With the two clubs situated in opposite corners of the country, the game represents the longest away trip in the history of English professional football, with the travelling Truro fans facing a gruelling 902-mile round trip from their homes in southern Cornwall all the way up to Gateshead in the northeast, on the other side of the River Tyne from Newcastle.
‘Certain opportunities only come along once in a lifetime,’ says Truro City manager John Askey, reflecting on his team’s unexpected rise to success. Guided by Askey, Truro City achieved promotion to the highest tier of non-league football. This transition from a part-time to a fully professional setup represents a significant milestone, as they are the first team from Cornwall to reach this level. Captain Connor Riley-Lowe remarks on the adjustments required in training while managing a full-time job, sharing both the challenges and rewards of this new chapter in his career.