Truro squad impresses Askey despite relegation threat

Truro City manager John Askey has said he has been impressed with his players' commitment, despite the imminent threat of relegation.

The Tinners face Yeovil Town at Huish Park knowing a loss, and a win or draw for Eastleigh at Woking, would send them down.

Truro are the first club from Cornwall to ever reach the fifth tier of English football after winning National League South last season.

But they have found life tough, winning just seven of their 41 games and are 12 points adrift of safety with five games left.

However they are on a three-game unbeaten run that has seen them win at Sutton United before drawing with Solihull Moors and Boreham Wood.

"It's not something I've thought about, one or two of the players might," Askey told BBC Radio Cornwall when asked about being relegated on Friday.

"We've just got to go there and give it everything.

"It's been a tough season, but the past few weeks have been a bit uplifting really because it could have completely petered out and we could have gone under.

"It's to the players' credit they've kept going.

Truro's first season in the National League has seen the club travel further than any other side in the history of English league football.

Their trip to Yeovil - their nearest neighbours - is still a three-hour one-way trip while journeys to places like Gateshead, Hartlepool United and Carlisle have seen the club clock up thousands of miles on the road.

"It's a huge commitment for the Truro supporters, especially the away supporters, and that's what's got to be in our heads that every time we go out there - we're playing for Truro," Askey added.

"It's difficult because nobody's ever had to do that before, it's the furthest that a football club's ever travelled in this country.

"It throws up a lot of problems, the expense of it is huge, and being able to do it right is hard.

"We've been trying to find out the best ways to do it as we've gone on really.

"We've never complained abut it, we've just got on with it and we'll continue to do that."

With Truro needing an incredibly unlikely footballing miracle if they are to stay in the fifth tier, eyes will begin to turn to next season.

The club has been full-time in the National League and a large number of the squad are contracted through to the end of next season.

It is just their second campaign back in the Cornish capital after years away while they built a new ground.

The club has averaged more than 2,100 fans for every home game this season - putting them mid-table in terms of attendance, something which Askey hopes his side can continue to evolve on next season.

"Since the team has gone back to Truro, people appreciate that they've got a football club, and it's the best team that Truro have ever had," he added.

"We're not happy with the position that we're in, but we're hoping that we can build on what's been achieved to far.

"Even though it's more than likely that we're going to go down, it's the start of the club getting to where they want to be eventually."