Two Taunton Stalwarts To Leave

Two of Taunton Town’s Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South title-winning squad have decided to leave the Cygnet Health Care Stadium for pastures new.

Centre-half Ben Adelsbury and forward Dan Sullivan are moving on after each made major contributions to the Peacocks` success.

Centre-back Adelsbury, 30, was recruited by Taunton from Truro City in the summer of 2017.

After being on youth forms at both Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City, he joined Salisbury City for two and a half years in 2009.

He had a brief spell at Truro which was followed by nine months at Eastbourne Borough before returning to the West Country and signing for Bath City in June 2013 and then later re-joining Truro in February 2016.

He was voted joint winner of the players’ player award for 2017/18 and went on to make over 170 appearances for the Peacocks and scored 18 goals.

He told the club’s website: “To the fans I would like to say thank you to each and every one of you. What a season it has been! My time here has come to an end because of my own decision which is not footballing or money-related. The logistics of me living in Plymouth with a young family and having a professional job makes it extremely hard to do the travelling needed for the Vanarama National League South.

“I have had a fantastic five years here and leave with good relationships with the management team. I wish everyone at the club all the success in your next season. I believe I have made friendships at the club that will last for a long time and again, thank you for everything.”

Striker Sullivan, 27, caught the eye after impressing for a Tavistock side that knocked Taunton out the Emirates FA Cup in September 2017, and he soon moved to the Peacocks in 2017.

He came up through the youth ranks at Torquay United where he made several first-team appearances.

He moved on to Truro in January 2015 before dropping into the South West Peninsula League with firstly Bodmin Town and then Tavistock.

He was crowned Taunton`s supporters’ player of the year for 2017/18 and played 160 times for the Peacocks and netted 55 goals.

He said: “I just want to say a big thank you to everyone involved at the club. From the first day I signed I’ve enjoyed every moment and have some great memories. The fans, WOW, what can I say about them, the best in non-League. They’ve welcomed me from day one and numbers have grown every year. To the staff and players, a big thank you for letting me be a part of this amazing journey. It’s sad to be leaving but I wish you all the best of luck in the future, go set a name for yourselves in the National League South!”

Head of football Rob Dray paid tribute to them both: “Two great servants have left who started the journey towards the National League five years ago and who have been pivotal in everything we have done.

“Proper players and proper people. It’s totally understandable though, with the logistics of the extra travel. The squad will evolve again, as it has every season, but they will both remain a massive part of the history of this club”.

Taunton Town Web Site