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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.

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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.

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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

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

8th November

FAN ZONE

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

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EIGHT NON-LEAGUE CLUBS COUNT THE COST OF NO FA CUP REPLAYS

TUST HANDS OVER £222,000 COMMUNITY SHARE ISSUE TO CLUB CHAIRMEN

UNITED’S WIN AT SALISBURY PUTS A SPARKLE ON FACES

The weekend saw the magic of the FA Cup as a host of non-league sides battled it out against, in most cases, higher opposition. There are those who don’t find this the best competition in the world but when giant killing occurs you can’t but feel elated for the fans of that club.

And there were some shocks as expected. For the Yellow Army we could only watch from afar cursing going out at the first stage.

But wait a moment, what have the FA done to the cup? Taken away replays which in a number of cases would have meant an extra pay day, often crucial and life giving to ensure another year of existence, and the chance to cause an upset to progress to Round 2.

So feel for the supporters of Braintree Town, Boreham Wood, Weston-Super-Mare, Hednesford Town, Maidenhead United, Southend United, Guiseley and Forest Green who were all denied the opportunity to try again.

And why has this come about? Because of the power of the Premier League? Too many other competitions?

Top players in major sports like football and cricket are being overplayed for the sake of TV exposure and money to a limit which surely cannot be sustained.

What’s your view? Send to: [email protected].

*****

Congratulations to these non-league sides through to the next round after giant killing: Kettering beating local rivals Northampton Town, Tamworth defeating Huddersfield, Dagenham & Redbridge knocking out Crewe. And don’t forget Harnborough Town, a Leicestershire side playing in the Southern League Premier Central. Their reward is a tie at Reading in Round 2.

*****

Two weeks ago there was a pulsating game of football as Torquay overcame a talented and strong Worthing in front of 3,701 of whom around 700 were Blue Light guests. So, that couldn’t be repeated could it?

Well, yes it could and was as an amazing 3,466 watched United and Chelmsford battle it out with both managers claiming their team should have won.

The Yellow Army were treated to a front foot, dynamic opening 20 minutes which turned into a dream debut for new signing Jordan Young, named Man of the Match. His blistering pace opened up the chance for the opening goal and he himself notched the second. Had he scored a hat-trick which he might well have done he would have been added to the hall of fame for three on his debut. A second half free kick went close and a gaping goal was in his sights had he placed it rather than putting his boot through it. Never-the-less it was a great start for him.

Of course, it’s disappointing and frustrating to allow a 2-0 win to slip away but credit to the visitors who fought back. If you were a neutral on holiday in Torbay and came to Plainmoor for the Worthing match and again on Saturday you had your money’s worth of entertainment and excitement.

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Non-League & FA Cup Crowd Watch: Southend v Charlton 8,875, Chesham v Lincoln 3,963, Scunthorpe v Radcliffe 3,892, Hednesford Town v Gainsborough Trinity 3,866, Tamworth v Huddersfield Town 3,533, Torquay v Chelmsford 3,466, Tonbridge Angels v Harnborough Town, 3,132, Worthing v Morecambe 3,110, Woking v Cambridge United 3,105.

*****

It was heartache as United Women went out of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at Round 1 as ex-player Connie Pengelly came back to haunt her old team when she blasted home the penalty, the only goal, to win the tie.

Pengelly had only signed for higher division Bridgwater Town on Friday, so she had a dream debut.

And United’s Under-18s were beaten 5-2 at Eastleigh in their FA Youth Cup match on Monday.

*****

There were a number of exciting things for fans to see at Plainmoor on Saturday besides the football. Fans on the Popside were treated to some new stunning murals on the walls to brighten up the entrances.

Then three of us from TUST, myself, former chairman Michel Thomas and vice-chairman Robin Causley presented, in the centre circle before the match, the Community Share Issue cheque for the huge £222,000 to co-chairmen Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh.

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One of the rewards for Platinum investors in the CSI is to be a Director for the Day and on Saturday the first recipient of this was Mike Tobin and his guest Guy James who were treated to a meal in the Cove sitting with some of the Bryn Consortium and Neil Warnock before watching events unfold in the game from the Directors’ Box.

*****

United were in action again on Bonfire Night at Salisbury with Cody Cooke’s 85th minute penalty lighting up the night sky sending home the 345 Gulls fans in a sparkling mood.

Saturday sees the Gulls back at Plainmoor for the visit of Tonbridge Angels. Let’s keep the 3,000 plus attendances going. With the team in the top seven and only just behind the leaders, a position which changes weekly, your support is vital.

COYY

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY