We're back with another edition of 'Getting to Know' and this time we're heading to the most westerly team within the non league system, Mousehole AFC. Situated just a few short miles from Lands End, most of you might not have realised that the small village of Mousehole (pronoucned Mawzel, I think) is home to one of the most up and coming sides within non league. Fresh from their second promotion within the past three years, the Cornish side are busy preparing themselves for an assault on the Southern League (Division One South), as well as a first foray into the FA Trophy, these are certainly exciting times for the Seagulls!
I've been to Mousehole a couple of times, sadly before I knew the football team existed, but it's always been one of my favourite places I've visited, and now I've got the perfect excuse to go back.
Back to the football though and what a few years it's been for the Seagulls. However, I wanted to hear more about it from within the club, and I was lucky enough to speak with club secretary, Andrew Large. Here's what he had to say...
Andrew, firstly, congratulations on your recent promotion, an amazing achievement to earn your place in the Southern League next season. Was promotion a real target when the season started?
"Thank you for your kind thoughts. We are so proud as a club to have reached the highest level in the club’s history – and this in our centenary year, too – and to become only the second Cornwall team ever to reach that level (after Truro City). Our Manager Jake Ash (pictured below) was captain of that record-breaking Truro side, so he knows a thing or two about what it takes. Last season (2021/22) Mousehole were promoted to the Western League Premier Division at Step 5 - itself the highest level ever for the club - and had an incredible campaign, finishing third and just four points outside a promotion spot. So this season (2022/23) the objective was to improve on that, by gaining a play-off place as runners-up, or preferably outright League winners guaranteeing promotion – and that’s exactly what happened. So, in a nutshell, what was achieved was very much part of the plan."
What are your aims and goals for the new season? Is another promotion push possible? Or is it just to consolidate at this new level?
"We see no reason why a promotion push should not be on the table, but that is not a specific objective in our first year. A top-ten or even a top-six finish would be a truly remarkable achievement in itself. We prefer to talk about ‘learning’ – which is more progressive than ‘consolidating’. "
Promotion to step 4 also means that you'll be entering the FA Trophy next season. Is that something that you're looking forward to?
"We are so much looking forward to testing ourselves against new and higher-level opposition in the Trophy. How amazing that it’s only in the last two seasons we’ve played in the FA Cup and FA Vase, and here we are on the threshold of non-league’s top cup competition. If things go our way in the early rounds we could be facing one of the giants of non-league, including some in the south-west!"
I guess another feature of promotion means more travelling next season. Being located where you are, is that an extra consideration, and if so, how do you prepare for that?
"Indeed, travel time and costs have played a major part in planning at Mousehole AFC over the last few seasons. Being the most westerly club in the NLS certainly brings its challenges. Up to a few years ago, the club rarely played matches outside Cornwall. In the Western League we played across six counties with a total mileage approaching 5000 per season. This next season in the Southern League our mileage goes up by 50%, and so do the travel costs. But progress means travel, and travel requires finance. The Directors and Committee – every single one a volunteer - are totally committed to the increased funding and work their socks off to make it happen. The club has no owners, benefactors, shareholders or major investors - every pound earned from myriad sources is the result of total commitment and sheer hard work."
With both you and Truro City making progress up the non-league pyramid, it feels a really good time for Cornish football. Truro have recently stated their ambition for reaching the football league. Do Mousehole have any long term aims?
"It is indeed a good time – or certainly a better time than previously - for Cornish football. The County is one of only a few in the country without a Football League team, and football has tended to have less prominence and publicity than rugby union. Recent changes by the FA in parts of the non-league pyramid have meant that champion clubs no longer have the option to decline promotion, and that has stimulated more of the successful and ambitious clubs to aspire to upward movement. As an example, the Western League has had a major influx of Cornish teams, and that is likely to continue. We understand Truro’s ambition for EFL status - we will not be far behind!"
Tell us a little of the club's history. How and when they were founded, any major achievements, notable players, etc....
"My colleague Sean Perrott is about to finish a well-researched book on the history of Mousehole AFC, so that’s something to look out for."
Andrew was kind enough to send me a brief history and list of milestones throughout the years. Here's a summary...
The club were founded in 1922, which means the centenary anniversary was celebrated in style, with a promotion to the Southern League. A well-attended exhibition organised by the Mousehole Archive was held on the anniversary, displaying a huge collection of photographs, news items and memorabilia covering the whole period. A book on the history of the club is in the pipeline, as mentioned previously.
In 1948, following the first Mousehole Carnival – an important fund-raiser for many years – the club joined the senior ranks of Cornish football, entering the FA Amateur Cup for the first time in 1949, and in 1950/51, despite trailing 5-1 on a Bodmin quagmire in a Cornwall Charity Cup First Round tie, Mousehole progressed to the Final, earning the support of the whole County, before losing as underdogs to Saltash United.
Mousehole’s entry to the Cornwall Combination League for 1960/61 coincided with a move as leaseholders to Trungle Parc on recently reclaimed marshland on the rural outskirts of the village of Paul – the club’s home ground to this day.
In 1987, the club purchased the freehold of the Trungle Parc site from the local Council and celebrated the occasion with a prestigious friendly match played against Manchester United.
In 2006/07, the side finished ‘Combo’ runners-up, and so qualified as founder members of South West Peninsula League Division One West, playing their first-ever League game outside Cornwall in 2008 (at Vospers Oak Villa).
In 2015/16, The Seagulls won the West Division (Step 7 of the National League System), losing only one League game all season, as well as winning the Cornwall Charity Cup Final (5-0 v St Dennis) - repeating that Cup win two seasons later (5-0 v Wadebridge Town).
Since 2019, there have been significant advances both on and off the field, thanks to the management and coaching group of Jake Ash, Adam Fletcher and Andy Graham, and a Committee of 25 actively contributing members led by Chairman Deryk Heywood .
In 2019, Mousehole were promoted to the SWPL Premier Division (Step 6), and in 2021 to the Western League Premier Division (Step 5). They finished third in their first-ever Western League season, missing promotion to the Southern League by just four points.
One final question from the other major contributor to this site, and a follower of one of your new league rivals. Where's the best place for traveling fans for overnight stays?
"We have always been reluctant to recommend places to stay, as everyone’s tastes and requirements are so varied. There are obviously places like Travelodges and Premier Inns and a variety of pubs, guesthouses and hotels offering B&B, as well as numerous Airbnb's in the locality – all best researched on the internet. We also run our own campsite at Trungle Parc, next to the football stadium (www.mouseholecamping.co.uk), for tents and glamping from Easter to September, and motorhome pitches all year round."
I really appreciate the time Andrew provided to help put this together, and my urge to head down to West Cornwall is even greater.
We wish Mousehole AFC, the club, staff and players all the best for their debut season at step four, and I look forward to crossing paths soon, and if anyone is in the area please do drop in.
These are great to read Matt, keep it up!