurs, and they were forced to adopt spoiling defensive tactics. It made little difference to the result, however, for Truro were already three goals in the lead when Sleeman went off. The City made a late change for this game, Reg Mattock was doubtful about his leg injury and he stood down for young Dave Thomas to take over on the left-wing. Thomas gave a good display, showing greater confidence and accuracy. Twice he demonstrated his considerable ball control by jinxing his way right through the Spurs defence. Derek Vosper had his easiest game yet for Truro, having only one real drive to save – and even that, from centre-forward Ray Southcombe, was little more than half-strength. The full-backs, too, were seldom troubled by the Newton Abbot wingers. Southcombe was the pick of the home attack, but he never mastered centre-half Harold Jefferies, who had his best game for some weeks. Jefferies did not put a foot wrong and his sound display bred confidence in his team-mates. Dave Davis was still not at his best, nevertheless he and Barry Matthews dominated the midfield play. There was a better spirit, too, among the forwards. Les Joyce was prominent, scoring one goal and making two others, while Colin Slade netted three for the second time this season. Slade should have had five, but two close-range full-bloodied drives bounced clear off the goalkeeper’s feet. Les Dodd and Basil Steer made an effective spearhead in attack and each scored, but too often they were caught offside. Truro were on the attack from the start, and goalkeeper Sleeman was quickly in action, tipping a drive from Joyce over the bar. Joyce took the resulting corner kick and Davis jumped high and headed the ball home. Sleeman got his hand to the ball but was unable to save. The Spurs staged a short fight-back, and then, after 17 minutes, the City went further ahead. Joyce took a second corner kick and after a goalmouth melee Slade netted. Ninety seconds later came another goal – the best of the match. Thomas passed to Slade, who teed the ball up for Joyce to hammer it home. When Sleeman went off left-half Charlie Carter went into goal. Within seconds Dodd had scored Truro’s fourth from long range. It was a well-taken surprise goal and the drive would have beaten most goalkeepers. Then inside-left Bill Harrower, the former Exeter player, went into the home goal. Newton Abbot were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and for the only time in the match they looked dangerous, but winger Nat Bradley twice blasted the ball wide. Just before the interval Truro beat the offside trap. Slade ripped through on his own and his shot went in off Harrower’s feet. Truro controlled play throughout the second half. Unfortunately there were stoppages every few seconds either for offside or for fouls for which the City lads got all the blame. The half was only five minutes old when Steer tapped in Dodd’s pass to make it 6-0 and a glut of goals seemed likely. That was not to be. The game was nearly over before Slade again beat the offside trap and scored the seventh. Although it was not a good game, Truro’s well-merited victory will give them confidence for their two home games this week – against Launceston on Wednesday and the return with Newton Abbot on Saturday. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser
23 – Launceston (H) W 6-1 (Matthews, Slade 5, ??, Steer ??, ??, OG ??) Wed 19 Apr
24 – Newton Abbot Spurs (H) W 10-0 (Steer 2, ??, ??, ??, Matthews ??, ??, Slade ??, ??, Dodd ??, Kendall ??) Sat 22 Apr
Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Dave Thomas
P-24 W-17 D-4 L-3 F-101 A-29 PTS-38 POS-1st
25 – Wadebridge (A) W 3-2 (Dodd 20, ??, Slade ??) Wed 26 Apr
This somewhat lucky win at Wadebridge left Truro City needing one point to clinch the league championship. Wadebridge, who made last-minute changes made them fight all the way and the game was characterised by alternate spells of heavy pressure by both sides. Truro attacked strongly from the start but Blewett missed a grand chance to put Wadebridge ahead by shooting over from close in. Truro were soon back on the attack and Wadebridge were hard pressed for a spell, Dodd putting Truro ahead from a corner at the end of 20 minutes. Steer had a good chance later, but drove wildly behind. Wadebridge began to challenge strongly and, after 34 minutes Jones put them level. Just before the interval Jones again beat Vosper to put Wadebridge 2-1 in the lead at the interval. Truro fought hard to redeem the situation in the second half and after Lamev and Duthie had missed for Wadebridge, and Vosper had saved from Jones, Dodd put Truro on level terms. Slade getting the all-important winning goal seven minutes later. Cornish Guardian
26 – Falmouth Town (A) D 2-2 (Dodd 78, Jefferies 85) Sat 29 Apr
Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Les Dodd, Ken Tyack, Basil Steer
Two goals up after half an hour’s play, Falmouth lost right-half Mitchell with a broken collar-bone. Despite this handicap, Falmouth held their lead until five minutes from time, when centre-half Jefferies scored the goal which gave Truro City the South Western League championship. With Mitchell’s departure to hospital the game lost a great deal of its promise. Falmouth, forced on to the defensive, held their two-goal lead until the 78th minute, when hard-working centre-forward Dodd reduced the arrears. Jefferies’ goal came during a goalmouth mix-up which followed a corner kick in the 85th minute. Falmouth’s goals were scored by Sullivan and Davis in the 24th and 29th minutes. Cornish Guardian
P-26 W-18 D-5 L-3 F-106 A-33 PTS-41 POS-1st
Position – CHAMPIONS!!!
27 – Penzance (A) D 1-1 (Slade 26) 4 May
Both Truro and Penzance missed many chances in their game at Penlee Park. Although there were only two goals, however, it was a thrilling match for the big crowd. Territorially, the City had the edge and they had more scoring opportunities than their rivals, but in the end a draw was a fair result. Truro started with some fine football and the home goal had some narrow escapes. Penzance, too, were dangerous and centre-half Harold Jefferies cleared off the line. Steer was unlucky for Truro when his shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced clear. Truro took the lead after 26 minutes. Left-back Peter Thomas’s clearance hit centre-half Tommy Day and rebounded to Colin Slade, who scored an easy goal. Six minutes later centre-forward Freddie Phillips broke away and lobbed in an equaliser. Truro had more of the second-half play and Steer and Les Joyce again hit the woodwork. Penzance troubled Truro goalkeeper Derek Vosper on several occasions. At the end of this match the pennant, trophy and plaques were presented to Truro by the League Chairman (Mr F. C. James), who congratulated both sides on a fine game. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
28 – Helston (A) W 3-2 (Steer 4, 10, Slade 7) 6 May
Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Victor Salmon, Norman Morrison, Dave Davies, Johnny Kendall, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Les Dodd, Reg Mattock
Vosper was Truro’s outstanding player at Helston, making some fine saves despite injury in the second half. The City rattled their opponents with three goals in the first 10 minutes, then eased the pace and allowed Helston to fight back to a one-goal deficit. Helston had no answer to Truro’s power play in the early stages and Steer scored two fine goals and Slade one. Helston came back into the picture and snatched a goal through inside-right Angove just before the interval. Helston had more of the play in the second half, but they could only score once more. Cedric Martin heading in a centre from Angove. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser
The last two South-Western League matches both involved new champions Truro City, who gained another three points to finish the season five points ahead of runners-up Plymouth Argyle. On Thursday evening the City visited Penzance and were content with a 1-1 draw, and on Saturday they travelled to Helston and won 3-2. In winning the championship for the first time Truro City broke several club records, including the number of league goals scored and conceded – 110 for, 36 against in 28 games compared with 100 for, 63 against in 30 games last season. Centre-forward Basil Steer was the league’s top scorer with 44 from 27 matches. His season’s total was 66 from 39 games. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser
League Table
1 – TRURO CITY – 28 – 19 – 06 – 03 – 110 – 036 – 44 (C)
2 – Plymouth Argyle ‘A’ – 28 – 18 – 03 – 07 – 097 – 054 – 39
3 – St Blazey – 28 – 16 – 04 – 08 – 097 – 043 – 36
4 – Falmouth Town – 28 – 15 – 05 – 08 – 087 – 037 – 35
5 – Bugle – 28 – 13 – 09 – 06 – 079 – 055 – 35
6 – Newquay – 28 – 13 – 06 – 09 – 089 – 059 – 32
7 – Helston – 28 – 15 – 02 – 09 – 063 – 055 – 32
8 – St Austell – 28 – 13 – 04 – 11 – 062 – 067 – 30
9 – Penzance – 28 – 12 – 05 – 11 – 068 – 069 – 29
10 – Wadebridge – 28 – 12 – 03 – 13 – 058 – 064 – 27
11 – Camelford – 28 – 09 – 05 – 14 – 047 – 067 – 23
12 – Launceston – 28 – 09 – 05 – 14 – 068 – 086 – 23
13 – Newton Abbot – 28 – 09 – 03 – 16 – 048 – 077 – 21
14 – Bodmin – 28 – 02 – 03 – 23 – 041 – 142 – 07
15 – Tavistock – 28 – 02 – 03 – 23 – 031 – 134 – 07
1960/1961 Squad – Ken Brenton, Dave Davies, Les Dodd, Harold Jefferies, Les Joyce, Johnny Kendall, Barry Matthews, Reg Mattock, Norman Morrison, Colin Slade, Basil Steer, Dave Thomas, Mel Triggs (GK), Ken Tyack, Derek Vosper (GK)
Appearances & Goals
Dave Davies – 3 goals
Les Dodd – 20 goals
Harold Jefferies – 1 goal
Les Joyce – 14 goals
Johnny Kendall – 1 goal
Barry Matthews – 3 goals
Reg Mattock – 6 goals
Norman Morrison – 0 goals
Colin Slade – 15 goals
Basil Steer – 43 goals
Dave Thomas – 1 goal
Mel Triggs (GK) – 0 goals
Ken Tyack – 1 goal
Derek Vosper (GK) – 0 goals
Own Goals – 2 goals
❤️🖤
TCFC 1889 