⚽ Cornwall Football: Departing Newquay chief cites ‘difference of opinion’ as reason for exit
Plus: Air ambulance teams ready for rematch in the name of charity
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🚪 Departing Newquay chief cites ‘difference of opinion’ as reason for exit
🚁 Air ambulance teams ready for rematch in the name of charity
Enjoy. 〓〓
🚪 Departing Newquay chief cites ‘difference of opinion’ as reason for exit
By Tom Howe
Craig Ainslie says a ‘difference of opinion’ was to blame for his sudden departure as manager of Newquay AFC, citing a contrast in ambition as a determining factor.
Following two years at the helm, Ainslie took to social media last week to announce his services were ‘no longer wanted’ by a club he represented first as a player before latterly as coach and manager.
After succeeding long-standing boss Tony Mackellar in March of 2021, the Newquay local helped chisel a squad full of promising talent that built on an 11th place finish in his first South West Peninsula League campaign with sixth spot in the term just gone.
However, despite plans already being well underway for next term, Ainslie revealed his own aspirations weren’t matched by the club’s committee who he says are making moves to protect the Peppermints’ long-term future.
“It boils down to a difference of opinion in terms of where we think the club can go next season,” Ainslie told Cornwall Sports Media. “I put in planning from as early as January this year in terms of looking ahead to next season and what that might look like, and what kind of work we might need to start thinking about to get us in the right position to give us the best chance.
“We spent two years getting the team to where we wanted it to be on the pitch. The club had made some good strides off it and we genuinely felt, going into next season, that we were going to be in a good position to really compete. I thought we proved in spells this season that we were right up there against some of the best sides; your Wendrons, Budes, Liskeards and Blazeys.
“We had some good results against those teams and weren't a million miles away from being at that level ourselves. That was the natural progression for us. We felt that, as a playing squad and staff, we wanted to push for promotion and challenge to win the league next year. That it is a big commitment in terms of the club going up through the leagues and the [committee] felt they weren't in a position to support that.
“What the impact would be on the club if we did go up is, reading between the lines, probably what they are concerned about. We offered everything that we could in terms of support and feedback, and dug as deep as we could in terms of speaking to the players about sponsorship and fundraising, and were quite committed to doing it all again this year.”
The town’s club, which celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2020, has made giant leaps both on and off the pitch in recent years following a period of decline which left a question mark over its very future.
You only need to look a mile and a half down the road to witness the perils of semi-professional football, with Newquay’s neighbours Godolphin Atlantic disbanding midway through last season.
“The club doesn't have endless resources and has a strict policy on sustainability,” explained Ainslie. “They want to protect their existence and are very concerned about the environment outside of football. I felt very strongly that the club is in a position to step forward with the help of the players and coaching staff, with the rest of the club chipping in, but the club itself didn't feel that way. That difference was big enough and the opinions were strong enough that, in the end, the club decided that they didn't want to move forward with me and the boys [assistants Ashley Bradshaw and Josh Stockdale].
“They said what they thought the club was capable of providing. We went to the players, had a chat and essentially agreed to work with it and come up with the difference ourselves but they came back and said they had made the decision to part ways which they are quite within their rights to do. They are going to make the decision they think is best for the club.
“It is a huge shame but if the club isn't ambitious to step forward then it is probably best that we part ways. We had to make a conscious decision about whether we were happy to take steps backwards or whether it was best for all parties to go separate paths.
“At the end of the day, I felt we could go one way and the club didn't think we could. That is the way it is, that's football. I had got some strong commitments going into next season. We were looking to build on some of the fantastic players we had, who each deserve a lot of credit, especially the ones who have been with me since the start. I have had Harry Ashton, Cam Turner, Alex Cole, Tom Whipp and Scott Flannigan all from day one pretty much. They played a lot of games and stuck with the process.
“They got a lot of reward last season in terms of some great performances and one of the highest league positions as a club in quite a long time. They will take time to assess the situation individually and as groups. There is a great culture in the dressing room and there are some good leaders in there. I am sure they will speak to each other and the club and work out what they plan to do moving forward.”
Such is his standing in the game that Ainslie was almost immediately in discussions with other clubs and, on Wednesday, announced he is to join Chris Knight’s coaching team at nearby St Austell.
“I love coaching and working with players,” he concluded. “Being generous, I was a below average player at this level and have perhaps found something I am slightly better at in coaching. I have enjoyed the last few years and am very grateful to the club for the opportunity. Ten years ago, somebody with my experience wouldn’t have gotten near the job at Newquay.
“Times have changed and it was a genuine honour to coach the club. I live in the town and have a lot of friends there. There are some fantastic people at the club and it was a real pleasure. That enjoyment of coaching doesn’t go away. I would be pretty bored if I didn’t have something to get my teeth into.”
🚁 Air ambulance teams ready for rematch in the name of charity
By Tom Howe
What do Neil Warnock, Harry Redknapp and Brendan Rodgers each have in common? Aside from more than 3,500 matches managed between them, the trio are also brought together in messages of support for Cornwall Air Ambulance ahead of Saturday's charity football match against their Thames Valley counterparts.
A team representing and directly affected by the work of Cornwall Air Ambulance took to the field for the very first time 12 months ago, edging their colleagues from across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire 3-2 in front of hundreds of supporters and well-wishers.
The teams are both ready to battle it out in an eagerly-anticipated rematch at Porthleven's Gala Parc in what will headline a range of events designed to help maintain both services and allow them to continue delivering fast and effective emergency care to patients in their moment of need.
The day consists of far more than just the football however, with patients, paramedics and those with a connection to the service’s charities joining forces to raise awareness of the two lifesaving resources during an afternoon of entertainment, competition and fundraising.
“We have got the main event, which is the football match, but we don't want it to be purely about that,” explained Cornwall's Rob Hosking, a serving paramedic and local football personality. “It is going to be a day when anyone can attend and where there will be something for everyone. I appreciate that there are lots of worthy causes out there that are so deserving and that finances are stretched across the board but we know how vital a service this is to Cornwall alone, especially in peak season.
“The road network really isn't cut out in lots of areas should an emergency happen. They can get anywhere in Cornwall within 12 minutes which is pretty good going. Not forgetting that they cover the Isles of Scilly too, which they can reach in about half an hour. This itself is one of a number of events taking place and the more money that we can raise, the better.
“I personally know lots of people inside and outside of sport who have needed air ambulance assistance, be it day or night. They never know when they might be needed and they are, alongside all of the other emergency services, doing a fantastic job in saving multiple lives.
“We were really pleased with how it went last year. Lots of money was raised but we are looking to see if we can surpass that this year. The air ambulance itself attends about 1,000 missions a year. It has a helicopter and two rapid response cars, and costs somewhere in the region of £6 million to run each year. That is just Cornwall, without adding on Thames Valley.”
The air ambulance relies upon the generosity of community groups, individuals and businesses to help raise the required amount a year that ensures their helicopter remains in the air and their vehicles on the road.
The response has been described by Hosking as ‘humbling’, with raffle donations including signed shirts from League One champions Plymouth Argyle and FA Cup finalists Manchester United, meals at Kota Kai in Porthleven and Bodmin Jail, bottles of spirits retailing in the £50 mark and lots more besides.
“We have got lots of raffle prizes which so many wonderful people have donated to and been so generous with,” continued Hosking, who recently won the St Piran League's West Division with club side Truro City reserves. “There are far too many to mention in all honesty. A big thank you to Porthleven Football Club for agreeing to host this year, too.
“We want to make the day fun, something for people to enjoy so they get something back for their donations. Those that can't attend, if they are able to chuck £1 or whatever they can in online, or if they are able to purchase raffle tickets, it really does make a difference. That could contribute to saving someone's life and that is what it is really all about.
“We have had some fantastic support from so many different people including the likes of Harry Redknapp, Mark Chapman, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Warnock who have all recorded videos and sent well wishes to us. It is all helping raise the profile and give the players a boost. Some of them have survived life changing injuries and illnesses to don the shirt so they really appreciate it.
“Our goalkeeper Scott Halliday is a prime example. He was involved in an explosion at a restaurant in St Ives and suffered severe burns. After treatment from land and air ambulance crews, he was flown on for further treatment which saved his life. We are not asking for people to remortgage or make vast donations of money. If they have just a couple of pounds spare then it would be really, really appreciated.”
The Gala Parc gates will open from 12.00 pm on Saturday (May 20), with the match getting underway at 1.00 pm. Tickets are £2 per adult and £1 per child and can be purchased on the day. For further information on the occasion, including details on how to make a donation should you be unable to attend, visit cornwallairambulancetrust.org/caat-fc or call the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust on 01637 889926.
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