ILLOGAN Park RFC, along with a number of other junior clubs, are well aware of their capabilities and therefore have a very good idea of what they are likely to achieve.

That, perhaps, is why clubs like Park manage to survive year in year out and is emphasised by assistant fixture secretary Jenson Keen's appraisal of their hopes for the 2006-07 season.

"Illogan Park's ambitions this season are to try and survive in Cornwall One which, to be honest, has been our main ambition since we arrived in this league about three seasons ago.

"We would also like to do well in the Skinner's Brewery Cornwall Junior Cup again. Last season we made it to the final and lost 17-3 to Newquay Hornets at Truro RFC. In the Junior Cup it is very hard to reach the final and should we make it there again we would like to go one better and actually win it this time."

Park have made a number of new signings this season which includes Matthew Taylor, aged 17 from Camborne, Jason Roberts from Stithians, Gary Morris (unattached), Martin Shrigley (unattached), and Ben Pearson from Veor.

Illogan Park will be unable to call on several prominent players who for one reason or another have moved on or retired.

Peter Deseta, whose name has been synonymous with Illogan Park and who has given his whole rugby playing life to the club, has retired. He was capped for the senior Cornwall team on several occasions and will be sorely missed by the players and officials.

"We all wish him the very best in his retirement," said Jenson, "and hope that he can continue to be associated with Illogan Park in some capacity."

Steve Rhys is another player who has spent his whole career with the club and retired at the very top of his game. He was probably the best second row line-out jumper in junior rugby.

Jenson added: "Nobody wanted him to go, but we wish him all the best in retirement and hope that in some way he can help out with the team.

"Graham Wills is another long-term club player and earned the nickname Powerhouse' from a match report that he submitted himself to the local press. He was also a major sponsor of the club and his playing style and sense of humour will be missed greatly."

Park's coaching staff comprises two former players, Mark Evans and Shaun Maddern. Evans has given many years' service to the club as a flanker and more recently as a makeshift centre.

"He was always a fiery character on the field but a very placid and funny person off the pitch," said Jenson.

Shaun Maddern used to play for St Just before finally arriving at Illogan Park and playing for three or so seasons in the centre of the Park 1st XV. Having had to retire from playing, Shaun decided to take up refereeing through the club's refereeing scheme.He managed to climb the ranks quite quickly and within three years was officiating at South West I level before finally giving up through a permanent knee injury. He decided to take the RFU coaching course and focused on coaching at Illogan Park.