TUST Updates

[TUST_Official]

30th August 2024

FAN ZONE

TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

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A PROPER BANK HOLIDAY BONANZA TO REMEMBER WTH SIX VITAL POINTS

TUST’S COMMUNITY SHARE ISSUE SMASHES THROUGH £100,000 AFTER DAY FIVE

HELEN AND TIM TO RETURN WITH FOOTBALL PODCAST

For a revitalised Torquay United this was a Bank Holiday weekend to remember on and off the pitch. Firstly, Paul Wotton’s new look squad took all six points on offer with wins against much fancied Dorking Wanderers and then on Monday a late, late winner at Chesham.

The weekend also featured the launch of TUST’s Community Share Issue and what a response there has been to this.

Football first, and Saturday’s 1-0 win in front of another big Plainmoor crowd. Lirak Hasani’s left foot drive (his weaker foot) was worthy of winning any football match. For all their possession football Dorking were fortunate not to have suffered a heavier defeat although how Barry Fuller missed a sitter in the dying seconds only he knows as that would have rescued his side a point.

*****

This current batch of players are playing in the manager’s image - 100% commitment and effort with a determination to never give up. Saturday’s victory was well deserved and sent the Yellow Army home with smiles on faces.

Plainmoor is once again a welcoming home for Torquay fans reverting to the family, friendly club it once was.

*****

Monday’s game in Buckinghamshire underlined the importance managers like Wotton place on their squads. He’s not afraid to make changes during games and for starting elevens rotating players according to their fitness.

Wotton is a manager who thinks ahead and plans accordingly and we can all see why Neil Warnock holds him in such high regard. Success here in Devon and bigger clubs are bound to come looking not just at the manager but players too.

Whilst the performance at Chesham fell below Saturday’s standard as Wotton said after the game, “Play poorly but still get three points, I’m thrilled.”

Dean Moxey, playing his first few minutes of competitive football this season, drilled in a low cross and Brad Ash, making his 50th appearance, scored his 16th goal for United to snatch the winner.

The away support, helped by the ever reliable Travel Club, was estimated at around 800 in a crowd of 1,500.

The travelling Yellow Army deserve a huge round of applause - over 500 at Farnborough and 675 at Bath.

Congratulations to Hasani who was included in the Vanarama National South Team of the Week on Saturday and James Hamon and Ed Palmer who were in the Non-League Paper’s South team.

*****

Last Friday TUST launched its Community Share Issue with a brilliant video put together by the CutLeaf boys and an Offer Document outlining what buying a share means.

With TUST already committing £50,000 from its Forever Yellow fund resulting in myself becoming a director of the football club, by raising a minimum of £100,000 we will have a second TUST director.

But importantly, TUST will have a Golden Share guaranteeing heritage rights.

By the end of Day 1 the share issue had raised 50% of the minimum and as of today (Friday) the figure stood at an astonishing £128,531.

The issue runs for four more weeks and we now like to work towards a new target of £250,00. The more money we raise the more the club can use to bolster the playing budget and establish a proper youth academy to discover the next £1m plus player. There is a lot of talent here in the South-West which has been by-passing Torquay United.

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Non-League Crowd Watch Saturday: Scunthorpe 3,927, Hartlepool 3,614, Torquay 3,566, Barnet 2,932, Sutton 2,624.

Non-League Crowd Watch Monday: Southend 8,495, York 5,893, Oldham 5,583, Yeovil 3,686.

*****

Torquay United Women are to start their new league campaign on Sunday September 8 - any chance this could be at Plainmoor?

TUST is proud to sponsor the back of the women’s home shirt this season and we wish them every success and hopefully promotion to the National League to keep pace with the men.

*****

Hands up who still misses Sky Sports SoccerAM on a Saturday morning with Gulls fan HellsBells?

Well, here’s the good news. Helen Chamberlain, who joined SoccerAM in 1995 staying until 2017 and Tim Lovejoy who joined in 1996 leaving in 2007, are back together for a new football podcast, Soccer A-Z.

Each show is themed around a letter of the alphabet and the first episode starts on September 4.

*****

Yes, it’s too soon to form judgments but current National South leaders Slough Town are unexpectedly at the top with United second on goal difference, while in National North favourites Scunthorpe lead the pack.

Meanwhile in the National Premier Eastleigh are the surprise top side. But it’s a long way to the end of the season.

You can contact me at: [email protected]

COYY

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