Tyler Harvey's Impact on Truro City's Promotion Aspirations
John Askey is looking at Tyler Harvey and thinking back to the season when everything clicked.
Two years ago, Harvey was ruthless. Twenty-five league goals, Truro City surging to the National League South title and climbing into the fifth tier for the first time in the club’s history. He was the sharp edge of a remarkable rise from step seven to the National League.
Last season, that edge dulled.
Injuries stalked the 31-year-old striker and Truro’s campaign unravelled with him. Harvey managed just five goals in 25 appearances as the Cornish club slipped straight back down, relegated from the National League at the first attempt.
Askey is convinced that story changes if his forward stays on the pitch.
“Tyler, for the majority of the season last season wasn’t properly fit,” the Truro boss told BBC Radio Cornwall. “We’re just hoping that he can stay fit for all the season because he does make a difference to us.”
The opening day hinted at what that difference looks like. Harvey struck Truro’s first goal of the new National League South season last Saturday, setting them on their way to a 2-0 win over Maidenhead United. One chance, one finish, three points. A familiar pattern.
He has done this before at this level, and Askey knows it.
“He’s proven time and time again in this league that he can get goals which are going to be vital for us,” he said.
But the Truro manager is not just banking on Harvey as a poacher. He sees a player who knits the whole attack together, a forward whose influence stretches beyond the scoresheet.
“He’s got a good football brain,” Askey added, looking ahead to this Saturday’s trip to Chelmsford City. “Not only does he get goals, he creates chances for other people as well and when he’s on full form he makes a big difference to us.”
That “full form” is the puzzle. Truro’s staff know they have to handle him carefully after last year’s struggles. The plan now is to manage his workload, not run him into the ground.
“We just have to manage his injuries and hopefully he’ll play the majority of the games,” Askey said.
If they get that right, the striker who fired a title charge in 2024-25 might yet drive another promotion push from the front.
