The first in a new series of interviews with our local football managers about their highs, lows and hopes for their club.

First up is Falmouth Town manager Andrew Westgarth.

Best memory?

I suppose the Senior Cup [triumph in 2019] stands out just because of the significance of what it meant to the club, but the Tavistock one [League Cup final victory in 2018], to beat Tavistock and to win your first trophy as a manager is a big achievement. Tavistock were flying high, we were doing well, again I think we had a congestion of fixtures.

It was also revenge in what was the final game of the season for losing 7-0 at home to them on the opening day of the season.

To come from behind, Jordan [Annear] to score a hat-trick, and we had our dinner and dance that night means it probably just pips it [the Senior Cup] from a personal point of view in the sense that it was the first one I’d won as a manager, even though that was an unbelievable day in itself.

Winning my first game as a manager was a big highlight – St Blazey away. It’s one of those ones just to get the monkey off your back.

Falmouth Packet:

Andrew Westgarth celebrates the Senior Cup victory with midfielder Tim Nixon as goalscorer James Ward looks on. Picture: Colin Higgs

Biggest achievement?

Biggest achievement would be winning the Senior Cup because if you look at the list of people that haven’t won the Senior Cup, the greats off the top of my head like the George Torrances, and Rappo [Mark Rapsey] quite often speaks about it on the [Cornish soccer] podcast.

There are some top, top names that have not won the Senior Cup, so it’s got to be winning the Senior Cup.

Worst moment?

I’ve had some painful defeats to deal with but the most sickening, and what really broke me, was conceding a last-minute goal against Saltash in the League Cup final [in 2019]. It’s the worst way to lose a game of football, especially a cup final.

Falmouth Packet:

Town applaud the F-Troop after their agonising League Cup final defeat to Saltash. Picture: Colin Higgs

Hopes for the future?

Leaving the club in a better position than when I walked through the doors would be my main ambition, whether that’s higher in the league consistently or in a higher division.

What makes the club special to you?

Just the history. I don’t think you can go too far without people knowing who Falmouth Town are, what they’ve done, what they’ve achieved and I’m proud to be part of that, especially being a Falmouth lad.

The history, the players, the trophies they’ve won, the ground itself is such a special place for people.

You throw all that in together and that’s what makes a special club.