GP: I think that the promise of the restructuring of the Western League and Project South West that we're hoping to see come to fruition in 2023/24 is very exciting and means that this next season is an opportunity that we and the players wouldn't have had otherwise. With, dare I say it, 2022/23 being the last season potentially of the Western League as we know it, there's something particularly nice for our club being the Western League's longest serving club to be playing in its Premier Division. I think that that's a really nice end to our story with the Western League, and I think also now we're in a situation where obviously there's been a lot of discussion about the merits of teams having to travel to our friends in the far reaches of Cornwall and what have you, but now this is our last opportunity to do it. If this North-South step 5 does come to be, then we're not going to have those long trips. And I think now we can look ahead to next season thinking, 'right, this is probably FA Cup and FA vase aside, our last opportunity to play at Mousehole, to play at Helston, to play at Falmouth, Torpoint, wherever else and that has to be something that, knowing that it's a short-term thing, we can enjoy.

IN: Now, one final question it's not a question, really - normally, of course, on the podcast, we speak to the managers and last week we had Tom Smith on, we had Andy Crabtree as well previewing the final. One of the themes I've noticed from my conversations with Tom throughout the season is he's very keen to praise the volunteers at Welton Rovers, in particular, yourself for all of the work that you do. So, I thought we'd have a chance to turn the tables now, Gareth. Given what Tom has achieved this season, and of course with his assistant, Will Justin, what do those two mean to you and the football club?

GP: They're fantastic. I mean, when you look at it Will Justin, he's somebody who came to us as a player late in the 2018/19 season, I think, before that was curtailed. Sorry, no, the 2019/20 season it would be, as a goalkeeper, a great Western League goalkeeper played for a ton of clubs. Helped us improve in a position where we needed to improve and very quickly fell for the club, I think, felt welcome and enjoyed his time there. When he became assistant to Tom Smith, it was the perfect combination and Will's knowledge of the Western League, his organisation, his ability to communicate and get messages across to players is fantastic. Tom is somebody who has been with Welton Rovers since the age of 16, myself and Tom played in the same B-team nearly 15 years ago and that was when he was a 16-year-old. Obviously, he was a better footballer than I was then, so I've known Tom all that time, to see him come through play at Welton Rovers under the likes of Malcolm Beck for example, Nick Beaverstock, Clive Scott, several really decent managers. He's a Welton Rovers supporter, he's a Midsomer Norton boy and it means that he knows our supporters, he knows our players, he knows how the club works and I couldn't be happier for him to achieve this with us at such a young age, as well. And he's somebody that I hope to be at the helm for Welton Rovers for as long as - basically until he becomes too good and has no choice but to go. That's what I'm hopeful of. And my experience of helping run a football club is that very seldom do you get things right on and off the pitch at the same time. If things are going well on the pitch, then you're struggling with things off the pitch and vice versa. And thanks to the hard work of our volunteers off the pitch, and to an absolutely fantastic group of players with unquestionable character the way that they, you know, recovered from the disappointment of, well, throwing away the league essentially. And Tom Smith being the same that, yeah, it feels like the club is in great hands, and that certainly makes my life and the life of the likes of Malcolm Price, Welton Rovers' chairperson, and all our committee and volunteers - it makes our existence a lot more fun and a lot easier.

GP: Thanks ever so much, Ian, and thank you for your work with the podcast. What we're saying about how supporting a Western League club is a legitimate thing to do and it's things like your podcast that prove that, and I know that supporters, players and clubs all across the Western League are really grateful for this outlet. So, thanks for your hard work throughout the season.

The full interview: http://toolstationleague.com/podcasts/