CALLINGTON Town have been extremely busy since the end of the 2017/18 last month with the announcements of new management teams and their pre-season schedule.

After an extremely difficult campaign for the first team, which saw them finish second bottom in the Premier Division of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League but avoid relegation, the Ginsters Marshfield Parc outfit are looking to the future.

Rod Pethick and his son Kev, who have managed the thirds and seconds with great success in recent years, have been appointed managers and will be assisted by veteran goalkeeper Sam Borthwick.

Last season’s heroes Dan Jefferis and Ryan Lucassi will resume their playing careers having stepped into the breach with the help of Adam Chidzoy when the previous management team decided to leave.

They begin their pre-season with a visit from newly-promoted Toolstation Western League club Plymouth Parkway on Wednesday, July 4 (7.30pm) before the club welcome EFL League One side Plymouth Argyle a week later.

On Monday, July 16 they’ll make the relatively short trip to AFC Plympton before heading to Saltash Saltmill to take on East Cornwall Premier League side St Stephens Borough less than 48 hours later.

The final game currently scheduled is a double-header with the seconds with a trip to South West Peninsula League Division One (West) side Mousehole on Saturday, July 28. The team hope for a sixth friendly in early August before they get their campaign underway at newly-promoted Millbrook on Saturday, August 11 (3pm).

Talking about the challenges, Rod Pethick said: “I am really looking forward to the coming season for several reasons. I am delighted to have been given the honour of managing the first team having progressed through the club, and with the likes of Argyle and Parkway coming to us, and the potential FA Vase in the autumn, things are going to be very exciting for the whole club.”

His views were echoed by club chairman, Steve Woolley.

Mr Woolley said: “It was a natural progression to reward the loyalty and service of Rod and Kev with the managership of the first team and we look forward to starting a new chapter for this young but incredibly successful club.”

The Pethicks have wasted little time in sorting out their squad including the announcements that stalwarts Jefferis, Pethick and Michael Lucas remain while notable second team players joining the first team squad include Ricky Coton, Kieran Prescott and Jamie Rowlands.

They have also confirmed more signings are on the way in the coming weeks.

The club have also announced the new second team management team for the upcoming East Cornwall Premier League season.

Mark Whittaker and Paul Sanders, who ran the third team in the JJ Jones and Sons Duchy League, will step in to the second team role vacated by the Pethicks taking over the firsts.

They hope to retain a number of second team players, promote from last season’s thirds and bring in a number of additions to the squad.

The third team have withdrawn from the Duchy League, but instead the club, in conjunction with its sister club Callington Colts, will run an under 18s side to further develop young players in the coming years.

Meanwhile it will be brand new territory for the ladies as they build on last year’s record performance that saw them win the league and Cornwall FA double.

They have accepted promotion and will play in the Premier Division of the South West Women’s Football League in the new campaign starting in August.