PROVIDING the extraordinary general meeting approves the details of the rescue package offered by Mr Kevin Heaney, Truro City Football Club can look forward to a much brighter and, hopefully, exciting future.

In fact, if the ideas suggested by Mr Heaney come to fruition, City could become one of the biggest clubs in Westcountry football.

His ultimate aim is to bring professional football to Cornwall with Truro making their way up the leagues and, hopefully, the Nationwide Conference Football League.

"There are teams playing in that league that have smaller populations than Truro, so I see no reason why Truro can't compete at that level." said Mr Heaney.

"In the short term we need to look at the areas in which we can make improvements, but we are not going to be gung-ho. Everything will be evaluated so that steady progress can be maintained.

"If everything goes as envisaged, we will move up through the leagues and would then be representing Cornish football and putting Cornwall on the map, so I would like to think that people in Cornwall would get behind Truro, especially if they are successful, much as they do in rugby.

"If they can do it in rugby, Penzance-Newlyn and Cornwall for example, I see no reason why we can't do it in football."

Anyone who thinks this idea is just talk will be in for a big surprise because Mr Heaney is deadly serious about his ambitions for the club.

"The ground will need revamping and plans will be submitted to Carrick council to turn the Treyew Road ground into a proper football stadium," said Mr Heaney.

"We will want to strengthen the team so that we can get a Carlsberg SWL championship under our belt and then begin the process of winning promotion through the leagues.

"I am sure that players in Cornwall will want to play at the highest level and I don't see the travelling to be too big a problem. In fact, that can work both ways because clubs might not fancy travelling down to Truro on a cold, wet winter's day and that could work to our benefit."

Football has always been littered with people who have been accused of just talking a good game, but Mr Heaney, a Tottenham Hotspur supporter, is unshakeable in his belief that he can make City a success.

"People at the club are totally committed to Truro City, they genuinely love the club and are always right behind you, and I admire that in people.

"I also have the resources and the confidence in my own ability to deliver, so that is not a problem.

"The football club is part of the community in which I live and I want it to be successful.

"It is not only about having the best team, but ensuring that we also have the best youth football in the area. There is a lot of young talent in Cornwall and what better than to have a club where they can go and have the opportunity to play at the highest level and get themselves noticed.

"My family live in Cornwall, my work is in Cornwall, and my children were born in and go to school in Cornwall, so I am totally committed to Cornwall.

Full story in this week's issue.