POLPERRO FC have named a new management team for their St Piran League outfit by appointing Steve Sharpe, Phil Wright and Dave Gilbert.

The trio will have big boots to fill after long-serving manager Matt Pengelly stood down after 10 years in the post (see page 10).

The club issued a statement, saying: ‘We are delighted to announce that the new manager of Polperro AFC first team will be Steve Sharpe. He will be assisted by his right-hand man Phil Wright and first-team player-coach Dave Gilbert.

‘The club are very excited about the future and believe this management team can maintain the high values and standards that were built before them.

‘Steve and Phil have the enthusiasm and motivation to drive this team forward.

‘They have been working together for numerous years and have enjoyed recent success with the club’s reserve team, where they won back-to-back Duchy League titles as well as reaching the final of the Duchy Knockout Cup.

‘They will be assisted by first-team captain and player-coach Dave Gilbert, who has represented the club for over 20 years and knows the club inside and out.

‘We hope this team will lead us into an exciting and successful future.

‘The players are in full support with the appointment and are raring to get back out on to the pitch.

‘The club’s reserve side, well placed in the Duchy League system, will be managed by former player and last year’s successful U16 manager Andy Giles.

‘He will look to integrate a number of these young players into an experienced reserve team squad.’

MATTHEW Pengelly has stepped down as the first-team manager of Polperro AFC.

But even though Pengelly, known as ‘Gelly’, who is a legend of the club, is moving away from the managerial position, he will still be an integral part of the football club and maintain his role as club secretary.

‘Gelly’ has been first-team boss for 10 years after managing the club’s reserve team, as well as playing for the club for many years.

He has been responsible for many successful seasons, including winning the East Cornwall Premier League Cup and Supplementary Cup, as well as clinching the ECPL Division One title in 2013.

Polperro chairman and first-team captain David Gilbert said: ‘He will be remembered as the most successful manager in the club’s history after repeatedly competing and beating teams from higher divisions.

‘He has an incredible reputation in the Cornish game and has rebuilt numerous teams that are known for their hard work and attacking flare, while mirroring his belief in the importance of sportsmanship and positive values.

‘Mr Polperro will be missed in the dugouts at Killigarth, but hopefully Matt will be able to enjoy a few Saturdays off before returning as a supporter on match-days.

‘We would again like to thank Matthew for all of his hard work and commitment to our special football club.

‘An opportunity to further celebrate his commitment, success and hard work will be organised at a future date when able.’

Pengelly took over the reins of the Polperro first team in 2010, after a 13-year stint playing in and managing the club’s Duchy League side, inheriting a squad of players he knew well from their developmental years in the reserves.

In his first season the team, then mid-table in ECPL Division One, won the ECPL Fred Binks Cup, defeating Premier side Bude Town 3-1, despite playing 70 minutes of the final with 10 men.

After narrowly missing promotion to ECPL Premier in 2010-11 and 2011-12, Polperro reached the League Cup final against overwhelming favourites Torpoint Athletic at Blaise Park.

A superb performance saw them become the first Division One side to lift the trophy, thanks to a hard-fought clean sheet and a Dominic Richardson strike.

This was followed by a phenomenal run of 11 straight wins in five weeks to seal the league title and the double on goal difference over a strong Kilkhampton outfit, despite lying in eighth place at Easter.

The league run probably cost the side the Evely Cup, narrowly losing 2-1 to a strong St Day side in the final at Penryn.

The club went on to establish themselves as a respected ECPL Premier side, never finishing below fifth place.

Cup upsets continued to be a feature of Pengelly’s reign, with convincing Charity Cup victories over SWPL sides Penzance (4-1) and St Dennis (4-2), while a 3-0 reverse flattered eventual winners Falmouth Town in the Senior Cup but earned great reviews in 2019.

Pengelly hands over the reins of a youthful squad that held third spot (and highest goal tally with 87) in St Piran East, boasting seven players under the age of 22, and loyal stalwarts like Dave Gilbert, Mike Rickard, Scott Sayer, Dale Hooper and all-time leading scorer Rob Spencer adding vital experience.