Eric Perez, a Canadian entrepreneur, is playing a pivotal role in the rise of Truro City FC, a football club in England. Previously, he brought professional rugby league to Canada with the establishment of the Toronto Wolfpack. Currently, Perez serves as the chairman and CEO of Truro City FC, which has recently celebrated a significant milestone by winning the National League South title. This achievement marks Truro City as the first club from Cornwall to get promoted to the National League, the fifth tier of English football.
Founded in 1889, Truro City FC has undergone a remarkable transformation under Perez's leadership. Upon his takeover in November 2023, the club was struggling, averaging only 75 dedicated fans per game and was located over an hour away in Plymouth. The club had not played in its home city for years, with one of its previous owners having sold the football ground. When Perez and his Canadian consortium acquired the club, it was languishing near the bottom of the league table.
Fast forward to today, Truro City FC has not only secured promotion to the National League but has also established a tangible connection with its local fan base, averaging almost 1,990 spectators per game. The club experienced multiple sellouts throughout the season despite operating on a significantly lower budget compared to its competitors. Perez's next objective is to guide the team into League Two, the lowest tier of the English Football League.
Perez's earlier connection to the region stemmed from his role as chairman of the Cornwall RLFC rugby league club. His vision for Truro City FC was rooted in the opportunity to revitalize the soccer team and re-engage the local fan community. Initial support from the fans was resounding, as they came in large numbers from the very first match. The club, which had been absent from Truro for four years, found its homecoming welcomed enthusiastically.
The ownership group behind Truro City FC comprises approximately a dozen members, predominantly from Toronto, along with some American investors, many of whom are long-time acquaintances of Perez. The culmination of their efforts led to a dramatic final round of matches, where Truro City clinched the title atop the league standings on goal difference. They achieved this by defeating St Albans City 5-2 in front of a record audience of 3,597 at the Truro Community Stadium, finishing ahead of third-place Torquay United to secure the sole automatic promotion spot.
Following the final whistle, fans flooded the pitch to celebrate a moment of pure joy that Perez described as evidence of the disbelief surrounding their success. This incredible triumph even drew comments in the UK Parliament, with Jayne Kirkham, Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, congratulating the club for its incredible journey from "homelessness to league champions" in a single season. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also extended his congratulations.
In an open letter to supporters after the promotion was confirmed, Perez expressed gratitude and highlighted the historic achievement for Truro City FC, stating that the moment belonged to every supporter. The team is set to kick off pre-season preparations against Plymouth Argyle from League One, leading up to their first game in the National League on August 9 against Wealdstone FC. To accommodate the growing fan base, an additional 800 seats have been added to the stadium, increasing the total capacity to 4,100.
This season, all players are being contracted as professionals, a shift from the previous season where half the team was semi-professional. As Perez admits, they have significant challenges ahead, especially since many considered them likely to be relegated. The future looks promising for Truro City FC as they embark on this exciting new chapter, fueled by a dedicated fan base and the ambition to ascend through the tiers of English football.
