By Peter Tremayne

Truro City’s footballers were watched by 1,550 spectators yesterday (Saturday) as they climbed to third place in the National League (South) with a 2-1 win over Tonbridge.

At the end of the season, the top two teams in the league win promotion to the main and almost 100% professional National League, above which sits the English Football league and greatly increased opportunities for revenue through commercial sponsorship.

While the on-pitch heroics are entertaining, it is the £14-per-head spectators who are encouraging Cornwall Council.

The £11million taxpayer-funded Langarth community sports hub, where Truro City now play, has been made available to the Canadian-owned private club on only a 14-month peppercorn rent.

Any return on this investment still looks like a deeply-improbable gamble, but after 13 games so far this season, County Hall officials can claim “so far, so good.”

Video: Truro City

The council’s lease to the footballers is due for review at the end of the season.  Some officials are already contemplating a 250-year deal but this would be politically-controversial, as other local football teams and sports struggle to understand why they have not enjoyed similar taxpayer support.

petertremayne@cornwallreports.co.uk