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THE JACK LESLIE CAMPAIGN

Devon Football Supporters Trusts Group & Jack Leslie Campaign

Rival supporters unite behind the campaign to build a statue of football legend Jack Leslie

The Jack Leslie Campaign is delighted to receive a substantial contribution today from Supporter Trusts of the three major professional clubs in Devon.

There is no doubt that rivalries between the county’s teams are always intense, but those feelings have been put aside in reaching a joint statement - backed by a donation - from the Supporter Trusts of Exeter City, Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle.

Fans of all three clubs agreed there is unity in the wish to fight racism and prejudice in football, and in the county.

This kicks off week 3 of an intense 6-week crowdfunding appeal, which has already attracted more than £70,000 in donations since its launch on July 1st.
Greg Foxsmith from the Jack Leslie Campaign said “We are delighted that support for Jack Leslie has united Trusts across Devon, with traditional rivalries put aside to back this campaign”

Nick Brodrick of the Torquay United Supporters Trust said "TUST is pleased to join with its trust colleagues at Exeter and Plymouth in supporting and promoting this important campaign to recognise the life and career of Jack Leslie."

Doug Gillard from Exeter City F.C. Supporters Trust said “we are proud to stand with our neighbours in support of the Jack Leslie Campaign, a truly great cause"

Virginia Pike from Plymouth Argyle Fans Trust said “The Argyle Fans’ Trust is proud to support a statue of Jack Leslie, and we thank the Trusts from Exeter and Torquay for standing with us on an issue that unites all fans”

The following statement was agreed between the trusts:

JOINT STATEMENT

The Devon Football Supporters Trust’s Group, Comprising of The Argyle Fan’s Trust, Exeter City Supporters Trust and Torquay United Supporters Trust, are proud to support the Jack Leslie Campaign.

Jack signed for Plymouth Argyle from Barking in 1921 and scored 137 goals in his 13 years with The Pilgrims. The pinnacle of his career should have been in 1925 when Jack was selected to represent England in a game versus Ireland, but his name was removed from the team sheet when officials discovered that he was black.

The Devon Football Supporters Trust Group believes in the spirit of community and collaboration. They will both collectively and individually challenge all forms of discrimination and hatred.

Further info on the campaign here https://jackleslie.co.uk/

Individual supporters of all clubs are invited to donate to the campaign here:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/jack-leslie-campaign

18th July 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

FOOTBALL AND THE YELLOW ARMY RETURNING TO PLAINMOOR? HOPES ARE RISING

As the weeks go by Gary Johnson’s anticipation of the return to pre-season training visibly increases as he is clearly relishing the opportunity to meet up with his players and support staff. I’m sure he’d rather be zooming down the M5 to Torquay (observing the speed limit, naturally) rather than the virtual version talking to everyone via a screen.

Likewise the Yellow Army are looking forward to the day we’ll be allowed to step inside Plainmoor. Well matters seem to be moving in the right direction. It’s encouraging to learn that various sporting bodies, including the Premier League, met last week with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to discuss plans for a digital health passport system which would allow fans back into stadiums. It is even hoped there could be a test event either later this month or in August, to establish whether a system using testing and antibody data could give fans a viable individual health passport to ensure they are not carrying the virus.

The likelihood is that the return of fans would be gradual and limited - one third of capacity has been mooted ( but is that ground capacity or seating capacity?) - but could start by the end of September and probably wearing masks to deter shouting and singing! Hopefully clapping would be allowed otherwise a match wouldn’t be a lot different from watching TV matches without the added crowd noise!

If all this goes to plan it suggests the National League season wouldn’t start until late September rather than the dates 5th or 12th which have been mentioned because the FA have confirmed no non-league fixtures are to be played behind closed doors.

There was better news for grass roots football when the Government allowed, from the weekend, the FA to set out a timetable for the return of amateur local competition including five-a side football.

Supporters, too, are to be allowed to attend community fixtures in small numbers; there are, of course, rules to follow but this is a step in the right direction.

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In his weekly ‘Inside Plainmoor’ Zoom chat Gary Johnson talked about his role as manager of the club, in bringing everyone - players, supporters, directors, press - together. He explained how much he enjoys working with players and his coaches, developing their careers: ‘’ You’ll enhance your career by playing for me.” His enthusiasm and love for the game is self-evident and as he says, “ It takes over your life.”

During the months of lockdown the Boss has continually underlined the influence of the Yellow Army on the team - “positive support is worth a goal a game” - as he stresses the importance of the manager having an affinity with supporters. Johnson states, “Our fans are top of the league” and jokes, “ the team needs to catch up!”

To this end he confirmed that three players are committed to joining with the possibility of news of these ‘pre-contracts’ being released soon. With three others expected he’ll be working with a squad of 18.

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Now what on earth could link the Gulls with Blyth Spartans, albeit a rather tenuous link? Blyth Spartans, who finished in the bottom two of National North, were founded by Fred Stoker, the club’s first secretary before forming a practice as a distinguished physician in London’s Harley Street. He thought it appropriate to name the club after the Greek Spartan Army, hoping the players would go into ‘battle’ when on the pitch.

And the link? Both the Gulls and Blyth Spartans were formed in 1899. The Gulls rebranded last season with the 1899 logo and merchandise while Blyth have the 1899 Club.

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A few stories have caught my eye recently: after being out of the game for some time as he recovered from bowel cancer, it was good to see that Angus MacDonald was back playing for Hull in the Championship since football resumed.

There we were thinking that the ‘new’ drinks breaks introduced in each half were for the benefit of the players and a team talk with the manager; they’re actually for ground staff to disinfect the goal posts and corner flags!

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When the EFL finally decided the outcome of the League 2 season confirming Stevenage’s relegation, this column wondered if there would be a twist. Might the relegated club be Macclesfield and miss out the National League altogether?

Well the EFL has appealed against the sanctions imposed on Macclesfield and surely the result of the adjudication on this must be heard soon. In the name of fairness, not to mention for planning ahead, which club will be playing non-league football next season?

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Last week’s question - who would you like to see join Barrow in the EFL from the Play-Offs? - continues, the first of which - Boreham Wood v FC Halifax - is this Friday. Send your team choice to: [email protected]

To all the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

25th July 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

MORE POSITIVE SIGNS FOR FOOTBALL’S RETURN

Last week’s column speculated that the new National League season might not start in mid September as many are hoping and following the Prime Minister’s announcement that, all being well, spectators could be allowed into stadiums from October it seemed correct. This would be after, as I mentioned a week ago, a number of trial events: The World Snooker Championship, the Glorious Goodwood horse racing festival and two county cricket matches have been selected while the FA have offered the Community Shield.

Almost 7,000 fans participated in the FSA/Non-League Paper survey with 77% planning to return to watching immediately the green light is given with 88% trusting their club to manage fans’ return safely. That’s a big boost for clubs desperate for income.

Further FA advice has also emerged in its phased return guidance: during July competitive training can begin with the overall group size limited to 30, including coaches. Then pre-season competitive matches can be played in August.

From September the National League system and the FA Cup can commence. This suggests that National League clubs will have to decide whether to start the season without spectators for the early games until October’s return of fans.

Let’s hope the National League board will set out a clear, agreeable road map in the coming weeks, for example with a reduced fixture list until crowds are allowed.

Meanwhile grass-roots footballers are even closer to re-starting providing there are no handshakes or spitting, regularly disinfected footballs and socially distanced spectating. Who would have guessed that this welcome move will have pleased the 102,000 grass -roots teams and the 1.4 million affiliated players across the country?

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One other decision that is needed concerns the number of subs to be allowed. When football returned the International Football Association Board (IFAB) introduced a new rule allowing teams five substitutes.

The IFAB has now announced that what was thought to be a temporary arrangement can now be continued into the new season and it will be up to each individual league whether to apply the rule. So a good idea to be used or not?

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Another entertaining Johnson & Mee ‘Inside Plainmoor’ show last week with the Boss confirming that he has five new players committed with one more likely and news of names being released is getting closer.

There is no doubting the manager’s target - and the club’s - which is to return to the EFL as Johnson says, “ I’m building a team to compete in League 2.” To this end he’s made an effort to bring in at least three very experienced lads. Johnson rightly argues that there is little difference between the top of the National League and the standard in League 2.

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Contributors to this column ‘voted’ Ben Whitfield as their Player of the Season so it was good to see this confirmed in the official process - congratulations to Ben and also to the Young Player, Ben Wynter.

Last year TUST promoted the inaugural Ian Twitchin Trophy awarded in memory of a highly regarded Gull to the player who played the most games in a season; the first winner being Liam Davis presented with his trophy in Boots & Laces. This year’s recipient is Kyle Cameron.

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In the last month BBC Breakfast highlighted the story of Jack Leslie, a black footballer who scored 137 goals in 13 seasons for Plymouth Argyle and who was denied an England cap because of his colour. TUST is one third of the Devon Supporters Trust Group and together with the trusts from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City have given their collective support to the campaign to raise funds - currently £75,000- for a statue to be erected in honour of Jack.

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Anybody looking forward to the World Cup 2022? Well maybe not everyone but for those wanting to plan ahead, there’ll be four group stage matches to watch daily at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm starting on November 21 with the final a week before Christmas Day.

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These are bizarre times, for confirmation just look at the new offers from two National League club shops. Notts County have the ultimate Party Pack for their play-off semi-final at home to Barnet on BT Sport- ‘to create a vibrant atmosphere in your living room’ - consisting of balloons, 3 metre bunting, 2 ‘Bang-Bang’ sticks, Draw-string bag, 2 bags of popcorn and a bottle opener!

Closer to home the Gulls’ club shop have an official TUFC black face covering. A reminder of the times we are living in to comply with Covid-19 protocols.

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Popular choices for which National League club to join Barrow in the EFL from the play-offs are Notts County from the list of ex-League teams and Boreham Wood who have never been there.

Boreham Wood are a stage nearer having seen off FC Halifax and with Yeovil falling at home to Barnet we know who will be our Boxing Day/ New Year’s Day local derbies.

You can still vote for the team you’d like to see promoted - Notts County currently- at: [email protected]

As always to the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

1st August 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

AN OCTOBER START FOR THE NEW SEASON BUT LEADERSHIP, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETITION ALL OVER THE PITCH

Well now we know, as the National League confirms that the 2020-21 season will not begin until Saturday October 3 and then with “significantly reduced capacity.” That decision will clearly affect the start of pre-season training but more importantly the survival of many non-league clubs.

With the likelihood of reduced capacities for the foreseeable future one has to ask the question: will a number of clubs go out of business? Not only will there be reduced income from gate receipts but add in the additional safety costs and for many this could be a financial step too far.

Even for those fans who are allowed into grounds the Sports Grounds Safety Authority has issued draft guidance - 84 pages - to authorities to draw up a Spectator Code of Conduct. In it supporters will be warned about taking care whilst shouting, singing and celebrating adding, “Remain in your seat or place at all times wherever possible.” There were pictures over the week-end of the Danish derby between Brondby and FC Copenhagen where fans had to sit four seats apart.

There are going to be many club owners and directors who will be having some serious decisions to make. These really are unprecedented times.

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To lighten the moment, for football fans all over there’s nothing like your club announcing a new signing, especially before the start of a new season, and Gary Johnson did his best to quicken our heart rates and whet our appetites for the 2020-21 campaign when he revealed not one capture but five!

First to be confirmed were Danny Wright, as many had guessed, and Andrew Nelson who was a total surprise. These two, then, are the strike force to hopefully propel the Gulls to the promised land.

Reading back over the Boss’s comments on ‘Inside Plainmoor’ I think he’s been toying with us, giving clues along the way. At the beginning of the month he referred to replacing Jamie Reid with ‘strikers’ and emphasising the midfield players - he then named - to provide the ammunition as well as being goal-scorers themselves. So with two ‘up top’ - a different attacking style?

On Monday not only were two experienced centre-halves - Gary Warren and Fraser Kerr - confirmed but, also, the manager underlined their leadership qualities. At six feet plus these two will add height at the back and at set pieces.

With an attacking mid-fielder the last part of the new jigsaw due to be named yesterday there’s going to be, as Johnson says, “competition all over the pitch.”

All credit to Clarke Osborne for backing the manager with a full squad before a ball’s been kicked.

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So what’s happening in the National League? The Board are this week discussing, as are the EFL, the possibility of introducing a salary cap following Covid-19 “shining a stark light on the financial turmoil in football.” We know that on Sunday at Wembley it’s either Notts County, looking for a swift return, or Harrogate Town, looking to join for the first time ever, fighting over the coveted one EFL place.

For the teams that didn’t make it through the play-offs will there be a dip in form not to mention a financial burden? Rumours that Barnet manager, Darren Currie, is favourite for the Southend job while FC Halifax have already released five with two on the transfer list and Stockport County, who were jumped by Barnet for the last play-off place, have been busy in the transfer market with some interesting signings including Barrow’s goal-scoring striker, John Rooney; maybe an early bookmakers’ tip for promotion?

Chesterfield are expecting to complete the transfer of the ownership of the club to the Chesterfield FC Community Trust by the weekend.

And ex-Gull, Nathan Blissett will be leading Maidenhead’s front line in the coming season. Now there’s one place left in the National League system with either one team less in either the North or South divisions. Bury, who went out of the EFL last season, are waiting to find out this week if they’ll be allowed to take that vacancy as the National League & FA decide, meanwhile a phoenix club, Bury AFC, will play in the North-West Counties League Division 1 North.

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Who’s joining the National League? Wealdstone as South Champions and King’s Lynn from the North with either Weymouth or Dartford from the South or North’s Altrincham or Boston.

Let’s take a look at a team the Gulls have never played - King’s Lynn. The original club, known as King’s Lynn FC, was liquidated in 2009 but returned the following year as King’s Lynn Town FC, starting again in the United Counties League. In 2012 they were promoted to the Northern Premier Division 1 and went up again the following season into the Premier Division. By the end of season 2018-19 The Linnets were promoted into the National North and now they start their new campaign in the National League, one step away from the EFL; not bad for a club that’s only been in existence for 10 years.

The Yellow Army’s visit to The Walks promises not only a new ground to see but also a formidable one too - their promotions were helped by a home form when they went from September 2018 until February 2020 before being beaten. Manager, Ian Culverhouse, ex-Norwich star, was National North Manager of the Season. The west end of The Walks was originally called the ‘seven sisters’ end due to the seven lime trees - now felled - and since 2016 is the ‘Mick Wright End’ named after the former player who made an astonishing 1,152 appearances!

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King’s Lynn also appear in the Top Ten of weird reasons for match postponements. They had to postpone their Eastern Counties League match at home to Gorleston in October 1937 due to a “noxious stench lingering in the air” as the Norfolk Press reported after a group of local farmers had been over-zealous in their muck spreading!

Now as it happens Torquay United also figure in the Top Ten with the Bonnie Tyler themed, “Total Eclipse …. of the Game”. The Gulls were due to host Portsmouth on August 11 1999 in the League Cup but Devon Police, expecting a large number of visiting supporters, had the match delayed by a week all because of the solar eclipse which was probably a better view as the 1st Leg game when played was 0-0.

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We, at TUST, are sorry to learn that Peter Jones, chairman of the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust is stepping down from his role and position on the football board next month. Peter has been a very helpful ally, always available with wise words and advice.

You can contact me at: [email protected]. To all the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

8th August 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express
DOUBTS OVER FOOTBALL’S RETURN - CAN NON-LEAGUE CLUBS AFFORD TO MAKE STADIUMS SAFE?

There we were just a week ago getting a little bit excited at the prospect of National League football returning, albeit not until October but then hopes were dashed with the news that the R number had risen so that the return to football could be delayed further.

With the pilots for spectators at snooker, horse racing and cricket knocked on the head will this impact on the National League season?

The NL board are set to hold an online meeting tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss the return to football. Prior to this Government sources had quoted figures of 20% - 40% of crowds being allowed back. But to achieve this is no easy matter and at a considerable financial cost to each club. Take for example Surrey welcoming crowds back to The Kia Oval last weekend. With only 2,500 fans, in a stadium built for 25,000, being allowed in as part of the then Government trial, Surrey spent £50,000 to get the ground Covid ready. All the seats had to be disinfected, thermal-imagining cameras installed, similar to those at airports, for spectators on arrival and hand sanitising stations throughout the ground. If this is what it takes for clubs to be allowed to admit spectators then non-league clubs are going to struggle to cope. We are told that Plainmoor is being prepared for all these protocols to be in place so all credit to those responsible for working hard on this.

And what about teams going to away fixtures? The capacity of a team coach in Covid times is 15 as opposed to the normal 50. At present county cricketers playing at an away venue are required to drive - one per car - to the ground on the morning of a match. What on earth would the Gulls do to get to Hartlepool?

This column last week wondered if any National League clubs could go out of business. Well on Monday came news of the first possible casualty with the Dover Athletic chairman announcing that with no further investment by the end of August the club will be liquidated.

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What’s happening in the National League? As football clubs prepare for the resumption of football, whenever that might be, with so many Covid-19 regulations before spectators are allowed to return it’s no surprise that, last week, Woking appointed a Covid-19 officer to take charge as all clubs are required to do and in addition publish an Action Plan for supporters.

More NL clubs are releasing players to trim their playing squads - seven left Dagenham & Redbridge including assistant manager Terry Harris while Bromley also let seven go as well as first team goalkeeping coach Jim Stannard. In the light of Dover’s financial crisis all their playing squad are available on free transfers. Hartlepool, meanwhile, signed five last Saturday.

The National League South Team of the Year features four from Champions Wealdstone which includes ex-Gull Michee Efete, who joined United on loan from Norwich for the 2017-18 season, while another ex-Gull, Dartford’s Elliott Romain also makes the team.

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In a normal year the Yellow Army would be preparing to go to a series of pre-season friendlies but these are different times. Never-the-less it may be worth recalling that on August 1 1997 Coventry City led by Gordon Strachan and a squad including keeper Steve Ogrizovic, Dion Dublin, Liam Daish and Gary McAllister came to Plainmoor for John Uzzell’s Testimonial. Uzzell played 92 games for United between 1989 and 1992 before his career was ended by Brentford’s Gary Blissett with an horrific facial injury. Coventry won 4-1.

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Who’s joining the National League Part Two? Altrincham from the North but from the South joining champions Wealdstone are Weymouth, following their 3-0 win on penalties over Dartford. Weymouth, founded in 1890, have a chequered history surviving almost going into administration in 2009 and then liquidation the year after. Nicknamed ‘The Terras’ due to their terracotta strip.

Over the years they’ve had a succession of well known managers including Steve Claridge who was succeeded by a certain Paul Buckle (with two others) who, in turn, was followed by the late Steve Johnson, Gary Johnson’s brother. Steve, who had managed Latvia’s Under-18 side, took charge from 2004 until 2005. Other Weymouth managers have included Garry Hill, John Hollins ex-Chelsea, Bobby Gould, Jerry Gill (now at Bath City) and Martyn Rogers. Current boss since 2017 is Mark Molesley, whose playing career included Bournemouth, Plymouth and Exeter City.

United last played Weymouth in the 2008-2009 Blue Square Premier winning 1-0 at the Bob Lucas stadium on Boxing Day in 2008 in front of 2323. The return fixture at Plainmoor, in February 2009 with 1743 in attendance, saw United beaten 2-0 but despite that victory Weymouth were relegated while United returned to the EFL.

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Understandably, although many clubs are desperate for funds, they are reluctant to announce season ticket sales for the 2020-21until it is known when and how many spectators can be admitted. For some teams it may be that the only fans allowed into a ground will be season ticket holders, no away fans and no casual walk-ups - in United’s case holiday makers.

Hungerford Town have set up a deal with a ticketing company so tickets are pre-paid which allows them to hold data for those attending in case test and trace is needed.

How many Yellow Army fans are exiles and travel hundreds of miles to home games? I used to be one doing an almost 400 miles round trip from Berkshire - now it’s only 130 from West Somerset - but arguably our Number One fan - Paul Bastard - has his Manchester base from which to drive. The Yellow Army consists of real football supporters.

On the subject of season tickets Bromley ST holders have donated £7,122.33 back to the club in refunds from the 2019-20 season. How much have Gulls’ ST holders given?

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The 2019-20 National League season began on August 3 2019 and on Sunday it was concluded with the shock defeat of Notts County in the play-off final at Wembley. Congratulations to Harrogate Town on their conclusive 3-1 win to book their EFL place for the first time in their history.

Tell me your thoughts about returning to Plainmoor at: [email protected]

In the meantime to all the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

8th August 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

SALARY CAPS, SEASON TICKETS, REGIONAL FOOTBALL -
MORE DISCUSSION TOPICS

Another busy week of football news but still related to off-field matters, although a number of pre-season friendlies were played last Saturday. All National League clubs met with the league board via Zoom last Thursday to discuss various issues and from it we learn that the 2020-21 fixture list will be released on September 8.

The NL also confirmed the four stages for the return to football: first, return to no contact training, then return to close contact training, third, return to competition (pre-season) but no spectators - United have lined up friendlies, the first on September 5, with Exeter City, Hemel Hempstead, Bournemouth U-23, Bath City and Chippenham - and lastly, return to competition with the safe return of spectators, hopefully from October 3.

There had been some speculation recently that the ‘missing’ place in either National North or South might be filled by Bury FC but this was knocked on the head as the FA confirmed this was not possible this year but did not rule out Bury applying for a place for season 2021-22.

The National League will be finalising the make-up of the three divisions this week after the FA’s appeals panel, who met yesterday (Tuesday), decide whether Macclesfield will be deducted further points which could mean Stevenage escaping relegation. It has, though, been agreed that the National League will run with a full complement of 24 teams, National North will have 22 but South 21.

One issue which wasn’t discussed at the NL board meeting was about salary caps. Last week Leagues 1 & 2 agreed to introduce a salary cap from this season - League 1 at £2.5 million and £1.5 for League 2 - however the Professional Footballers’ Association are fighting this claiming it’s unenforceable. So that’s another story to run for a while.

But should the National League have a salary cap too? A figure of £900,000 has been suggested and if this were to be implemented just how much is Clarke Osborne pumping into running United and could this affect Gary Johnson’s plans?

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Unfortunately too late for last week’s column was the club’s announcements on my regular topic of season tickets. It would seem that a limited number of the Yellow Army season ticket holders have been contacted by the club and have donated their remainder of last season’s to the club, which TUST recommended to our members. However, whilst a ST holder myself for almost 30 years I’m still awaiting contact as are many others. The club needs to fully explain its refund policy.

Although last week’s National League board meeting with the clubs recommended that season tickets should not be put on sale yet, United had already gone ahead with a number of interesting initiatives for renewing so full credit to the club for their acknowledgement of the importance of the Yellow Army. For those of us who have ‘bought’ into this let’s hope we can actually watch inside Plainmoor. We should, though, remember that there will be many who, for various reasons, will be reluctant to renew. The club needs very soon to spell out how they will manage the Yellow Army’s return to Plainmoor.

And should at some time during the season there be reasons for spectators being excluded, the club will endeavour to stream the matches.

Wrexham, have taken a different view and will be selling two blocks of 10 matches at a time and finally three to make up the total of 23 home games. They reckon that although The Racecourse Ground can hold 10,771 they’ll only be allowed 2,600 - and their average attendance last season was around 4,000.

Meanwhile Hartlepool have already sold 1000 with another 500 available and with the Victoria Park’s capacity being 7865, the club feel they’ll be limited to only 2000.

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With Droylsden going out of business last week and Dover on the brink, these Covid times have triggered an on-going debate about regionalised football being re-introduced. It’s a topic which divides opinion.

Maybe cricket has shown a way forward? With the traditional County Championship impossible to run - 18 counties split into two divisions - the English Cricket Board has come up with an alternative which has just started, known as the Bob Willis Trophy, the counties are divided equally into three geographical regions. And it’s been a great success - less travelling, less expenditure on hotel stays and more local derbies.

The longer it goes with no football and with no spectators there is every likelihood of more clubs falling by the wayside so a proper discussion on regional football for League 2 and the National League is surely worth holding.

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Who’s joining the National League Part Three? Founded in 1891 by a Sunday School, Altrincham were founder members of the Manchester League in 1893 - not having a great start, losing their opening game 7-0 and finishing their inaugural season bottom. In 1980 they were nearly voted into the Football League as the top non-league club having won the Alliance Premier - equivalent to the National League now - getting 25 votes but Rochdale kept their place in the FL with 26 votes.

Alty then went through a yo-yo existence: 2004-05 promoted to the Conference National, relegated to the Conference North in 2011, returned to Conference National in 2014 but two years later the club was back in the North but since then there’s been two promotions in the last three years under manager Phil Parkinson, a sports science lecturer and The Robins join the National League as a part-time outfit.

The Gulls have played Altrincham in a total of eight league matches winning four, drawing three with only one defeat. Last two matches between the clubs a 1-1 draw at Moss Lane in October 2015 with a 2-0 home win at Plainmoor in April 2016.

Altrincham do hold an FA Cup record for a non-league team, knocking out more EFL clubs than any other non-league sides - 17.

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United boss Gary Johnson is keen for the National League to adopt the five substitutes rule that was introduced when the Premier League re-started and although individual leagues are able to agree or not about this, the Premier League clubs last week voted against the idea with the ‘smaller’ clubs feeling it hands an unfair advantage to the wealthier teams with bigger squads.

The meeting also decided against having match day squads of 20 keeping the number at 18. It will be interesting to see what the National League decides.

One law change for the coming season affects all teams as penalties will no longer be automatically retaken if the goalkeeper infringes in the build-up to a spot kick. A keeper’s offence must “clearly affect” the penalty taker for a spot-kick to be retaken if missed.

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Last week’s column listed an impressive list of previous managers at Weymouth but oh dear one significant name was left out! So many thanks to Malcolm Richards to point out my omission - Frank O’Farrell, now 92 and living locally, who managed Weymouth from 1961-65.

You can contact me at: [email protected]

To all the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

LET US BACK - PRESSURE IS BUILDING FOR SPECTATORS TO RETURN TO STADIUMS

This week - an extended piece including additional thoughts from Nick that the Herald Express didn't cover!

Although there were further pre-season friendlies played last Saturday, frustration is beginning to boil amongst non-league clubs as another week goes by without spectators being admitted with crucially no income. The Government’s original plan to hold pilot events, prior to hopefully giving the green light for stadiums opening for fans, was curtailed at the 11th hour a fortnight ago but now has been re-started as spectators were admitted to the World Snooker Final with other trial events expected to follow, including cricket at The Kia Oval and Edgbaston.

However this is not soon enough for thousands who follow non-league as over the weekend football starved fans launched the #LetFansIn campaign with a legal challenge to the guidance provided from the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport department and the FA. Led by the Dorking Wanderers owner, Marc White, non-league fans are questioning why it’s acceptable for people to gather together at pubs and restaurants and for thousands to go to the beach when small crowds at football are not allowed.

White feels that the FA have failed to put the case of non-league football clubs properly to the DCM&S as he says with the correct Covid-19 protocols in place, “Clubs at Steps 5 & 6 with X capacity should be allowed to have Y people at a game.” He continued, “The FA haven’t done their job properly and demonstrated to DCM&S the various grades and levels of football and what type of attendances they have.”

The German Bundesliga last week extended the ban of spectators to the end of October. It’s clearly no easy matter preparing stadiums for the return of spectators as there are numerous challenges and obstacles unique to every ground, Plainmoor being no exception. The latest Government announcement is confirmation that fans will be allowed to return to stadiums next month but spectators will be made to sign up to a new code of behaviour.

Detailed mapping exercises are being drawn up at every stadium in the country to calculate how many supporters may be permitted. One of the biggest concerns is around how fans will enter and leave, then once inside after undergoing temperature checks we’ll be asked to wear face coverings whilst adhering to a one way system. All credit to those at Plainmoor who are working to put in place these detailed protocols.

To give readers an idea of what it takes to put on a professional match, last Friday Harlequins hosted the first Premiership Rugby match at the Twickenham Stoop ground which was divided into red, amber and green zones. The usual changing rooms were not large enough to allow social distancing so the two teams had to use re-configured rooms normally used as bars; just how will the two sets of players manage for changing space at Plainmoor?

There were also restrictions on the number of media - written journalists, photographers and radio broadcasters. All media had to wear face masks with post match interviews being carried out by Zoom.

Let’s hope there are no further setbacks and that we can plan for National League matches resuming on October 3 with a degree of excitement and confidence.

*****************

What’s happening in the National League? Some week’s ago this column speculated that it would be Macclesfield dropping out of the EFL and not Stevenage and after last week’s Independent Arbitration panel’s decision to uphold the EFL’s appeal, it is indeed Macclesfield relegated. Poetic justice some might say for Stevenage after what happened in 1996. But will the National League admit them? Following what happened to Boston in 2007 there could be more dramas to come.

It must, then, be a nightmare for the fixture compiler for the National League. Plan for Macclesfield or not? And what about Dover - in or out? A league of what should be 24 teams down to 23 (or maybe even fewer) or let Ebbsfleet be re-instated? Over the weekend Dover announced a string of pre-season friendlies for September and although down to only 12 players they look as if they’re believing the club can continue.

Elsewhere newly promoted Weymouth, after manager Mark Molesley was tempted to Southend, and Barnet, where manager Darren Currie left after a cost cutting exercise, are looking for new managers. Barnet have cut their playing budget by 50% as their income has not only suffered from no fans attending ,as well as their entertainment facilities unopened, but also the loss of their main sponsor.

Meanwhile, good news continues to flow from The Gulls with the re-vamp of the Youth Development Programme after it launched last Monday with over 100 children of different ages involved. Manager Gary Johnson hailed it a “first day success.”

All United fans will be hoping, over time, this will produce first team players and eventually lucrative transfer fees!

It looks, though, as if United will have to alter their pre-season friendly with Exeter City after The Grecians found out the date, September 5, is now when they have to play their Carabao Cup match.

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Who’s joining the National League Part 4? National South Champions Wealdstone who step up are another team to join the ‘1899 Club’ as The Stones were founded in this year too. The club have had a variety of homes, starting in Wealdstone but over the years have played in Harrow, ground sharing Vicarage Road with Watford before settling, in 2008, at the Grosvenor Vale ground in Ruislip.

Also known as The Royals the club have several claims to fame: in 1929 they were involved in a record FA Cup score which has never been repeated - a 7-7 draw with Dulwich Hamlet in a Fourth Qualifying Round match; they lost the replay 2-1. Their Athenian League fixture against Barnet was the first ever televised match by the BBC in October 1946. Wealdstone then appeared on TV again in 1949-50 when the BBC showed live their FA Cup match. And in the 1984-85 season they were the first non-league club to do the ‘double’, winning the Alliance League (equivalent of the National League) and the FA Trophy.

Notable former players include Vinnie Jones, Jermaine Beckford and Stuart Pearce. Current manager is Dean Brennan previously the boss at Hemel Hempstead, Billericay and briefly Kingstonian.

The Gulls have played Wealdstone in only two league fixtures, in National South, winning 3-0 away in October 2018 and 3-2 at Plainmoor in March 2019. There was one previous meeting, a pre-season friendly, United going down 3-1 in 1976.

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The FA have announced that for the 2020-21 season there will be no FA Cup replays, all matches have to be settled on the day. The Extra-Preliminary Round starts on September 1 and the draw for this and the Preliminary Round took place yesterday (Tuesday). And for this season all prize monies have been halved so if United win the Final next year they’ll only get £1.8 million!

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All Yellow Army fans were delighted to get official confirmation late last week that Connor Lemonheigh-Evans is indeed the promised mystery 5th signing of the summer but were surprised an ‘undisclosed fee’ was included prompting questions about when did United last pay a fee.

My research takes me to July 2012 when Billy Bodin signed from Swindon Town for a reported £70,000. It was the same season we said goodbye to ‘keeper Bobby Olejnik who went to Peterborough for £338,000 and Mark Ellis to Crewe for £45,000.

Sad news on Monday with the passing of ex-Gull Alan Welsh at the young age of 73. He was signed from Millwall by Frank O’Farrell in November 1967 and played 27 League & Cup games scoring 8 times in his first season. He was a great addition to the squad and when sold to Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 1972 had played 161 League & Cup games scoring 50 goals. Our condolences to his family; I’m sure there’ll be many in the Yellow Army who have fond memories of watching him play.

As always you can contact me at: [email protected]

To the Yellow Army stay safe and start counting down those days to football.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

August 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

FAN POWER - AT LAST SPECTATORS BACK IN STADIUMS IN LOWER LEAGUES. NOW IT’S THE TURN FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUES


With United manager Gary Johnson voicing his view that the National League should be following, and be part of, the EFL, the National League board have a number of important decisions to make in order to be in line.

One was a topic this column raised two weeks ago being the need to introduce a salary cap with a suggested figure of £900,000. To give as an example of National League clubs’ spending, new Barnet manager, Peter Beadle (ex- Newport County & Hereford boss) has a playing budget in excess of £800,000.

The arrival of Connor Lemonheigh-Evans took the Gulls’ squad to 20 and with the prospect of a few loan players joining as and when, Johnson, along with other National League sides will have noted that the EFL for Leagues 1 & 2 have agreed to limit squads to 22 registered players. This figure for League 2 will be reduced to 20 from season 2021-22. The limits do not apply to cup competitions or include Under-21s unless they were signed on loan.

In a recent Fans’ Zone I made mention of the need for the football authorities to come up with a plan of how to resolve a season being ended prematurely at some point in the future. And the EFL board has been debating this along the lines that for a campaign not to be declared null and void, between two-thirds and three-quarters of matches would need to be played - as was the case for last season. Also recommended will be the retention of the points-per-game model as was used to settle the final standings for season 2019-20.

The latest EFL initiative is a ground breaking deal with Sky Sports to live stream every Championship, League 1 & 2 match free for season ticket holders; could BT Sport follow to do likewise for the National League?

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The #LetFansIn campaign trending on social media last week gathered pace with over 10,000 signing the petition leading to 30 MPs writing to the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport department calling for non-league clubs to allow spectators back. And it worked! Over the weekend clubs at Steps 3-6 saw fans through the turnstiles for the first time since early March bringing in much needed revenue. There are inevitably restrictions with initially only 15% of an FA determined minimum capacity allowed in August, for example at Step 3 this being 300 but then in September rising to 30%, meaning 600.

Devon football starved fans have shown how much they want to see a game by snapping up, in just over an hour on Saturday, the 300 tickets put on sale for last night’s pre-season friendly at Ladysmead for Tiverton Town against Exeter City.

So the pressure is building for the green light to be given to the three National League divisions, which are designated as ‘elite sport’ and so under a different set of rules, to allow the return of crowds.

To this end the National League board and the FA met, via Zoom, with all National League clubs last week to see how fans can be admitted into stadiums. Then on Friday a cross-party of MPs wrote another letter to the Sports Minister to add weight to the plea for National League clubs to open their gates. In addition TUST supports the FSAs ‘Sustain The Game’ campaign.

So expect some positive news this week - could a limited number (Gulls’ season ticket holders) be admitted into United’s pre-season friendlies starting next month?

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With Gary Johnson and his assistant Aaron Downes over-excited as pre-season training has started this week, it is just as likely that the Yellow Army is too. This feeling was reinforced with the arrival of my season ticket on Saturday. Interestingly on my card confirming my stand, row and seat number is now the turnstiles to be used for entrance - a sign of the new protocols.

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To finish with a smile, in 2013 playing against Notts County, goal scorers for the opposition that day were Peter Hartley and James Poole playing for …. yes, that’s right, Hartlepool!

As always you can contact me at: [email protected]

To the Yellow Army - start counting down those days to football.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

2nd September 2020

AUGUST NEWSLETTER

Chairman's Comments

Firstly, I would like to say that I hope that all of the Torquay United community have stayed safe and well, both physically and mentally, whilst maintaining a level of financial sustainability during this difficult and lengthy unprecedented period.

Your TUST board have kept as busy as we are able behind the scenes in endeavouring to stay up to date with events so as to maintain our readiness to support Torquay United FC in any way needed. You can follow these activities through our monthly postings of our board meeting minutes and the many bulletins on our social media sites. Furthermore, you can read football news, especially that involving Torquay United in Nick Brodrick’s Fans’ Zone column every week in the Herald Express and subsequently on all three Torquay fans’ forums.

TUST wrote recently to the club’s directors via Dom Mee, as he represents the club as the Supporter Liaison Co-ordinator. Following this, we have had a productive and lengthy virtual meeting with Dom on behalf of the directors in response, sharing views on how we can all help TUFC with the resumption of football, which will be clearly challenging for all involved at this time. We took the opportunity to raise some of the concerns that fans had expressed regarding the early termination of last term’s season tickets and the communication of details about new season tickets. We aim to move forwards in working together for the good of our club. More details of this are summarised for your information below.

As well, TUST continues to liaise with the Torquay United Community Sports Trust and wholeheartedly supports the ongoing excellent work their team are doing on behalf of TUFC in outreaching to the local community, schools and youngsters. We look forward to maintaining this co-operation and support with TUFC related initiatives. We are also planning to meet again with the Official Supporters’ Club soon to establish where we can work together and avoid any duplication of roles. We are all Torquay United supporters after all.

Nationally, TUST liaison continues regularly with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) who are working closely with our politicians, through the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Secretary and committee, as well as liaising with the FA, Premier League, Football League and non-league clubs. We receive updates on a weekly basis and TUST is also an active member of the FSA-organised National Game Network and the Devon Supporters’ Trust Group. TUST has added its name to the overwhelming number of football club organisations in supporting the FSA's 'Sustain the Game' campaign, which is also being backed by an increasing number of cross-party MPs – see details below.

Finally, the best thing is the looking forward to the chance of returning to live football again, as I am sure are all football supporters around the country. Hopefully, we will eventually see you all at Plainmoor ready to go!

Best wishes,
Michel Thomas - COYY!

Meeting with TUFC representative

As the Chairman has mentioned in his introduction, a group of TUST board members had a positive two and a half hour Zoom meeting with Dominic Mee, TUFC Media and Supporter Liaison Co-ordinator.

Dom opened the meeting by stating that the club’s directors look to work positively together with all parties for the benefit of the club. TUST welcomed this and said it was always its wish to do so and to contribute to the club’s growth and success, even if this meant offering constructive criticism on occasions.

The continuing impact of the Covid crisis on short term plans for the season starting and other initiatives was noted and accepted by all. With this in mind the following points were covered;
TUST to help the Club by circulating official announcements via its communication with members and social media (and independently via NB’s column in the Herald Express where appropriate).
The Club would not consider the re-introduction of Matchday Ambassadors for the foreseeable future due to Covid-19. We propose to discuss this further with the Club as we feel that Ambassadors could make a valuable contribution when fans return to Plainmoor during these unprecedented circumstances.
There was recognition that both parties shared the same objective of promoting awareness of the club in the business community and generating support from it. Ways of working together towards this goal and how our roles may complement each other would be considered in due course.
TUST and Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST) were keen to re-launch the successful pre-match Fan Zones, although this is not practical in the short term due to Covid-19 restrictions.
TUST explained how together with TUCST it had facilitated Community Hubs, taking the TUFC message to various locations and communities to promote interest in and support for the Club.
TUST to provide details of its disabled facilities information and ideas for projects it could support.
The Club were informed of the support and sponsorship that TUST had given to TUCST and to the Torquay United Women's Football Club.
The Senior Gulls, which is open to all supporters, has made a good start and is co-ordinated by TUCST in alliance with TUST and with support from the club.
It was suggested that TUST and TUCST could assist the club with expansion of the newly formed Torquay United Former Players' Association.
The Club would be happy to help TUST in facilitating a presentation event in Boots & Laces for the Ian Twitchin Trophy once current restrictions are lifted.
TUST fed back some thoughts on the curtailed season tickets. Its experience was that most ST holders were happy to forgo any potential refund for missed games, a position actively encouraged by TUST.
In conclusion, all present agreed that it had been a positive, forward-looking meeting. It was proposed to hold regular meetings in future.


Summary of board meeting held on 17th August.

The new season

Limited attendances will be permitted and the Club had already made arrangements to sell season tickets to existing ST holders. The National League management had subsequently issued guidance advising against the sale of season tickets but this had resulted in confusion and frustration among its member clubs. TUFC’s own plans for selling tickets to other supporters had not been publicised at the time of this meeting.

Nick Brodrick drew attention to the new ‘Let Fans In’ campaign aimed at persuading the government to allow attendance at grassroots matches.

The Chairman highlighted the success of the recent Jack Leslie Campaign in reaching its target for funding a statue at Home Park in his memory.

Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST)

Members of the TUST board had met with Jamie McInnes, manager of TUCST, the previous week for an update.

With some relaxation of the lockdown restrictions, TUCST was very busy running sessions for children of all ages.

It had been suggested during the meeting that, if the Official Supporters Club gets off the ground, it may be appropriate for it to take on the organisation of the TQ1 Club (for juniors). This led to some discussion about the respective roles of TUST, TUOSC and TUCST and how the organisations could work together to complement each other and benefit the Club. A meeting of the three parties was proposed.

JM had also updated on the plans for the Women’s Football Club. The club had been successful in building a new squad and would be playing in the same league as last season’s results had been expunged.

Policy for donations

TUST has a commitment to allocate up to 50% of its net surplus to community or football related causes. For the current year this stands at approximately £2,700, subject to confirmation of the final accounts.

There was a wide-ranging debate about possible uses for these funds from local welfare charities such as those addressing mental health and domestic abuse, to those with a football focus such as disability facilities at Plainmoor or TUCST. It was agreed to give this further consideration in due course so that a recommendation can be made to the AGM.


Sustain The Game!

Supporters’ groups from across the country have joined forces with politicians and pundits to launch “Sustain The Game!” – a new campaign which calls for urgent action from the authorities to protect the existence of clubs throughout the game.

TUST has added its support to this FSA co-ordinated campaign, the principles of which are;
Protect our clubs – football clubs are community assets and an important expression of individual and local identity, they deserve legal protection and urgent support to secure their future;
Transparency – everyone has a right to know who owns their club, and how clubs and the authorities operate. Owners are custodians of clubs on behalf of all of us;
Financial controls – fans want rules with real teeth which are independently enforced, clubs and leagues can’t be left to regulate themselves;
Strengthen the pyramid – football as a whole is wealthy, but we need a smarter and fairer use of the money in the game to encourage sustainability;
Supporter engagement – fans are the lifeblood of the game, they need a voice in their clubs and on all issues that affect them and their communities.


SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

5th September 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

START OF A NEW WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CLUB AS CROWDS RETURN IN NUMBERS FOR PILOT EVENTS

This column can exclusively reveal that last month TUST officials, Chairman Michel Thomas, Secretary Rick Williams and myself as Supporter Liaison Officer, met, via Zoom, with Dominic Mee, United’s Media & Supporter Liaison Officer, acting on behalf of the club’s directors, to re- establish a positive working relationship between the club and TUST.

We learnt that the club’s directors are keen to draw a line in the sand and look forward to all parties working together for the benefit of the club. A number of topics were mentioned covering communications as well as the role TUST can play in promoting the club in the business and wider community and these will be discussed further as and when other regular meetings are held. The opportunity was also taken to draw the club’s attention to some of the recent concerns that TUST members had raised.

Michel Thomas said, “ We welcome the opportunity to work with the club and contribute to its continuing growth and success.”

This is a really positive step forward, in these challenging Covid-19 times, for TUST to support the club in its journey back to the Football League.

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Within the last fortnight a new campaign ‘Sustain The Game!’ was launched by the Football Supporters Association (FSA) and is very much supported by TUST. Supporters’ groups from across the country have joined forces with politicians and pundits calling for urgent action from the Government and all football authorities to protect the existence of clubs throughout the game at all levels.

For many clubs with still no football and crucially no income from fans paying through the turnstiles, the financial repercussions of the lockdown threaten, in particular, a host of non-league clubs, in addition to a number in the EFL. Sutton United, as a result of lockdown, estimate they lost £200,000 income from not being able to hire out their hospitality suites, bars and 3G pitch.

The FSA, which is coordinating the campaign, says that while the current pandemic has brought many issues to an immediate head, these are long standing finance and governance matters which need to be addressed urgently.

'Sustain The Game!’ is backed by fans’ organisations from almost all of the 92 Premier League and EFL clubs along with non-league and the women’s game.

The campaign is built around five key principles, through protecting clubs as community assets; transparency - everyone has a right to know who owns their club as owners are custodians on behalf of all of us; financial controls; strengthening the pyramid with a fairer use of money divided from top to bottom and lastly, supporter engagement as fans are the lifeblood of the game so need a voice in their clubs on issues that affect them and their local communities, making the club’s new relationship with TUST timely.

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As each week goes by the Yellow Army anxiously awaits the day to be allowed back into Plainmoor. So it was heartening to view footage of the highlights of the first week’s training, interviews with some of the new players and that Gary Johnson actually sees the benefits in having only five players in a bubble, having for example all the strikers in one group; an idea for pre-seasons in the future.

It’s also encouraging that there are more pilot events for spectators to watch matches during September including Harlequins v Bath rugby, horse racing at Doncaster, Warwick and Newmarket, with cricket at the Kia Oval then at the end of the month the biggest attendance - 10,000 - at Wembley for the FA Vase and FA Trophy finals.

Now the Government has introduced a new Sport Tech Innovation Group which will consider how technology could boost crowds beyond 30%, probably at Premier League level at first.

Meanwhile football starved local fans may well have been to watch FA Cup action last night at either Newton Abbot Spurs or Buckland Athletic.

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Sport throws up an intriguing myriad of personalities and in football there are many but none more so than Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentinian, known as ‘El Loco’, who has taken Leeds United back into the Premier League after a 16 year absence.

No living the highlife in a gated mansion with smart cars as one believes Premier League managers must do for Bielsa for he lives in a rented one bedroom flat above a newsagents and walks to and from work. Then during matches he doesn’t sit in the Elland Road dugout, he sits on …. an upturned blue bucket!

You can contact me at: [email protected]

To the Yellow Army the countdown to football returning continues - stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

8th September 2020

FAREWELL JAMIE

The TUST board were very sorry to learn this week of the imminent departure of Jamie McInnes as Community Manager of the Torquay United Community Sports Trust. Over the past couple of years we have developed a tremendous partnership with TUCST through initiatives such as the pre-match Fan Zones and popular Senior Gulls sessions. The success of these and other events has been largely due to the commitment and passion shown by Jamie.

He has given much time to the local community on behalf of our club, with much enthusiasm, innovation and insight in helping develop TUCST to where it is today. This outreach has been wide ranging and inclusive of differing ages from seniors to young children. His contribution was highlighted by the sterling community support he and his team have offered during the last few difficult months.

The TUST board have very much enjoyed working with Jamie and the TUCST on the TUFC related initiatives we have launched together as well as in planning the way forward to build on these. It has been a great co-operative working relationship which we hope has sown the seeds for future success.

We have written to Jamie on behalf of all our members thanking him for his contribution and wishing him well in whatever path his future career takes.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

12th September 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

THE FIXTURES ARE OUT, PILOT MATCHES CONTINUE AS THE NEW SEASON GETS CLOSER

(Note: Nick's column was written at the start of the week - there have been developments since then)

With the new season fast approaching the major topic on the lips of ‘Elite’ football fans around the country is about when can grounds allow spectators back in. To this end the Government has sanctioned the return of pilot games, on Saturday for example Harlequins had 2700 to watch their Premiership match against Bath.

But as this column has been reporting over recent weeks, it is no easy matter for clubs to prepare their stadiums as Covid secure. The safeguards put in place on Saturday included supporters being given prescribed entry times and gates with exit times staggered.

And now League 2 Cambridge United will have been the first professional football club to have hosted crowds at their EFL Trophy match against Fulham U-21s last night (Tuesday). Cambridge have also been allowed to admit season ticket holders only on Saturday, as another pilot event, when they play their first League fixture against Carlisle United.

But to be able to open their gates to fans is no easy matter, for crowds to be admitted into the Abbey Stadium was a project undertaken by the EFL and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority while the work of having a safe application of social distancing has been overseen by crowd dynamics experts, Movement Strategies, who will assess these two pilot matches.

Let’s all hope it goes according to plan because the rest of us can’t wait to watch a live match again at Plainmoor but there has been a recent rise in coronavirus cases which could bring this progress to a halt.

In the meantime on Saturday Cambridge knocked out Championship side Birmingham City 1-0 in the Carabao Cup thanks to Robbie Cundy’s first professional goal.

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National League news: the last week has seen a flurry of signings by National League clubs including title favourites Stockport County, Wrexham, Bromley and Weymouth who also appointed Brian Stock as their new manager, as clubs gear up for the coming season.

Of course a big part of a new campaign is when the fixtures are released which was yesterday (Tuesday), too late for this column sadly.

At last the Premier League has come to the rescue with a £5million package to help non-league clubs with their Matchday Support Fund, Step 1 clubs can apply for a maximum grant of £20,000 tapering down to £2000 at Step 6.

On Monday the National League board met with all the clubs to discuss how they can move forward with pilot matches plus confirming each club’s ground capacities but news coming out of the meeting is not very clear other than match day programmes will be optional.

Surely as long as Plainmoor is Covid secure, which by all accounts it is, then why can’t season ticket holders be allowed in for a pre-season friendly?

Meanwhile Bromley have decided not to issue season tickets as they say they cannot guarantee a full season of games. While Barnet have said that the only way fans can watch at The Hive is through buying a season ticket.

Another topic that won’t go away is the question of a salary cap for the National League. Leagues 1 & 2 voted for a maximum of £2.5million on players’ salaries per season for League One and £1.5million in League Two but these are still to be ratified after the Professional Footballers’ Association requested arbitration.

But the consequences of a cap could hit players as, for example, new contracts will see clauses inserted to reduce wages in the event of relegation and so eventually could effect players paying their mortgages. So were the National League to agree a cap would these players’ wages be at risk as those in the EFL? There are clearly arguments for and against having a cap but whilst clubs are not allowed to admit spectators or at best only in limited numbers, for the short term, a cap may make financial sense to ensure clubs can pay their playing squads.

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TUST was sorry to learn over the weekend that the Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST) manager Jamie McInnes has, after two plus years, decided to step down from his role. TUST has enjoyed working with him on community outreach projects and, of course, the popular Fan Zones.

TUST chairman Michel Thomas praised Jamie’s work in the community especially these last six months during lockdown, adding, “ Jamie has given much time to the local community on behalf of Torquay United and he’s to be thanked for all he’s done for the young and old.”

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In last Friday’s UEFA Nations League match between the Faroe Islands and Malta which the Faroe Islands won 3-2, there was a hat-trick for Olsen. Nothing particularly surprising you’d say, but actually the three scorers were all different Olsens. The first by Klaemint Olsen who is, incidentally, the first Faroese to score two international hat-tricks, the second by Andreas Olsen, who scored the only goal on Sunday to beat Andorra, and the third by Brandur Olsen. Oh yes, Andreas Olsen had come on as a sub, replacing Meinhard Olsen!

None of the Olsens are related but the name is pretty common in Denmark.

And where are the Faroe Islands? Tucked away between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic being politically part of Denmark.

With October 3 getting closer there’s a return of ‘Three Word Fun’ - send me your three words that sum up your thoughts and excitement about returning to Plainmoor to: [email protected] Best ones will be published in a future column.

To the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

19th September 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express
WITH NEW DOUBTS OVER FANS RETURNING, UNITED HAVE THREE EXCITING EMERGING TALENTS

If ever any proof was needed that these are unprecedented, topsy-turvey times you only have to read last week’s column which was full of optimism for fans to return to football grounds at the elite levels as pilot events were not only being planned -for as many as 10,000 paying supporters at Wembley at the end of the month for the FA Vase and Trophy finals - but were already underway at Doncaster races, cricket and EFL football at Cambridge United.

However, the rising R rate, increasing positive coronavirus cases plus the introduction of the ‘Rule of Six’ seems to have put a lid on the progress that was being made. The Wembley Finals are postponed while the Premier League has called a halt to any pilot games after the Government said that the maximum numbers allowed would be limited to 1000, adding in a strongly worded statement:“ For each month of the season without fans, more than £100m is lost to football across the leagues with consequential damage to the local and national economy. It also harms the employment prospects of more than 100,000 people whose jobs depend on match day activities.”

What will all this mean for the October 3 start for the National League? What is clear is that should grounds remain closed to fans clubs will not be able to survive financially for long as playing games behind closed doors is not an option. But with protocols and events changing all the time it’s difficult to predict what might happen next. And as Gary Johnson says, should the season be brought to a halt it’s important to get as many points on the board as quickly as possible.

It might not, certainly in the case of the Gulls, be all gloom and doom, because for a modest £4 the Yellow Army were able to live stream Saturday’s pre-season friendly where visitors, Hemel Hempstead gave United a stern test which is what the players want and needed. There were a number of bright performances notably Josh Umerah and Olaf Koszela up front with Louis Slough impressive at the back. In time could one of these three earn the club some decent transfer funds? Or all three?

Intriguingly there were a wide range of shirt numbers used so might we expect the squad numbers soon?

With BT Sport announcing their live matches to the start of 2021, the Yellow Army won’t miss a trick hopefully to watch a Halloween treat when United go to Hartlepool. All 24 National League clubs get one TV match with Stockport County, Wrexham, Notts County and Weymouth, the fortunate ones, each appearing twice.

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National League news: Over the weekend this column carried out two surveys of all the National League clubs to see firstly, how many offer live streaming, with 11 doing so. At nine clubs this was free, with only United and Wealdstone (£5.99) charging.

The other interest was whether all clubs were now selling season tickets and not all are, with Bromley, Chesterfield, Eastleigh, Woking and Wrexham not doing so this season. A number of others have limited how many - Boreham Wood (500), FC Halifax (1000), Hartlepool (1500), Solihull Moors (500) and Weymouth (500).

The problem for clubs, including United, is how every club’s Safety Advisory Group’s advice will decide about ground capacities. Interestingly, for Wrexham’s home pre-season friendly on Saturday they produced a digital match-day programme for downloading; is this going to be the way forward?

Both Chesterfield and Weymouth are appealing for ‘Volunteer Marshals’ to help out on match days to direct fans with the new entry methods, one way systems and seating. Sounds rather like the MatchDay Ambassadors United used in their National South promotion year. As the MatchDay Ambassador co-ordinator I know we would be more than willing to help the club, if required and asked.

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Well, yes it’s only one game and as Gulls’ boss Gary Johnson says, the National League is really League Three, as there is little difference between the National League and League Two, so who sits top of League Two but Harrogate Town after thumping last season’s strugglers, Southend United 4-0 at Roots Hall on the opening day.

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Many thanks to those who have sent in suggestions for the new ‘Three Word Fun’ - send me your three words that sum up your thoughts and excitement about returning to Plainmoor (let’s remain positive) to: [email protected]

As always to the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

26th September 2020

URGENT MESSAGE

TUST asks all Gulls fans, as a matter of urgency, to email their MP today to urge the government to provide financial help to the member clubs of the National League.

members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

Without this support the National League season - all three divisions - is in danger of not starting with clubs going out of business.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST ( TUST )
PRESS RELEASE


The latest updated news from the National League is that the season will start next Saturday
provided the Government agrees to the confirmation of financial support for the three divisions
and based on each club’s net gate revenue.

This all sounds rather vague and there is, of course, no guarantee that this financial lifeline is
going to be agreed which is why TUST asks all the Yellow Army to email their MP.
TUST has contacted our three local MPs - Kevin Foster, Anthony Mangnall and Anne Marie
Morris - as well as Andy Walsh at the FSA and Oliver Dowden, Chairman of the Department
for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, to emphasise the seriousness of the situation.

Were the National League not to start this would result in numerous clubs going out of
business. For those that survived the future would be extremely bleak - elite status could be
lost resulting in the chances of competing for a place in the EFL gone too, as the make-up of the
top non-league divisions would change forever, as the remaining clubs would be, at best, part-
time.
The fallout for local communities and businesses would be disastrous.

Whilst live streaming is a great innovation this can only be seen as a partial solution as it
cannot replace spectators being allowed inside stadiums. Interest, even by the most ardent
fan, is unlikely to be maintained over the next six months.
This is why TUST urges those in authority to ensure football fans are once again permitted to
watch their local teams in Covid secure stadiums as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.


STAY PROTECT SAVE
ALERT THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CLUBS