Falmouth Town goalkeeper and club captain Jason Chapman has signed for Peninsula League premier division rivals St Austell, bringing to an end four and half seasons at Bickland Park.
Chapman (pictured), one of Town’s most consistent performers and an ever-present in first team managers Les Gilbert and Robbie Stephens’ starting eleven, said he felt the time was right for a new start and a fresh challenge.
“I didn’t really want to leave, if I’m honest,” he said, “but I want to be challenging for trophies and playing in Senior Cup finals, and I think I’ve got a better chance of doing that at St Austell.
“I’ve had a great time over the past four or five years, and Falmouth’s a great club - a big club - but I just felt this was the right thing to do at this moment in time.”
Gilbert said Chapman left with the best wishes of everyone involved with the club.
“I think he leaves with a heavy heart, if I’m honest,” he said. “I think he really enjoyed himself at the club, and he liked the extra responsiblity of the coaching and the captaincy.
“But there’s no bad feeling at all. We really appreciated him staying last year when things were tough, and I think the way he’s conducted himself has been exemplary.”
Chapman, who lives in Probus, said that joining an ambitious club so much closer to home would allow his young family to watch him play more often.
“I only live five minutes down the road [from Poltair Park], and I’ve got a few good mates there like Chris Reski.
“I think they’ve got a good squad that can be challenging for the league next season, which is obviously what I want to be doing.”
Town’s attentions will now turn to finding a new goalkeeper, with reserve team player Ethan Fearne in the frame to take over first team duties after filling in for Chapman towards the end of the season.
But despite the disappointment of losing a club stalwart like Chapman, Gilbert remains confident that Town can still attract quality players.
“It’s a different culture now and we’re starting completely fresh. I dont’t think that’s a bad thing at all.”
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