CALLINGTON player-manager Sam Borthwick cannot wait for the new Peninsula League season to get under way – when it is safe to do so – with a new head coach at his side.

Ross James took over the position a fortnight before the season was halted due to the coronavirus lockdown when former Plymouth Argyle and Blackburn Rovers defender Nicky Marker, and Jamie Morgan, gave up their coaching roles.

‘Two weeks before the season stopped, Nicky and Jamie stepped away and I was asked to stay on as manager and look for someone to bring in alongside me, with longevity in mind,’ explained Borthwick.

‘In came Ross as head coach, a chap I have known from school and football for over 20 years, so we know each other well and Ross is really ambitious, so I’m excited to see what the season ahead, whenever that starts, will bring.

‘Ross is a really technically-minded coach and I’m really looking forward to working with him to help us be better equipped on the pitch. Myself, Steve Blatchford (assistant) and Ross are all itching to get going and really start to climb and compete further up the table!’

Callington finished the South West Peninsula League Premier West season in 17th place – three positions off the foot of the table – with six wins and two draws from their 27 games.

‘The season will always be remembered for the wrong reasons, but for me it’s been really enjoyable,’ admitted Borthwick.

‘I have learnt more in one season than I had in the previous three or four put together.

‘We had some good wins, some games where we deserved more and others where we got more than we deserved, but my highlight was the last game we played, down at Helston on a Wednesday night.

Sensational

‘Work commitments and injury meant I only had three “regulars” available.

‘The side was filled with second-team lads all under 19 and having their first taste at this level, as well as my brother who hadn’t played for five months.

‘Everyone was expecting us to get a thumping (against the league leaders), but we came away with a 2-1 defeat and to this day I am still gutted we didn’t get anything out of it.

‘The lads were sensational for me, every single one of them!’

Goalkeeper Borthwick continued: ‘The season has been a strange one for me personally.

‘It started very early in pre-season by being given the manager’s job with Lee Mann, who was stepping up from the seconds. The main aim was to keep the squad together and add some new, younger players that we can integrate, looking for the longer term future.

‘The first eight to 10 games was arguably the toughest start out of everyone in the league.

‘We played the top six (including Bodmin twice), so it was no surprise we weren’t rolling in points. We had a very young squad so it was a baptism of fire really but they continued to give us everything.

‘We then got to October and the chairman stepped in and made some changes in the interest of the side, which initially meant myself and Manners were relieved of our duties. Due to my playing role as well as coaching part, I was asked to remain part of the squad.

‘The club then approached me and asked me if I would be willing to continue to help out with the running of the side until a manager was found.

‘We then moved to bring in Nicky and Jamie to help with the side and it had an instant impact, and performances continued to improve and points soon followed.’

He added: ‘It’s a shame the season finished as it did, and our ladies team were absolutely flying and knocking on the door of promotion. The commitment they show every week, the likes of Sam Burnham who travels from Exeter and Kez Moxham from down Helston way, to Callington on Wednesday evenings just to train is fantastic.

‘It’s a shame for them as I believe they would’ve done something special this season.

‘I would like to place on record my eternal thanks to Lee Mann, Janni, Nicky Marker, Jamie Morgan, every player that has played for me this year, our supporters (yes, both of them!), my physio and anyone I have missed, for supporting me and the club this season. Stay safe and we’ll go again!’