Prince William sends royal well wishes to football club ahead of historic season

Prince William has sent a message of well wishes and congratulations to Truro City Football Club ahead of their premier in the National League.

William, who has long been an avid football fan and is patron of the Football Association, addressed the message to the club’s captain Connor Riley-Lowe, as the club became a fully professional side for the first time. The club were promoted last April in their first season back in Cornwall, having played out of the county for almost four years as they awaited a new ground to be built in Truro.

The Prince of Wales, who is also known as the Duke of Cornwall, wrote to Riley-Lowe ahead of the club’s first home match next week, to show his support for the team.

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“The Duke of Cornwall has asked me to write ahead of your home match against York on Saturday next week,” the letter began. “The Duke knows that you have only just returned home after a few years away, and like everyone else in Cornwall, will be cheering you on.

“ Prince William has asked me to pass on his warmest congratulations in getting promoted to the National League as Cornwall’s first professional team. This comes with the Duke of Cornwall’s very best wishes. Good luck to the Tinners.”

Prince William has long professed his love for Aston Villa, and recently attended the UEFA Women’s Final in Switzerland, accompanied by his daughter Princess Charlotte, to cheer on the Lionesses as they claimed their victory over Spain.

In addition to his dedication to his favourite team, William has incorporated his love of the game into his charity ventures. In May, William celebrated the latest stage of an ambitious project to transform community spaces in Leith, announcing a new partnership with a local football scheme described as a "blueprint for the future".

Street Soccer Scotland - founded by former professional footballer David Duke - delivers free football-themed training and personal development programmes for socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland.

Upon arrival at Leith Community Centre, William couldn’t resist joining in football drills, where he was treated to flamenco dancing and heard how young people have been enacting change in their local area.

The prince needed no encouragement to give a penalty shoot-out a go, though he was disappointed when the goalie saved his first shot. But William managed to kick the ball into the net on his second attempt, prompting loud cheers. He turned to the team behind him and said, "That’s it, I’m done now," as he held up his hands to concede.

Truro City begin their season with a trip to Wealdstone on Saturday before their first home league game of the season a week later against York City. They are the first team from Cornwall to ever reach the fifth tier of English football and the first side from the county to go fully professional.

Captain Connor Riley-Lowe, who had been balancing his football career with a full-time job as a teacher, told BBC Sport of the team’s stunning promotion: "It's taken some getting used to."

"It still feels a bit strange coming to football every day rather than going into work, but it's been lovely," he says. "It's just been brilliant for me. It just allows you to be able to work a bit harder on the training ground."