How a Cornish football club survived bankruptcy and 920-mile away trips
In short: From losing their home ground to road widening to facing liquidation over unpaid taxes, Truro City F.C. has endured a century of extreme volatility. Now the highest-ranked club in Cornwall, their journey involves record-breaking travel distances and a historic rise through the English football pyramid.
Founded in 1889 as a member of the Cornwall County Football Association, Truro City’s history is defined by survival against financial and structural odds. The club experienced significant upheaval in the 1970s when a by-pass development forced them out of their ground and into the Cornwall Combination. Decades later, the club faced even more existential threats. In 2012, following the bankruptcy of chairman Kevin Heaney, the club entered administration. HMRC had lodged multiple winding-up petitions over unpaid taxes, and the club was nearly expelled from the Football Conference when they failed to meet a £50,000 bond requirement.
The club's survival was secured by businessmen Pete Masters and Philip Perryman, who purchased the club in December 2012. This period of stability eventually paved the way for a meteoric rise. Under the ownership of the Canadian consortium 'Ontario Inc', and through various managerial eras, Truro achieved historic milestones, including winning the FA Vase at a newly constructed Wembley Stadium in front of 36,232 fans. They became the first Cornish side to reach the fifth tier of English football, winning the National League South title in the 2024–25 season by virtue of goal difference over Torquay United.
However, the climb to the professional ranks has brought unprecedented logistical challenges. As the club moved into the National League, they broke the record for the longest football travel distance in the UK. In September 2025, they completed an 880-mile round trip to Carlisle, followed by a 920-mile journey to Gateshead in October 2025. Despite becoming the first Cornish side to achieve professional status in the 2025–26 season, the step up proved difficult, resulting in relegation back to the National League South.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Truro City F.C.
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