Latest News
Launceston Football Club and Southgate Colts Form an Official Partnership

Press Release: from Launceston Football Club and Southgate Colts
Launceston Football Club and Southgate Colts Form an Official Partnership
The two main Football Clubs in Launceston are pleased to announce that they are forming a strategic partnership to continue to develop football in the district of Launceston.
Launceston FC have two adult teams in the South West Peninsula (FA Step6) and St Piran leagues (FA Step7) and Southgate FC have eighteen mixed youth teams in the Cornwall Youth and Devon Junior and Minor leagues and a Veterans team in the Cornwall Veterans league.
The partnership will enable the clubs to provide a clear pathway from youth to adult football and to join forces in developing football for all in the local community.
The Launceston FC clubhouse will also become a home for the youth teams to be able to use after matches, and all youth players will be able to watch the senior teams free of charge.
A joint development plan is being worked on with key objectives being, team and player development, reestablishing girls, and ladies’ football, and providing football to the wider community including disability groups.
Cornwall FA have played a key role in bringing the clubs together and it is hoped that the combined organisation will attract further grant funding.
Both clubs will retain their current identity and financial independence and both will maintain their status as `Not for Profit` organisations dependent on player subscriptions and the generosity of sponsors.
Both clubs also have a long-term partnership with the Athena Trust for use of the 3G and grass pitches at Launceston College. This support is vital in providing the playing facilities for one of the largest football clubs in Cornwall with an anticipated twenty-four teams for the 24/25 season.
Football Foundation grant funding has also been obtained to improve the standard of the pitches by means of the grass pitch maintenance and equipment funds.
Some of the major developments planned for the 2024/25 season are:
Launceston Development Team
This new team will take players from the previous seasons U16’s and put them alongside experienced players willing to help the youth players make the transition to men’s football. An application will be made for the Development Team to enter the St Piran league. The aim is to give the players the opportunity for further advancement into the St Piran Premier league and South West Peninsula League sides.
Steve Stoppard the current U16 Manager has agreed to take charge of the team and he has the full support of the current Launceston men’s team managers Neil Price and Kevin Hatch.
If you are interested in joining contact Steve by email on: cornishjellybelly@gmail.com
Launceston Ladies
The growth of ladies’ football has been phenomenal and there is a lot of interest in reforming a Launceston Ladies Team. The plan is that in the first year it would be a development team. and would play friendlies to get the team up and running.
Chelsea Drury who is both a coach and player is keen to develop a Launceston Ladies and if you would like to be involved please email Chelsea on: chelseadrury3@gmail.com
Southgate Girls
There is a huge interest in girls’ football with in excess of fifty girls attending the Argyle Community Trust and Southgate Mini training sessions. Although there are already some amazing young girls playing in the Southgate Colts mixed teams, but some girls would prefer to play in a girl only team.
If you are interested in joining a Southgate Girls team as a player, coach, or manager for the 24/25 season please email: Southgatefcsecretary@gmail.com
As community-based clubs, volunteers are essential to support coaching, administration, and finance. New volunteers are the lifeblood of grassroots football and if you can help, we would love to hear from you. LauncestonFC@aol.com or Southgatefcsecretary@gmail.com
A couple of key dates for diaries Southgate signing on night Tuesday 4th June at Launceston Football Club, Launceston FC preseason training commences Wednesday 12th June at the College 3G.
Both clubs are excited by the prospect of working together and providing a key role in the community, come and join us and be part of our football family.
Comment from Will Snapes | Football Development Officer- Cornwall Football Association
“It’s fantastic to see these two clubs be forward thinking to create and develop a strong pathway for players in the area to transition through. The partnership between them will not only help the growth of the clubs and their facilities, but also increase participation in football in the area. We look forward to seeing how Southgate Colts and Launceston progress and how we can support them both further in the future.”
Paul Bruton
Southgatefcsecretary@gmail.com
07976120041
A Tribute to Barry Kinver


Southgate Colts would like to play tribute to one of our former youth coaches Barry Kinver who sadly passed away this year.
Barry was an inspirational coach, and alongside Trevor Watkins between 1996 and 2001 ran a very successful Southgate Youth team that won many honours in the DJM.
Barry’s achievements were not confined to youth football he was a successful player and manager for many local teams, Launceston, Southgate, Altarnun, Lifton and Abru to name but a few and he was a well respected member of the football and wider community.
Always ready for a conversation as he took his long walks around Launceston Barry will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Barry’s family.
Pictured above : Barry in his early playing days captaining Abru in the L&D Sunday League and Barry and Trevor with Southgate U14’s
Southgate Colts would like to play tribute to one of our former youth coaches Barry Kinver who sadly passed away last week.
Barry was an inspirational coach, and alongside Trevor Watkins between 1996 and 2001 ran a very successful Southgate Youth team that won many honours in the DJM.
Barry’s achievements were not confined to youth football he was a successful player and manager for many local teams, Launceston, Southgate, Altarnun, Lifton and Abru to name but a few and he was a well respected member of the football and wider community.
Always ready for a conversation as he took his long walks around Launceston Barry will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Barry’s family.
Pictured above : Barry in his early playing days captaining Abru in the L&D Sunday League and Barry and Trevor with Southgate U14’s