Non-league clubs face mammoth 334-mile journey to league rival further away than Borussia Dortmund

Three non-league clubs face a truly mammoth journey next season with Truro City, Dover and Folkestone all in the National League South.

Truro were relegated from the National League this season, finishing rock bottom of the table.

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They had won promotion from the National League South last season and now, they face a 334-mile journey to play two of their opponents next year.

Dover and Folkestone are closer to Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park than they are to Truro.

It is a journey that spans the width of England and takes about six hours to drive.

Incredibly, it would take the same amount of time to get from Dover or Folkestone to Dortmund in Germany as well.

But that is a journey that Truro will have to do twice, and Dover and Folkestone will each have to undergo it as well.

It still isn’t as long as one of the journeys that Truro had to do this year, making the 444-mile trip to the North East of England to take on Gateshead.

When you look at the National League South map for next term, you can see that Torquay United is Truro’s closest game.

The majority of the other teams are in London, Essex and Kent, so they are going to have plenty of long journeys across the campaign.

Preparing for the new campaign

Despite relegation, Truro have retained the services of goalkeeper Aidan Stone, midfielder Lirak Hasani and forward Ben Starkie.

The rest of the squad are under contract until the end of next season, so if they are to leave, Truro are entitled to a transfer fee.

They are looking to get back into the National League at the first time of asking.

As much as this season wasn’t a success, it was the first time in their history that they had played at fifth-tier level.

But the club have released several players, including strikers Rekeil Pyke and Saikou Janneh and one midfielder in Harry Charsley.

Sam Sanders is also expected to depart after spending this year on loan with Worksop Town.