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Post by rjdgull on Mar 26, 2022 14:15:54 GMT
26th March 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. FRANK’S SAFARI TRIPS NORTH REMEMBERED AS UNITED’S HALIFAX JOURNEY ENDS AN UNBEATEN RUN It was great that the club decided to use Tuesday night’s match against Aldershot to celebrate the life of Frank O’Farrell with his family specially invited, although it might have been more appropriate had it waited for Saturday’s visit of Weymouth, O’Farrell’s first team in his management career. Never-the-less, there’s no doubting his importance in the history of The Gulls. He had a good sense of humour and would have had some choice views on Chelsea complaining about the Government’s sanctions limiting them to £20,000 to travel north to play Middlesborough in their FA Cup match on Saturday, sanctions which were subsequently lifted. £20,000? In his biography he recounts a trip to Hartlepool,“Back then there were no motorways like there are today, we used to leave on a Friday morning and travel north, meandering along the old A5 and A6 roads. On our return after the match we would sometimes stop over in Leeds on the Saturday night and resume our journey after breakfast on a Sunday morning, arriving back in Torquay around tea time on Sunday evening - talk about a safari.” Many National League sides have to make these kinds of trips in a day! ************ On Saturday United made the long journey to FC Halifax, travelling on the Friday for an overnight stay, and outplayed their hosts for the first half but eventually going down 2-0. Halifax manager Pete Wild had this to say, “It was a game of two halves, I thought they got their plan excellently well against us first half. I thought they frustrated us, they forced us one way. We were very fortunate to be 0-0 at half time.” Despite the surprise signing of Opi Edwards, for his third loan at Plainmoor, Torquay could not conjure a goal. Wonder if Sinclair Armstrong would like another go too? ************ Non-League Crowd Watch: In the Southern League Premier Central there was an intriguing basement battle between home side Bromsgrove Sporting, third from bottom, and bottom club Biggleswade Town, who won 1-0, in front of an amazing 1,537, that’s 300 more than Solihull Moors attracted. Congratulations to Bracknell Town on becoming the first side in Steps 1-4 on becoming champions of Isthmian South Central with next season seeing them in the Isthmian Premier, the highest position in their club history. Manager Bobby Wilkinson was formerly in charge at Hungerford Town before moving on to Wealdstone in National South taking them to the play-off semi-final before losing to Woking. A manager to watch. In midweek, Stockport stayed top-of-the-table thanks to a 3-0 win over Notts County in front of 7,951 and Dagenham & Redbridge defeated Southend by the same score with 7,542 in attendance. On the same night only Swindon, with 8,243, had better gates in League 2. ************ Talking of Swindon, the sale of their County Ground, in a deal worth £2.3m, was approved by Swindon Council last week. This big step will see the transfer of the stadium from the Borough Council to a joint venture comprised of Swindon Town FC and the Swindon Town Supporters’ Trust. Both parties will own 50% of the site. The Trusts’ half of the deal has been funded by the late Nigel Eady, a lifelong Swindon Town supporter. A Swindon Town spokesman said, “This is another huge step towards owning our own home with our fans.” The new owners have plans to develop the ground over the coming years, upgrading stands while adding a conference centre and hotel. ************ Five men have been banned from football matches for a total of 23 years for their involvement in match-day disorder during the Wrexham/Torquay fixture last October following an appearance at Wrexham Magistrates Court. All were found guilty of throwing missiles at Gulls’ fans. The five are now banned from attending any football matches in the UK for the duration of the orders. Wonder when anything will become of the incidents on Boxing Day? ************ This Saturday is Non-League Day, supporting prostate cancer uk, with the visit of Weymouth. But what is Non-League Day? It was set up in 2010 as a social media experiment by James Doe since when it has become an annual part of the football calendar, scheduled when there’s an international break, so not surprisingly it’s backed by the Premier League as well as the EFL. So, this is your chance to visit Plainmoor, maybe for the first time, to support your local non-league team especially in the warm Torbay sunshine. And with Plymouth playing at Ipswich why not a trip up the A38 instead for the Green Army? *********** Torquay United Women could only draw 1-1 at home to AFC St Austell Ladies keeping them second in the table three points adrift of Ilminster Women but having played three games more and with Sherborne Ladies breathing down their necks in third. But good news for United’s Under-18s as after a 3-0 win over Yeovil Town they’re into their second Cup Final, this time the Gary Else Memorial thanks to goals from Lewis Brooks (2) and Ben Aldous. *********** The overwhelming response to last week’s question is that United need to sign a striker for next season. And maybe, should it work out, Opi Edwards is being lined up to join on a permanent basis. Forest Green manager Rob Edwards had this to say about Edwards’ loan, “He’s only played four games for us, so he needs to get game time for himself. He’s had a few injuries so it’s been a stop/start season for him. After four weeks, if he’s done well he’ll come back in. He deserves to go out and get some games.” ************ Well done to the Yellow Army and Halifax fans for their 40th minute applause on Saturday in memory of Andrew Holland aka Westyorkshiregull. Good on the club for sending out to season ticket holders a monthly newsletter, should be of interest to those who don’t keep up to date on events at TQ1. Where do you see the Gulls finishing this season? Send your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet Don’t forget Non-League Day on Saturday with Weymouth. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 3, 2022 8:25:48 GMT
2nd April 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. STUCK IN ELEVENTH TWO WINS IN A WEEK EDGE UNITED CLOSER TO THE PLAY-OFFS WITH THE TWO STEPHENS DRIVING THE TEAM ON Two home wins inside five days, seven goals scored with none against and six valuable points as Gary Johnson’s squad chase down that elusive play-off place. It seems like the Gulls have been stuck in eleventh place for weeks but the crunch is coming with nine games left, twenty seven points at stake and there’s a key fixture looming - a home tie against sixth placed Notts County on April 9. And surely this is destined to be United’s biggest gate of the season. No more incoming players, though, as the National League transfer window closed last Thursday. Last Tuesday Torquay dealt comfortably with a poor, out of its depth, Aldershot and in truth the result could have been higher than 4-0. On Saturday the 3-0 victory over Weymouth looks to have been similar but the visitors can count themselves unlucky not to have scored a few themselves, in fact the stats show they had more goal attempts than United’s - double! Weymouth boss David Oldfield had this to say, “We’re not doing that well enough. We’ve conceded too many simple goals so any good play - we did create chances and have shots - is really once the horse has bolted.” And to be fair, credit to the away fans at the far end of Bristow’s for noisily supporting their team from start to finish. On a sunny Torbay Tuesday evening only 1,800 attended but on Non-League Day against Weymouth an extra 700 turned up. ********** Tuesday’s match was a special occasion with the game being played in memory of Frank O’Farrell with many of his family sitting in the Directors’ Box as guests and they participated in the wonderfully respectful minute’s applause. O’Farrell’s daughter revealed they had been at the previous weekend’s West Ham versus Spurs fixture. That leaves visits to Weymouth, Leicester City and Manchester United. Sitting with them was another Torquay footballing legend, Bruce Rioch who, as well as kindly autographing matchday programmes, regaled us with his memories of life at Plainmoor and signing Dennis Bergkamp for Arsenal. ********** Talking of signings, what an influential duo are Sunderland loanee Stephen Wearne, two goals in two games, much to the pleasure of his father who travels from the north to watch all his games, and Stephen Duke-McKenna ‘The Duke’ on loan from QPR who’s looking more and more like a real prospect - in fact he’s so good they should make a film about him! And he’s in the Vanarama Team of the Week. Wearne, not only Man of the Match, was named in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day. *********** Former United skipper Angus MacDonald, now at promotion chasing Rotherham United, has two England ‘C’ caps to his credit but not when at Plainmoor, at the time of his call-up he was at Salisbury City. MacDonald had this to say, “England ‘C’ gives you a confidence boost and a platform” so no doubt Armani Little and Ben Wynter will both have enjoyed that honour when they stepped out on Wednesday for their international debuts against Wales but not the result. ************ Non-League Crowd Watch: 8,578 watched a thriller at The Racecourse when on 63 minutes the score was an improbable Wrexham 2 and already relegated Dover 5 but after 90+8 minutes it was Wrexham 6 Dover 5. But there was an amazing 10,334 - including 2,719 away fans - for the 1-1 draw between Notts County and Chesterfield. National North York City had 3,317; top of the table in National South Maidstone snatched a 96th minute winner in front of 2,518. At the top of the Northern Premier South Shields, under Kevin Phillips, won 2-0 with 2,676 watching. Well done to Bury AFC Champions of the North West Counties First Division North on their journey back up the pyramid with 1,885 cheering them on. *********** Congratulation too to the Torquay United Under-18s on claiming the South West Counties Youth title following an emphatic 8-0 win over New College Swindon with four goals from Theo Cadby leading the rout. For those at Plainmoor on Saturday the Under-18 squad and management received a great half-time applause. *********** This season has so far been one for refereeing standards to be heavily criticised and not just in the National League. Why is this? The Premier League introduced VAR essentially to support referees but even this has come under attack. At Torquay there have been a number of controversial decisions but is this because referees are at fault or that the ‘average’ fan doesn’t understand the laws of the game and how they are enacted? So, what does it take to become a referee? The minimum age for a refereeing course is 14 with specially designed courses’ aims being to provide an introduction to the laws of the game as well as developing the practical skills required. There are five modules to cover including: laws of the game, role of the referee, positioning and movement at set pieces/open play, managing game situations and a written element. Then there’s the actual game situation where a trainee has six games in which to show what they’ve learnt. After that they reflect on their experiences in a three hour workshop; all candidates are re-examined within a month. Finally, there’s an annual refresher training programme. So, after all that we would like to think competent officials will emerge, although that isn’t the case and the biggest changes to English refereeing are being drawn up by the Premier League with the introduction of the Elite Referee Development Programme to fast track the best young referees. Currently referees trying to work their way to the top have to prove themselves in Step 2 (Nationals North & South) then Step 1, the National League, before being promoted into the national list which covers Leagues 1&2 but once in League 1 they only earn £400 a match. Whilst for those at the grass-roots refereeing is a hobby but for those who see it as a job the remuneration needs re-assessing. ************ Where do you think United will finish the season was last week’s question. The optimists feel in the play-offs but others think anywhere from eighth to tenth. This week would you become a referee yes or no? Send your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 9, 2022 9:36:53 GMT
8th April 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. ARE YOU ON YOUR WAY TO PLAINMOOR FOR UNITED’S BIG GAME? LAST THROW OF THE DICE FOR A PLAY-OFF PLACE? Take your mind back….June 12 2021 in front of a restricted but noisy crowd of 1,709 in the mid-day Plainmoor sunshine with visitors Notts County in the semi-final of the National League Play-Off and of course, Torquay United’s 4-2 victory, after extra time, to go through to that Final at Ashton Gate. Well, United have a similar task this Saturday with Notts County, minus the injured Kyle Cameron, to catch them in another play-off position and surely this time in front of Plainmoor’s highest attendance of the season - over 4,000? With Grimsby hitting fellow title challengers Chesterfield 4-1 the gap between Gary Johnson’s side and that crucial seventh place has once again been stretched to nine points - still mathematically possible but a win on Saturday is vital - so come along and support your local team. ********* Interesting how new managers can affect a team either positively or negatively. Take Darren Sarll having swapped Yeovil Town for Woking who, in his first game, went and won at Boreham Wood, their first home defeat of the season while Chesterfield’s new boss, the experienced ex-EFL manager Paul Cook, has seen his side slip from second when he took over from James Rowe, to fifth. And in that time the Spireites have only picked up twelve points from a possible thirty. With most teams now down to single figure matches left to play, the top sides are looking at the title and play-off places. Stockport’s title is theirs to lose so the next six have their eyes on being in the play-off mix. Those finishing second and third go straight into the semi-finals whilst fourth plays seventh on Thursday May 26 and on Wednesday May 25 fifth plays sixth in the Elimination Round. The semi-finals are on Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29 with the Wembley Final on either Saturday June 4 or Sunday June 5. There are big matches between now and the end of the season with top sides playing each other. Did you see this great Tweet from Torquay United AFC Brasil? Ainda ha esperancasde conseguirmos uma vaga nos play-offs! O soho segue vivo! Vamos, reposes! Vamos, Torquay! All of which translates as : There is still hope of getting a spot in the play-offs! The dream is still alive! Let’s go guys! Come on, Torquay! ************ The amount of money National League clubs spent on agents’ fees between February 2021 and January 2022 was laid out last week. United paid out £10,330 but compare this with leaders Stockport County- £131,692 - and Wrexham’s £80,284. Notable others are Notts County £53,061 and Chesterfield £45,686. In the same period the Premier League clubs paid out £272.6m, sufficient to pay for all the wages at all twenty-four League 2 clubs’ every player, manager, coaches and all non-playing staff. No wonder part of the Fan-Led Review - there’s still time to write to your MP to support the Bill - is to ensure Premier League money is distributed fairly down the football pyramid. *********** What a weekend for Non-League Crowd Watch: Little old Littlehampton Town won 4-0, to take them to Wembley for the FA Vase Final, in front of 3,200 to meet Newport Pagnell who knocked out Tim Sills’ Hamworthy Town. Meanwhile, in the Isthmian South East Division leaders Hastings United had a remarkable 3,082 watching a 0-0 at home to Haywards Heath but 4,720 were there to see Macclesfield awarded their Championship Trophy after a 4-2 win over AFC Liverpool. National South Maidstone stayed top after a comfortable 4-0 home win with 2,730 in attendance. In the National League big crowds at Chesterfield 7,819, Southend 6,338 and in the FA Trophy semi-finals 8,703 at Wrexham (2-0 winners over Stockport) and Bromley 4,423 with visitors York City taking 1,011 - Bromley winning 3-1. *********** What’s happened to Lucas Covolan at Port Vale? After receiving a four game ban following his sending off on January 13 against promotion rivals Swindon Town, Covolan hasn’t played since. At the time manager Darrell Clarke said, “He has got to learn from that otherwise he won’t be staying at the club for very long.” So has he left? If so could he be a summer transfer target? He’d be a very popular returning figure. ************ Gary Time? Now it’s Toddy Time! United’s Under-18s left it late, late to salvage a home draw when Jayden Gilbert’s 93rd minute goal gave the Champions a shared point with Yeovil Town. They now have two cup finals coming up to see if they can achieve a unique treble. Talking of cup finals, United’s Women take on Exeter City’s women’s team in the Devon FA final on April 22 at Coach Road, Newton Abbot 7pm in a match jointly sponsored by TUST and the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust. The final is hopefully going to be well supported although possibly not to the extent of last week’s record breaking attendance of 91,553 at the Nou Camp to witness Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over rivals Real Madrid to go through to the finals of the Women’s Champions League. Well maybe Coach Road doesn’t hold as many as that! ********** Iran, USA and one other out of Scotland, Wales or Ukraine must give England a World Cup draw of dreams and a really strong chance to get out of the group stage in November. What could go wrong? ********** Would you become a referee was last week’s question. Not many takers saying yes I’m afraid but hats off to those who do and often put themselves in line for unwarranted abuse; having refereed at school level, parents on the touchline are one of the worst. With the Premier League going to five substitutes from next season should the National League do the same? Send your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet This Saturday is a big game so make sure you get your ticket in time and get behind the team. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 15, 2022 7:30:41 GMT
14th April 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. THREE AND EASY FOR CONNOR THANKS TO A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS IN THE PLAINMOOR SUNSHINE Wish you’d been there? If ever a match at Plainmoor deserved a bigger crowd Saturday was it. 3,130 including 577 away fans witnessed six spectacular goals in the Torbay sunshine. Although the goal highlights are there to be seen it’s not quite the same as being able to say ‘I was there’. Only another fifty watched the Wrexham match on February 6 when Torquay United’s 1-0 win took them to eleventh place where they were to stay for two months before moving to tenth after Saturday but still below the highest of the season so far - the Boxing Day clash with Yeovil where 3,830 attended. Whilst United edge closer to the play-offs surely Gary Johnson’s team deserve bigger numbers through the gates - what could be better than an afternoon outdoors in the Spring sunshine? And on Easter Monday you have a chance to come out in numbers to join those local clubs and teams who can take advantage of free tickets on the club’s newest Community Day. For further details contact joanneh@torquayunited.com. or phone 01803 328666. *********** Back to the visit of Notts County who, after a 3-0 victory at Southend last time out must have thought their journey to Devon was going to be a formality and as manager Ian Burchnall said after the game, “It feels like we came here thinking we’re comfortable in the play-offs and then we got a shock.” The shock was high voltage with man of the match performances from skipper Armani Little (until he handed over the armband when Asa Hall came on) and hat-trick hero Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - both of whom were not surprisingly named in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day with Gary Johnson the Top Boss - and in the Vanarama Team of the Week. Connor’s trio of goals were the first since October 2020 when Danny Wright hit three at Hartlepool. Next target has to be four and the last time a United player achieved this feat was March 1987 when Paul Dobson netted four against Halifax. Connor’s three took his Torquay career total to 30. The afternoon began with a quality 12th goal of the season from Armani Little setting the standard for the rest to follow and boy they didn’t disappoint - Little’s second and the Gulls’ fifth was an audacious dink over the approaching keeper - what a cheeky finish! In-between were three superb strikes for the Lemon who rightly took home the match ball. If you want more of the same make your way to Plainmoor on Easter Monday. That United won at a canter on Grand National Day was a happy co-incidence but no thanks to a bizarre refereeing display from James Durkin who found it necessary to book a total of seven players, five of whom were Torquay’s, no wonder the standard of the officials in the National League was a topic in this column two weeks ago. ********* So, what chance do the Gulls have of reaching seventh place? Well, it still remains in their own hands and Johnson was clearly upset by some fans when he wrote in his programme notes: “I’m sorry to hear that people feel that my comments on staying positive for the play-offs are only to keep the fans coming in. Obviously, one or two people don’t believe - which is ok - but the majority that have supported us, and have supported their club, through thick and thin, I’m hoping have enjoyed our recent form and will be there when we need them.” The only real disappointment of the afternoon was the puerile chanting from a section of the Popside with derogatory comments about Kyle Cameron who, but for bizarre refereeing, would have been a two goal hero steering the Gulls into the EFL. *********** What does the run in look like for some of the top sides in the National League? Current leaders Stockport County have six of their remaining eight games against teams currently in the top eight; Wrexham’s 3-2 win over Eastleigh was the second of four consecutive home games - they demolished Barnet 6-0 in mid-week - and still have a home game against Stockport; Solihull’s win at Dagenham & Redbridge was the first of four away games in succession, the next three being FC Halifax, Wrexham and Stockport. Chesterfield’s final six, three are away one of which is at Plainmoor on BT Sport. And Saturday’s visitors Notts County have six of their last seven against teams in the lower half of the table including Dover - twice. Seventh placed Grimsby have four home games left out of seven still to play one of which is the visit of Torquay United but they still have Stockport and Boreham Wood on their fixture list. ************ National League Crowd Watch: 9,163 at Wrexham with 7,738 watching Stockport County and 3,334 at National South Dulwich Hamlet. Bedford Town’s Rene Howe kept his side top of Southern League Division 1 Central with his 30th goal of the season. *********** Which sides are vying to join the National League next season? From League 2 it’s likely to be Scunthorpe plus one from Barrow, Oldham or Stevenage. From National North the Championship race is currently between Brackley Town, Gateshead, AFC Fylde and from the South, Maidstone United, Dorking Wanderers or Dartford. *********** Despite leading 2-1 at half-time, Torquay United Women slipped to a 3-2 defeat at leaders Ilminster Ladies finishing fourth, with St Austell Ladies and Sherborne Ladies battling it out for the runner-up spot, in their final match of the season. Unfortunately goals from Sasha Mole (penalty) and Beth Everson were not enough. With a depleted side this was, though, a great effort giving Interim Manager Steve Elswood food for thought for his squad choice to face Exeter City Women in the Devon FA Cup Final on April 22 7.15pm kick off at Coach Road. ************ There are certainly a good number of National League managers who would vote for five substitutes for next season, readers don’t seem too bothered. Saturday’s gate was lower than the match deserved so if you live locally what stops you from attending? Send me your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet United are at old ‘foes’ Woking on Good Friday where the Yellow Army is always there in large numbers so safe journey. Then it’s back to Plainmoor on Easter Monday. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 20, 2022 5:52:08 GMT
20th April 2022 CLICK HUB WOMEN'S PREMIER CUP FINAL TORQUAY UNITED V EXETER CITY TUST and Exeter City Supporters Trust are jointly sponsoring the final this Friday at Coach Road, Newton Abbot. KO 7.15pm Come along and give The Yellows a cheer! The TUST board will be attending so take the opportunity to say 'hello' and have a chat.  JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 22, 2022 16:46:34 GMT
22nd April 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. WOMEN’S MANAGER ‘EXCLUSIVE’ BEFORE TONIGHT’S TUST CO-SPONSORED DEVON FA CUP FINAL Torquay United’s ‘Big Easter Weekend’ got off to a great start with Armani Little’s solo goal at Woking on Good Friday but came to a shuddering halt on Monday as visitors Eastleigh, aided and abetted by referee Tom Bishop, who in booking six, booked his 83rd player in sixteen games, stole a point in a disappointing goal-less draw. Although the out of sorts Gulls moved up to ninth, they remain adrift of that elusive final play-off place. A win at Grimsby on Saturday is a must. It’s been a busy Easter weekend with two matches in four days for the players but great for attendance figures in non-league football, here’s the best in the round-up: on Good Friday 1,455 Stockport fans travelled to see their team beaten at Grimsby in a crowd of 7,818 but the biggest number were at the Racecourse 9,949 to watch Wrexham held by Solihull. 756 Halifax fans followed their side to Altrincham while 646 made the journey to Woking to see the Gulls win four on the spin. York City closed in on a play-off place in National North in front of 3,797 and elsewhere Isthmian South East Champions Hastings United had 2,084 but 3,230 watched FC Isle of Man. Then on Easter Monday a whopping 10,022 saw Wrexham cruise to a 4-0 win while 9, 211 watched Stockport stay top with a 1-0 victory. *********** After a record 1,603 matches as a manager across sixteen clubs Neil Warnock announced his retirement this year, one of those clubs was Torquay United. In a recent interview Warnock, who seemed to specialise in rescuing doomed teams, explained his philosophy in taking the pressure off players. “At Torquay I told my players to report outside a nightclub and said nobody could leave before midnight. Had we been on the training ground for five hours it would have killed them but that night helped them gel. Without that bond you will never keep a team up.” It obviously worked in 1993 as Warnock’s Torquay thanks to a 1-0 win at Carlisle saved the Gulls from dropping into the Football Conference. ************ In a surprise move Torquay United’s Women’s manager Grant Fisher left ‘by mutual consent’ earlier this month to be replaced by Development manager Steve Elswood on an interim basis and he takes over a squad, which narrowly missed out on top spot in the South West Premier League, for the Devon FA Women’s Cup Final, co-sponsored by TUST, this Friday evening. In an exclusive interview Elswood spoke with Fans’ Zone about his talented team, “It’s the second time in our history that we have reached the final and the ladies are focused on ensuring we give our best out there on the pitch and leave nothing behind.” The team go into the final against local rivals Exeter City in buoyant mood as Elswood explained, “We have had a great campaign securing a top four finish. Following on from our curtain coming down on the league season with a narrow defeat at table toppers Ilminster Town our thoughts turn to the final.” Exeter City’s women’s side plays in the National League tier a league above United but as Elswood says, “We might be underdogs but we are comfortable to be in that position as that label is always dangerous in a cup final. We have some exceptionally gifted players at this club and we know our strengths.” It promises to be a great game and it’s at Coach Road, Newton Abbot this Friday, kick-off 7.15pm and as Elswood urges, “We are hoping that many of the Yellow Army turn up on the night to support the ladies.” TUST will be there in numbers so come on you yellows. *********** April 2019 was United’s Championship season in National South and in the final two home games in the sunshine the Yellow Army came out in numbers: 4.539 to witness the team winning the title with victory over Eastbourne Borough and then the week after 5,351 crammed into Plainmoor to celebrate the champions. Since then, of course, there’s been empty stadiums across the country as Covid struck but there was a 4,000 plus crowd on New Year’s Day in 2020 for the visit of Yeovil Town and that was the last time the attendance reached this size. So, what is the reason for supporters staying away? Or are they? Memories of the past can be deceiving as in our youth we imagine Plainmoor was always packed. For those of a certain age we recall that 20,000+ crowd for the Spurs FA Cup match and picture large numbers for league games in the 1960s. Picking at random matches from the past let’s look at the facts. Attendance figures are the highest for that particular season and positions are where the club finished: Season 1956 Division 3 South, finished second v. Southampton Won 2-0 14,223. Season 1965 Division 4, third promoted v. Notts County Won 2-0 8,928 Season 1975 Division 4, ninth v. Lincoln City Drawn 2-2 4,364 Season 1985 Division 4, bottom v. Exeter City Lost 1-2 2,558 (This particular season saw seven home matches below 1,000 the lowest being 850 v. Crewe) Season 1995 Division 3, bottom v. Plymouth Argyle Lost 0-2 4,269 Season 2005 FA Cup Round 3 v. Birmingham City Drawn 0-0 5,974 Season 2010 League 2 1st Leg Play-off Semi-Final v. Shrewsbury Town Won 2-0 4,130 So why are fans staying away from Plainmoor? Is it for Covid reasons or perhaps the rising cost of living? From this week’s responses for some it’s the club’s ticketing policy. As one supporter puts it, ‘The fact I cannot pay at the turnstiles is keeping me away.’ While another echoes the same thought, ‘Since the club introduced a quite bizarre policy not to permit entry on the day at the turnstile.’ On Easter Monday, despite United’s amazing form plus 1,000 free tickets for Community Day only 3,646 turned up. *********** With the League season fixtures running out, it’s that time when supporters start to think about the club’s retained list. Which players are going to be released but more importantly which key players are going to be retained and offered new contracts? The club keeps these kinds of information close to its chest but hopefully matters are in hand with negotiations opened with players such as Shaun MacDonald, Dean Moxey, Joe Lewis, Armani Little, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Asa Hall and Danny Wright all of whom are thought to be out of contract. Surely Boss Gary Johnson won’t countenance sideways moves as happened last close season. Who would be your key player to be here next season? Send your answer to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet. Safe journey to those travelling to Grimsby. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on May 1, 2022 14:34:32 GMT
29th April 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. PLAY-OFFS MAYBE IN DOUBT BUT CUP SUCCESS FOR TORQUAY UNITED WOMEN AND UNDER-18s, PLUS LATEST FAN-LED REVIEW NEWS Whilst there’s fifteen points to play for, but ten points adrift of that final play-off place, it’s still mathematically possible for Torquay United to gatecrash the party although even the most optimistic Yellow Army fan must acknowledge that it’s unlikely to happen. With only three defeats this calendar year Gary Johnson and his squad have given the challenge a really good go especially after that disastrous start to the season. Saturday’s loss at Grimsby to a 90+1 minute penalty only confirmed the worst as even a point wouldn’t have been enough with Johnson admitting before the game that it was a six pointer. But United’s results since the turn of the year has been top seven form: Played 18, Won 9, Drawn 6, Lost 3, For 29, Against 17 but even seeing these, they hide the fact that in two home matches, against Dagenham & Redbridge and Barnet, 2-0 advantages were squandered. Add in the numerous games, Saturday’s was another example, where United ran the first half of a match but failed to take their chances only to run out of steam after the break. Johnson alluded to the problem in his post match interview when he talked about squad size, lack of player rotation and inability to rest players returning from injury. Grimsby, for example, he reminded us could put out two teams of equal ability which, as he rightly accepts, is down to what each club can afford financially. He does say to fans, “We’ll give it a right go next year.” Although Johnson hasn’t given up - and you can be sure he won’t let his squad - now that the loans of players like Alex Moyse, Louie Slough and Olaf Koszela are over at Bideford and Dorchester why not give them some experience of being in a matchday situation? It would give him and them the opportunity to show if they have what it takes? *********** Now let’s celebrate. First Torquay United Women who were very much the underdogs to higher league opponents Exeter City in Friday night’s TUST co-sponsored, with Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, Devon FA Women’s Cup Final. A night of drama as 572 at Coach Road were treated to a game played at a frantic pace by both sides and as United’s Women’s boss Steve Elswood told Fans’ Zone, “It was definitely the most incredible night in the history of the football club. We set up with a very clear plan of what we wanted to achieve and as the game grew so did those achievements.” It has to be said that the Gulls rode their luck with Exeter, who as Elswood said score freely and very rarely concede, hitting the bar and the upright with keeper Sasha Mole beaten both times. Then, with time ebbing away, Connie Pengeley fired Exeter into an 85th minute lead but with six minutes of added time running out United were awarded a penalty for a trip. Up stepped Leah Brookes to blast home the equaliser. Although Elswood’s side were tiring he said, “We don’t know when we’re beaten and we were always going to get a chance.” So, penalty shoot-out it was to decide the winners. Elswood divulged afterwards that the squad had practised penalties and shoot-out scenarios in training for the past three weeks but nothing can prepare you for the tension on the night. But step forward stand-in keeper Sasha Mole, normally an outfield player, who not only took and scored United’s first but saved Exeter’s first and last, to give the Torquay women a priceless cup win. In fact United’s penalty takers had nerves of steel with five blasted home. As Elswood rightly explained, “It just made the perfect ending for an amazing group of ladies who gave everything, wanted it more and thoroughly deserved it.” Elswood took time out to thank TUST for their sponsorship and he had this to say to the fans, “We would like to thank the amazing support from the Yellow Army who cheered us on and to TUCST for providing our incredible mascots in their yellow and blue kit.” The team will be bringing the cup home to Plainmoor on Saturday with the squad looking forward to thanking the fans for their support in their historic cup victory. ************ The second cup winners of the weekend were Chris Todd’s Under-18s who completed a league and cup double with their 2-1 win over Bridgwater Town thanks to goals from Theo Cadby and the winner from Ben Aldous; they too will show off their trophy at the Maidenhead match. What next for the Women? A permanent home - Plainmoor? - and a permanent manager would be a start. And for the Under-18s? They have the Devon Youth Cup Final to play and maybe some of the players are hoping for a professional contract. *********** As regular readers of this column know TUST has been heavily involved in the Fans-Led Review with terrific support from Torbay MP Kevin Foster. Well this week the Government announced its intention to introduce a White Paper in the summer to introduce an independent football regulator. Their support for former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch’s review does not stop there as Crouch explains, ”I am exceptionally pleased the Government has accepted or supported all the strategic recommendations of the review, including committing to legislation for a statutory independent regulator which will regulate financial resilience as well as ownership of clubs.” The White Paper will, the Government explains, ‘set out plans for a greater role for fans in the day-to-day running of clubs and a bigger say on changes to their club.’ Crouch sums up the decision by saying, “This is an enormous step forward in providing much needed reform for football.” Now we await a time scale. ************ In the National League average attendances for the season Torquay sit in eighth place with 2,573 well behind Wrexham who top this list with 8,534 whose figures would, if compared with League 2 clubs, place them third. The full top ten League 2/National League are: Bradford City 15,443, Swindon Town 9,182, Wrexham, Bristol Rovers 7,378, Notts County 6,866, Stockport County 6,614, Tranmere Rovers 6,525, Chesterfield 6,177, Port Vale 6,088 and Southend 5,834. ************* Congratulations to Taunton Town who clinched promotion to National South with a 2-1 home win over close challengers Farnborough in front of a best of the season 2,303. Next year the National League will be joined by Oldham Athletic, the first ex-Premier League team to go into non-league and Scunthorpe United. Your number one player to re-sign? Shaun MacDonald, followed by Armani Little and Joe Lewis. Keep your votes coming in to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter:@fanszonet Maidenhead next up at Plainmoor but come and thank the Women’s side and Under-18s. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on May 7, 2022 9:03:05 GMT
6th May 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. UNITED’S DAGENHAM JINX CONTINUES AND WHICH PLAYERS WILL PLAINMOOR SEE FOR THE LAST TIME ON SATURDAY? Bank Holiday’s 0-0 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge did neither team any favours as the home side dropped two points in their quest to join the play-off group especially as the side they’re chasing, Chesterfield, lost at home to title favourites Stockport County while Torquay’s hopes of gatecrashing the party effectively ended a week ago at Grimsby. And certainly not helped with a draw on Saturday against lowly Maidenhead. This game, rather like the events in London on Monday, came to life in the final five minutes when a header from Joe Lewis, his sixth goal of the season, from virtually on the goal-line heralded a United bombardment on the visitors’ defence with late chances for Lolos and Wright. This was the ninth National League match against Dagenham since both clubs fell out of the EFL and was the third goalless draw between the two sides, in fact there have been few goals, January’s 2-2 at Plainmoor only being ‘bettered’ by Dagenham’s 3-0 victory back in February 2018. Unfortunately, Dagenham have won four of these nine games against United’s single victory. *********** As this column mentioned recently, it’s this time of the year that fans begin speculating on the club’s retained list, which players will the manager move on and which players will be offered new contracts. Of course it’s not easy to judge as players’ contracts are kept firmly behind closed doors. However, manager Gary Johnson did give some clues after Saturday’s match when he said, “We’ll lose a few….somebody else has decided to nick’em off us again.” Who could he mean? Will the visit of Chesterfield, whose fall from the top has been spectacular, along with the BT Sport cameras, on Saturday see the Yellow Army say farewell to the likes of Armani Little, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Joe Lewis and Shaun MacDonald? If it’s inevitable that some of the better players are tempted away, as happened last year, to sideways moves, Johnson tells us he has this covered: “Stick with us, we’ve got some marquee players coming in.” ********** In Saturday’s matchday magazine there’s a feature on Joe Lewis when he says, “It’s great as a player to look forward to playing at home as much as I do. To be greeted by Plainmoor’s atmosphere as we walk out of the tunnel at the start of games is a huge reason why I love the game so much.” Lewis also has this to say about the Yellow Army, “For a club that has to travel such long distances to most of our away games, the following that we take away and the noise that they make is inspiring.” Lewis was not only Man of the Match on Saturday, he made the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day and was named by Nigel Tabb, on BBC Radio Devon, Man of the Match at Dagenham. Interesting that he, Little, Lemonheigh-Evans, MacDonald are all in contention for Player of the Season, along with Dean Moxey and Ben Wynter. It could be a close run contest. Results are to be announced after the Chesterfield match. ********** National League/ Non-League Crowd Watch: On Saturday 9,200 turned up to watch Wrexham win 1-0 and move closer to leaders Stockport County who surprisingly lost at home to Boreham Wood in front of 8,778. On Bank Holiday Monday over 2,500 Stockport fans travelled to Chesterfield to see County win 1-0 with 9,198 present while Notts County won in front of 6,523. ********** Triple scoop for Chris Todd’s Under-18s as they emphatically won the Devon FA Under-18 Youth Cup on Sunday with a 6-0 victory over Tavistock at Coach Road. These lads added the trophy to the league and cup double already achieved. Todd, echoing Gary Johnson’s mantra for his side to entertain, had this to say to his players, “I want you to go out there and perform like you have all season and impress people because that’s what they do, they entertain people.” Are we hopefully about to produce some players worthy of professional contracts and on a pathway to first team football? If so, all credit to Clarke Osborne’s support of a football academy developing home grown talent. Think of players like Matt Jay and Ollie Watkins who slipped through the net. ************* A recent Fans’ Zone question concerned reasons for staying away from Plainmoor - only 2,148 to watch at the weekend - and a familiar answer was no sale of tickets at the turnstiles. Bearing in mind Torbay’s ageing population a survey by the Royal Society of Arts found four million people who are over 65 are reliant on cash. Caroline Abrahams of Age UK said, “Not all older people are online or have a smartphone and others have health conditions or disabilities that make cash easier to use.” Although many venues during the height of the pandemic introduced cashless facilities, there is no evidence to suggest cash poses a more significant covid safety issue than digital currency. “Cashless polices are detrimental to the elderly.” *********** Bumped into Kevin Hill at Plainmoor on Saturday as he was still celebrating his Exmouth Town side’s promotion from the Western League, as runners-up, to the Southern League and congratulations too to Plymouth Parkway whose second successive promotion following their 3-0 victory over Cinderford Town in front of a record 1,362 saw them win the Southern League Division 1 title moving up into Step 3. *********** Joining the National League next season from National North will be Gateshead managed by ex-Gull Mike Williamson while another ex-Gull Hakan Hayrettin’s Maidstone United will be joining from National South after a huge 3,774 saw them clinch the title. *********** Should you be making a trip to London during the close season you should make your way to the Design Museum, London W8 where you can view George Best’s boots from 1958, the first referee’s whistle from 1884 plus all kinds of football memorabilia through the ages. The exhibition is open until August 29th. *********** Readers’ responses show fans would want to see Little, MacDonald, Lewis, Wynter, Moxey and Lemonheigh-Evans in a United shirt again next season. Time will tell if any or all will be at Plainmoor again. Who did you vote your Player/Young Player of the season? Send your names to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet Don’t forget, Saturday’s last home match v Chesterfield kicks-off at 12.30pm. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on May 13, 2022 6:08:56 GMT
12th May 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. UNITED’S IF ONLY SEASON DRAWS TO A CLOSE BUT SINCLAIR COOKS UP A GREAT IMPRESSION AS WEMBLEY HEROES MEET AGAIN The race for the National League title couldn’t be closer after Wrexham’s Sunday lunchtime 3-0 emphatic victory in front of a whopping 10,118 (including 1,200 away fans) over a wobbling Stockport County, making it four defeats in the last six for the visitors who then faced a Torquay United side on Wednesday, the Gulls playing not only for pride but also for some, contracts. With a slightly patched up side, well certainly in mid-field, the Gulls held out for an hour before the home side’s pressure from 9,407 paid off as £300,000 striker Paddy Madden scored the decisive goal to put Stockport in touching distance of a long awaited return to the EFL. The destination of the title will be decided on Sunday and which of the two sides will the Yellow Army be pleased to see the end of for next season? The answer may well be, of course, both! ********** United’s comprehensive 2-0 win over fast falling seventh placed Chesterfield only underlined what might have been in front of the BT Sport cameras. If only Gary Johnson’s side had ‘clicked’ well before the December resurgence taking forty-six points from twenty-four matches - that’s promotion form. Johnson, before Saturday’s last home game of the season, underlined the importance of the players and the club showcasing what Plainmoor and Torquay could offer a TV audience and he wasn’t to be disappointed. CEO George Edwards’ meticulous eye for detail ensured all was fit for those watching at home as well as those in the 3,075 crowd as the pitch was in perfect condition while Johnson’s squad played at the top of their game. The manager always cries out for his team to entertain, well they did this royally and he could go home up the M5 proud of his team’s performance in the final home game of the season. It was a carnival type after game atmosphere as the players, along with their children, and management thanked the Yellow Army and vice versa. With this feel-good factor in mind the club have not surprisingly announced season ticket prices for the 2022-23 campaign and Gulls’ fans have until Friday June 3 to take advantage of Early Rate Discounts. For all the details go to www.torquayunited.com. ********** Surely owner Clarke Osborne must be fired up to back Johnson for that EFL promotion push with the prospects and the momentum looking good for next season. And that seems to be confirmed with the club statement, ‘We are as committed as ever to regaining its place back in the EFL, so let’s make 2022-23 that season!’ Although it’s still speculation which players the Plainmoor faithful saw for the last time, there’s no doubt Stephen Duke-McKenna will not be seen again and he signed off with a brilliant piece of skill opening the scoring in the 70th minute with a sublime piece of skill before his left foot planted his shot past the Chesterfield keeper. Armani Little’s 15th goal of the season from the penalty spot might have been a soft award but Jim Kellerman’s tug may have been just retribution for his earlier elbow, unpunished, into Asa Hall’s face sending him to hospital in an ambulance with a broken nose and concussion. Surely a red card offence, as shown by the TV cameras, with the referee close by and watching. *********** Plainmoor was the place to be on Saturday with a Wembley Dream Duo reunion and former loanees Sam Sherring and Adam Randell in attendance watching. Which Torquay fan can forget May 17 2009? That was the date of the Blue Square Premier play-off final between United and Cambridge United played in front of 35,089. Step forward the two Torquay legends, the goalscorers of that memorable afternoon Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills who helped United to return to the Football League, re-united in the Family Stand. Sills was there with his family for the weekend while Hargreaves was working for BT Sport, Sills confirmed to the Fans’ Zone that he’d had a great season with his Hamworthy United side taking them to the FA Vase semi-finals before being knocked out on penalties. Hargreaves, meanwhile, having left his coaching role at Bristol Rovers, is searching for another job in football and speaking to the Fans’ Zone said maybe a manager’s role is not far off. Pleased to say he reads this column. ********** Remembering another date? May 8 2004 was the last day of the 2003-04 season with Leroy Rosenior’s side at Roots Hall needing to beat Southend and rivals Huddersfield not to win at Cheltenham to gain automatic promotion out of Division Three. The Gulls raced into a 2-0 lead with strikes from Steve Woods and David Graham. The hosts grabbed a goal back while Huddersfield took the lead but Cheltenham snatched a late equaliser to send United up amongst huge celebrations from the travelling 1,800 Yellow Army. It was a fantastic afternoon which will last long in the memory. Tony Cottee was there for Sky Sports Gillette Soccer Saturday reporting on the match. ********** Talking of ex-Gulls Paul Hall runs the QPR academy and he has been instrumental in sending us The Duke and earlier Sinclair Armstrong, any more like them next season will be very welcome. Armstrong told West London Sport about how his loan spell on the English Riviera helped him to cook. He admitted he had to grow up fast since moving to London from Dublin eighteen months ago but moving down to Torquay for three months was a huge step forward in his development. “When I went over to Torquay I didn’t even know how to cook and when you are there on your own you learn these life skills that you need when you grow up.” So, Torquay for sun, sea and cooking! Wonder what’s his speciality! *********** They love their football on Tyneside, what about this for an attendance record? Newcastle Women on their debut at St. James’ Park, winning 4-0, attracted a crowd of 22,134. Neighbours Sunderland in their League 1 Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg drew 44,742 - another record. *********** Last week we asked how you voted for your players of the season and it was too close to call, Well on Saturday after the match we found out - Shaun MacDonald as Player of the Season and Joe Lewis as Young Player. Let’s hope both will be in 1899 shirts once again in August. Will you be renewing your season ticket? Send your yes or no to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet Should contracts still be up for grabs, Ali Omar did his chances no harm with a bright display which saw him in the Vanarama Team of the Week. United finish their season at Southend on Sunday and maybe a chance for Moyse and Slough to show their potential - safe travels to the Yellow Army. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on May 22, 2022 9:36:26 GMT
21st May 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. UNITED’S RETAINED LIST SHEDS LITTLE LIGHT ON ANY DEPARTURES WHILE SAM’S 122 LAPS OF PLAINMOOR HELP TO SET UP A JUNIOR DISABILITY LEAGUE Yesterday’s retained list released by the club shows thirteen squad members have been offered contracts alongside three still in contract, keeper Mark Halstead who came good when called upon recently but for most supporters surprisingly Gabby Rogers and Keelan O’Connell. Rogers spending much of the season out on loan and O’Connell finding National League football a challenge. Of course, the wait is now on to see how many of the thirteen will sign again. There are strong indications that Connor Lemonheigh-Evans is on his way to join Stockport and several of the others are likely to be tempted away. It promises to be an interesting few weeks ahead. ********* With nothing riding on the match, other than pride to finish the National League season, Torquay United and Southend played out a 1-1 draw on Sunday in front of 6,294 while those watching on BT Sport saw Stockport County crowned champions but more importantly booked their return to the EFL after an absence of eleven years, much of which was spent in National North. The carnival atmosphere was bolstered by an attendance of 10,307. When manager Dave Challinor took over, County were tenth but with the help of a hefty budget, the former Hartlepool boss found that winning formula, something United’s Gary Johnson is anxious to re-create in 2022-23 after, by his standards, a disappointing eleventh place finish. Too many times this season Johnson’s side have dominated their opponents in the first half of matches, creating chance after chance but failing to capitalise, then only to run out of steam in the second half. Sunday’s ‘dead-rubber’ was a case in point where the three points should have been wrapped up inside the first forty-five minutes. On too few occasions the team have clicked for both halves as witness the home game of the season, the 5-1 demolition of Notts County. In the end Torquay fell eight points short of claiming a play-off spot but with fourteen defeats for the season, that’s four more than Stockport, those ‘missing’ twelve points would have seen United comfortably playing for that final EFL place. As it is Wrexham, for all their spending power, only finishing one point ahead of third team Solihull Moors together with FC Halifax, Notts County, Grimsby and Chesterfield, who clung on to seventh watched by 9,013, are battling it out through the lottery of the play-offs for that ‘golden ticket’. Once again, the focus should be on the National League being granted a third promotion so that there’s three up, three down between it and League 2, something which Gary Johnson has been advocating for a long time. Maybe this can be achieved in the near future once the Fan-Led Review recommendations appear in a Government White Paper announced in the Queen’s Speech when the Prince of Wales opened the new Parliament last week. ********** Step forward fund raiser and long-term Torquay supporter Sam Balsdon. It was almost three years ago, May 23 2019, that Sam, in his quest to raise £2,500 to cover the wheelchair section of the away end of Bristow’s Bench, ran an astonishing 122 laps of Plainmoor. Manager Gary Johnson joked at the time, “This is probably a lot more than most of the players have done this season, even though we’re still the [National South] champions.” Balsdon added, “It was about raising money for the disabled section, particularly the away end, because the home end has been done.” When the pandemic hit any work was put on hold and eventually the club carried out the project but that left around £1,500 from the sponsorship funds. TUST is pleased to announce, after much discussion, that these funds will set up a first ever Junior Disability League in conjunction with the Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST) under manager Matt Anthony. The first event will take place at the Paignton Community & Sports Academy on Saturday June 11 starting at 10am. TUCST are looking to run four events over the remainder of 2022. Anthony said, “We are delighted to finally have in place a start date for this brand new Disability League and are grateful to Sam and TUST. Running these events for Juniors with Special Educational Needs will provide opportunities for participants to take part in competitive and friendly matches, allowing individuals to showcase their talent and ability.” Good to see the Club encouraging families to Plainmoor, with the emphasis on the younger generation to become long-term fans, through next season’s ticketing policy. With Under-18 season tickets available at the Early Discount rate of £100 and Under-12s for just £46 - that’s £2 per home game - there are no excuses for not snapping these up. ********** With marquee signings on the horizon, season 2022-23 promises to be exciting and, just maybe, the season we’ve been longing for after that play-off final disappointment. Who’s joining the National League? We know Oldham Athletic and Scunthorpe United are dropping down from League 2, Gateshead from National North and Maidstone United from National South but which other two? The North play-off final is between two former football league sides York City and Boston United. Back in February York were 15th in the table but have put in a great late charge; their eliminator 2-1 win over Chorley drew 6,394. On Saturday they beat Brackley, who finished second and 21 points ahead of York, in the semi-final. The South play-off final is between Dorking Wanderers, who finished second and third placed Ebbsfleet United who put out Elliot Benyon’s Oxford City. Both finals will be played on Saturday. *********** It’s the time of the year for presenting awards. Norfolk Gull Pete Groom, with TUST’s support, helped organise the first ever Yellow Army Exiles’ Away Player of the Season with the winner, Shaun MacDonald, awarded his trophy after Sunday’s game at Southend. TUST’s Ian Twitchin Trophy, given to the United player who’s made the most appearances goes to Ben Wynter, who played in every game - an impressive feat. Best goal of the Season? Surely Joe Lewis’s strike in the home match against Wealdstone. Congratulations to ex-Gull Chris Hargreaves on his appointment as the next manager at Yeovil Town. Exeter City and Southend have already sold 2,000 season tickets, so for Gulls’ fans to catch up a few decent signings in the next couple of weeks would give sales a boost. What do you do to occupy your time in the close season? Gardening, DIY, cricket, bowls? Let me know: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet. COYY! JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on May 25, 2022 21:09:55 GMT
25th May 2022 TUST END OF SEASON NEWSLETTER 2021-22 Dear Members, The Gulls’ season may have finished but as supporters reflect on the disappointment of missing out on the play-offs and start to speculate on new signings, TUST can look back on another busy year. Football is an all year round sport these days and that applies to supporters’ trusts too, with plenty to keep them busy over the summer. As you are well aware, the aim of supporters' trusts is to continuously monitor and support the longer term sustainability, governance and heritage of our nation’s community football clubs. In many cases, particularly where clubs are in crisis, this future stability has depended not only on the support of the fan base, but also on their democratic, representative organisations. In most cases this has been the club's independent supporters' trust working together with supporters in ensuring the above. Most significantly, the sense of importance clubs hold within their local areas as a community asset and the ownership of the actual ground has a major role to play in sustainability. To this end, your TUST board has continued to develop its efficacy over the last season by: Holding monthly TUST board meetings. Developing possible action plans using others’ professional advice should the club need ‘saving’ or restructuring, which we would present to everyone if the need ever arose. Developing these through meetings of our professionally led Strategy team. Obviously we would all prefer never to have the need to move them forward, but it is good to be prepared as hindsight is often too late. Keeping in regular contact with the FSA and other fellow trusts, particularly through the South West Supporters Trust Group meetings. Furthermore, meeting with local councillors and with our MP, whilst also talking and listening to other important friends of TUFC. As has been widely publicised, we have been closely involved with developing and supporting the Government Independent Fan-Led Review. This culminated with a TUST delegation meeting with the IFLR chairman, ex sports minister Tracey Crouch MP and our local MP, Kevin Foster, in Parliament recently. This was particularly to feedback the impact the IFLR might have on well supported, non-league community based clubs such as ours. Since then, the IFLR has been included in the Queen’s Speech, the recommendations receiving full cross-party support in Parliament, which means that the next step is a White Paper to move this towards being passed as statutory law. This will include establishing an Independent Regulator and panel, who will legally oversee the governance of football clubs, be they privately, supporter or community owned. Supporters will also be given a greater voice, for example in terms of decisions relating to the heritage and location of their clubs. Secondly, as part of our remit, TUST has also continued to be there to represent supporters concerns and suggestions to the club. Sadly, the club executive have declined to meet with us in person despite our best efforts to foster positive relations. Our recent communications have therefore been in writing, as you have been regularly updated upon. For example the widely discussed new ticketing arrangement concerns and their impact on inclusion. Whilst also working to develop, in support of the club, the awareness of TUFC’s value within the community and its linked organisations through outreach. Examples of this within the last year include:- The TUFC Inspirations (disability) team receiving full kit and home training equipment from TUST, run by TUCST. The TUCST mini, below 6 years old, mixed football group receiving new tailor made mini-goals from TUST. The TUFC Women’s team receiving a full grant from TUST to purchase new tracksuits for next season as sponsorship. Weekly Fans’ Zone articles in the Herald Express and to members by Nick Brodrick, our Supporter Liaison Officer on all things TUFC as well as related football news. Regular updates to members via Facebook and Twitter, including advertising the club and corporate members when requested. Publicising TUST on Devonlive and other online ‘Live’ publications throughout the UK during March and currently on Palm Torbay Radio. 0ffering to support other linked TUFC supporter groups, as appropriate. Sponsoring the TUST Ian Twitchin Memorial shield and trophy. Likewise, sponsoring the new TUFC exile supporters’ Away Player of the Season Award. There are other initiatives currently in the pipeline. This is what your basic 50p a week subscription pays for, and thank you to those that can volunteer more! Not only the above, but half of your fees go into the substantial contingency fund as outlined earlier. This has been established, as directed by you, in order to be ready to coordinate an action or business plan to protect our club’s future, if ever the need unfortunately arises. This would be irrespective of whether the club was in private, supporter or community ownership. It would also obviously create a platform to involve our members and anyone with TUFC’s longer term sustainability and heritage at heart. Have a great summer and do keep contacting us if you have any suggestions or concerns. info@tust.co.uk We are always here for our club! Best wishes, Michel Thomas Chair, on behalf of the TUST board The TUST sponsored Ian Twitchin Shield and Trophy for the player making most appearances and awarded this season to Ben Wynter who played every minute of every game. JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 3, 2022 16:52:51 GMT
3rd June 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. WHO’S IT FOR YOU? GRIMSBY OR SOLIHULL FOR EFL PROMOTION? NEXT SEASON’S NATIONAL LEAGUE FULL OF EX-LEAGUE CLUBS SO TIME FOR LEAGUE 3? With the eliminators over in mid-week and the two semi-finals played over the weekend, we now know the two teams battling it out in the National League Play-Off Final this Sunday at the London Stadium, home of West Ham and famously the scene for the 2012 Olympics. Step forward Grimsby Town and Solihull Moors. But is this the right ground for fans of these two teams to access, and on Jubilee Sunday? The pricing too is excessive, between £40 and £45 with no concessions, compare this with £26 for the League 2 play-off final at Wembley. No wonder the league’s sponsors, Vanarama, have stepped in with a donation of £20,000 for each side’s supporters to help subsidise costs. The two semi-finals produced thirteen goals, nine of which were at the Racecourse ground where Grimsby won a thriller 5-4 with ironically their winner, in the final minutes of extra time, scored from a long throw-in, just to show what Wrexham use as a weapon, Grimsby could do better. Town boss Paul Hurst is no stranger to the National League having taken Grimsby up into the EFL in 2016 so, can he do it again? They certainly must be favourites but underdogs Solihull, who have never been a football league team, have a switched on manager in Neal Ardley; oh how Notts County may wish they hadn’t sacked him. It promises to be a tantalising finale to the 2021-22 season and there are likely to be many willing Solihull to succeed. ************ Next season the National League is back to its full quota of twenty-four teams, fourteen of which are former football league sides strengthening the argument for three up, three down between it and League 2. Several months ago the league’s General Manager, Mark Ives, told this column that there were talks between the two leagues to discuss such a topic, so we should be told how these discussions are progressing. One of the most impressive facts of this season has been the attendance figures with many higher than crowds in Leagues 1&2. Notts County had over 12,000 for their eliminator, nearly 10,000 for Wrexham’s semi-final while Solihull created a new record on Sunday. These crowd numbers add weight to the clamour for more automatic promotion places. With the likely implementation of the Fan-Led Review on the horizon, with a Government White Paper out in the summer, new initiatives for football’s future could herald all kinds of changes to how football is governed and whether it’s more places for EFL status from the National League or turn it into League 3 remains an option that isn’t going to go away. What does seem certain is the introduction of an independent football regulator whose first task will be to channel more of the Premier League’s money into lower league clubs, there’s talk of taking up to 25% of its broadcast revenues - and potentially 10 per cent of top flight transfer fees. EFL chairman Rick Parry said, “The EFL would support the introduction of an independent statutory-backed regulator, if it provided the means by which we can deliver a reset of the game’s finances.” Not everyone in football is happy with the idea of a regulator while others are urging the Government to set up a proper timetable as, at the moment, plans are rather vague. As the Football Supporters’ Association says, “Each day drafting White Papers is another day when a club might cease to exist. Another day for a dodgy owner to get their hooks into a club. Another day for remote billionaires to try to create European Super League 2.0. The FSA urges the Government to move fast and legislate now.” Nadine Dorries, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said, “We will introduce reforms to corporate governance to mitigate the financial mismanagement of recent years and support fans having a veto over any changes involving vital parts of their club’s heritage and identity - like stadium, colours and badge. We are also working on plans to give fans a greater role in the day-to-day running of clubs.” ********** With the National League AGM coming soon there should be plenty there on the agenda for clubs to discuss especially final decisions on whether to introduce a salary cap. Will the big spending from certain clubs this last campaign be knocked on the head? Stockport and one other may well have left but potentially big clubs in York, Oldham and Scunthorpe are joining the likes of Wrexham and Chesterfield who both made mouthwatering signings last season. ********** Having asked last week about pre-season friendlies, being used as a marketing ploy for ticket sales, the club has announced three matches against EFL opposition which should provide a sterner test than last year’s hastily put together fare. Matches at Plainmoor against Newport County, Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City ought to give Johnson’s new look squad decent workouts. And prices for entry are pretty competitive as adults can gain entry for £10 (£8 concessions) but season ticket holders get in for half-price. With pre-season training drawing closer, the new 2022-23 season kicks off on August 6, a few proven National League or above players putting pen to paper would be welcome; maybe Mrs Johnson has been providing some of her famous afternoon tea parties to help persuade players to sign! ********* Whilst both Notts County and FC Halifax gave it their best shots to return to the EFL at least their respective managers, Ian Burchnall and Pete Wild, have done with Burchnall taking over at Forest Green Rovers and Wild at Barrow. Will Wrexham stick with Phil Parkinson and Chesterfield with Paul Cook? ********** Congratulations to the Torquay United Development team becoming champions of the Devon Women’s League Western Division after a 2-1 win over Teignmouth. Women’s football at Torquay has never been higher, well done to all those involved. ********** Keep the goals - posts and crossbars - as they are now but what to do about pitch invasions caused greater interest with the majority believing clubs failing to control their fans should be punished by playing future fixtures behind closed doors. The number to be decided depending on the severity of the incident. This week, which team would you like to see win Sunday’s final, Grimsby or Solihull? Send your choice to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 11, 2022 18:00:13 GMT
9th June 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. THREE UP THREE DOWN ON THE WAY? AND WHY WAIT UNTIL JULY FOR NEW SIGNINGS? WHEN IS A MARQUEE NOT A MARQUEE? Last week’s column led the way with asking about three up, three down between the National League and League 2 reporting that the league’s General Manager, Mark Ives, had told Fans’ Zone some weeks ago that talks had started well. This week Ives has given an encouraging update. “We’ve made it clear three up, three down is something we would like to pursue,” said Ives. “Absolutely, we are having open dialogue about it. It would be fairer and more fitting for our competition [next season there’ll be 15 ex-football league clubs]. It is a matter for the EFL and it has to have discussions with its clubs but is it something it is willing to have dialogue over? I think so.” Regarding the implementation of a salary cap, Ives has hinted that, although discussions are continuing, it is unlikely, in the short term, that any changes will be agreed [at their next AGM]. ******** If ever a team deserved to regain their place back in the EFL doing it the hard way through the play-off system, it was Grimsby Town, one of only a few clubs who have returned at the first attempt. Although finishing the proper season in sixth, they won their eliminator round 3-2 at Notts County after extra time, they defeated Wrexham on their own turf 5-4 after extra time, the winning goal the result of a long throw-in and on Sunday clinched promotion, again after extra time, 2-1 over Solihull Moors with that vital second goal coming from yet another long throw. Just goes to show the importance of set pieces. All Torquay fans would love to see more productive corners and free kicks in the new season. Anyway, readers of this column voted for Grimsby to win the final and so congratulations to Paul Hurst, the Grimsby manager, who’s now taken his side back into the football league for the second time in six years. ******** What does it take to get out of the National League? Torquay United have done it once, in 2009, with a Wembley Play-Off Final 2-0 victory over Cambridge United and came oh so close last year. In season 2008-09 in the then called Blue Square Premier the Gulls finished fourth with 83 points, Burton Albion, champions that campaign ended up with 88 points. Let’s just look at the number of points needed to be champion and automatic promotion over recent years: 2021-22: Stockport County 89, 2020-21: Sutton United 81, 2019-20: Barrow 67 (due to Covid this was a curtailed season), 2018-19: Leyton Orient 87, 2017-18 Macclesfield 83, 2016-17 Lincoln City 96, 2015-16 Gary Johnson’s Cheltenham 90. So, if Johnson’s Torquay have any aspirations to re-join the EFL for 2023-24 then these are the kinds of points totals they must strive to achieve. But with a pretty major squad re-build it’s going to be a massive challenge. ********** Interesting stats compiled by Thomas Wagstaff about the number of National League appearances each champion winning squads had for that promotion winning success: 2021-22: Stockport County 1762 games, 2020-21: Sutton United 1304, 2019-20: Barrow 951, 2018-19: Leyton Orient 1224, 2017-18: Macclesfield 1514, 2016-17: Lincoln City 1942, 2015-16: Cheltenham 774 compare these figures with Torquay’s total National League figure for last season: 941 appearances. This would strongly suggest that Johnson’s summer recruitment needs a number of experienced National League/former EFL players alongside those gems he’s hoping to turn into marquee level. And on this point why is it that there won’t be any signings, according to a recent interview the United boss gave, until July 1 when other National League sides have already announced new recruits? Stockport’s released skipper Liam Hogan joining Oldham along with Crewe striker Chris Porter and Notts County signing Gateshead’s top scorer - and top National North marksman - Macaulay Langstaff, while Scott Boden joins York City from Boreham Wood. ********* Then there were two: Asa Hall and Olaf Koszela are the only two left at Plainmoor from the National South championship winning squad following last week’s released/retained list. Since when it’s been confirmed that fans’ favourites Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Shaun MacDonald,(Player of the Year and TUST’s Exiles’ Away Player of the Year) ,Armani Little snapped up by Forest Green Rovers in League 1, Ben Wynter (TUST’s Ian Twitchin award winner), Danny Wright who’s signed for Havant & Waterlooville to join Jake Andrews and Joe Lewis, have turned down new contract offers. While it is disappointing to lose so many in one go, it does leave manager Johnson with a blank canvas and hopefully a competitive budget to entice a number of good quality, experienced replacements. With the first pre-season match on July 8 and the new season beginning on August 6, that’s only 59 days away to put together a team that can be a top seven challenger, it certainly needs to get off to a better start than last year’s new look side. Catching up, as the squad tried last season, doesn’t work unless you have terrific good luck. ********** Ex-Gull striker Billy Waters looks to be moving from FC Halifax to re-join his manager at Barrow this week. Of course what a difference it would be if United could produce their own marquee players. A few years ago owner and chairman Clarke Osborne wanted to re-establish the club’s youth system. And to be fair, with the appointment of Chris Todd, the youth set up has seen the Under-18s achieve unprecedented success but the recent loss of promising goalkeeper Matt Wonnacott, 16, to Wigan has underlined the pitfalls of not having a proper academy. And now comes news of Todd leaving to join up with Chris Hargreaves at Yeovil. As an EFL club, clubs receive EPPP funding to run an academy (as long as they have a covered training area), or a centre of excellence. Torquay, having closed their youth centre in 2007, missing out on lucrative transfer deals for the likes of Keiffer Moore and Ollie Watkins, don’t have an academy anymore. Theirs is a Pro-Direct version attached to South Devon College with players/parents having to pay for their football. And in the case of Wonnacott, 17 is the youngest age a player can be offered a professional contract. There are a lot of FA rules regarding players’ contracts of employment aged 16-18 and if Torquay are ever to cash in on promising talent they need to regain EFL status pretty quickly. In the meantime Exeter City have seen work start on their £2.9m Cliff Hill training ground upgrade, money generated from Watkins’ sell-on clause when he moved from Brentford to Aston Villa. Also look out for ambitious French club PSG who are setting up academies in the UK, the latest, the twentieth, near Cardiff opening in 2023. They’re state-of-the-art, football pitches, therapeutic pools, 15 classroom school, library, accommodation for 180 and a 3,000 seat stadium. ******** This week it’s back to the popular Three Word Fun. How would you sum up the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in three words for you? Send yours to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 17, 2022 21:34:22 GMT
17th June 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. TUST HELPS LAUNCH THE NEW JUNIOR DISABILITY LEAGUE AND SPONSORS TONIGHT’S LEGENDS OF THE LEROY ERA. PLUS "DON’T PANIC" SAYS UNITED BOSS GARY JOHNSON It might be the close season but the Torquay United Supporters’ Trust (TUST) have been busy working hard, as is its remit, to be involved in projects with the local community. On Saturday, TUST along with the Torquay United Community Sports’ Trust (TUCST) organised the first ever Junior Disability League held at the Paignton Community & Sports Academy. There are around 50 boys and girls, aged from 5 years old, already signed up with the support of their enthusiastic parents and carers who will benefit from this new initiative. It has come about thanks to the amazing fund raising of long-term Gulls’ supporter Sam Balsdon who ran 122 laps of Plainmoor on a sponsored marathon back in 2019, at that time raising money to build a cover over the wheelchair away end of Bristow’s Bench. In the end the club completed this work during the Covid lockdowns so with around £1,500 in the kitty, helped by contributions from TUST members, it was decided to support TUCST’s Junior Inspirations Group. The sums raised have helped to pay for not only facility hire but also purchase of all the kit, including the distinctive yellow and blue footballs. TUCST manager Matt Anthony said, “This is an opportunity for participants to take part in competitive and friendly matches.” And his colleague Jake Topping added, “We had an exciting and fun morning, helping the kids to enjoy playing football.” The plan is, over the summer, to hold more sessions and TUCST welcomes any other children to come along and try it out - keep a look-out in the local press and schools for further information. Topping explained, “The idea is to help the juniors by providing a positive and safe environment to prepare them for competitive football, leading to the adult inspirations teams.” TUST chairman Michel Thomas said, “I would like to sincerely thank our TUST membership for their continuing support in reaching out to our local community with wonderful causes relating to our football club, such as this.” Let the last word go to the fund raiser, Sam Balsdon who was present at the inaugural opening, “It was personally a very moving moment to see this initiative coming to fulfilment. A lovely idea.” ********* Tonight Friday, June 17, TUST are also sponsoring another great idea, this time it’s the ‘Legends of the Leroy Era’ being run by the TalkingTorquay Pod. This event, a reunion of those key players who played under Leroy Rosenior’s promotion winning squad of season 2003-04, will be streamed live on YouTube from 7pm. You can see and hear not only Rosenior himself but also Martin Gritton, Kevin Hill, Alex Russell and Jo Kuffour. Tickets are still available at £10, register on Eventbrite, with all proceeds going to charity. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/legends-of-the-leroy-era-tickets-293152014567Last year a similar session, the ‘Legends of the Buckle Era’, raised £1,800. This year’s money is going to The Trussell Trust which supports a nationwide network of food banks providing emergency food and support to people in poverty in the UK. If you can’t watch live, you’ll be able to access a recording. ********* With the Government due to release a White Paper soon on Tracey Crouch’s Fan-Led Review, the FA and the Premier League separately, last week, held discussions, which seem to have gone under the radar, to pre-empt any likely sanctions imposed on them. At the Premier League’s clubs’ panel meeting one of the ideas put forward is a Fan Engagement standard. The proposal would lead to the introduction of Fan Advisory Boards within every Premier League club, with a nominated Board level official taking responsibility for the club’s fan engagement. The Premier League said, “These new standards will ensure long-term meaningful engagement with supporters.” The PL will consult with clubs and the Football Supporters’ Association to finalise the framework, with the aim to see its introduction next season. “Fans are the lifeblood of the game and are essential to their clubs” the spokesman added. Meanwhile the FA are looking into setting up a new board to act as an independent regulator, the key element of the Fan-Led Review, consisting of representatives from football, in particular grass-roots. This could prove popular with football’s two main governing bodies by setting up their own regulator rather than having one imposed. ********* So, how did the pundits do with their pre-season predictions for promotion back in 2021? Steve Harris: Chesterfield, Wrexham, Stockport Adam Virgo, BT Sport: Chesterfield, Stockport, Dagenham & Redbridge Fans’ Zone: Stockport, Chesterfield, Wrexham All three included champions Stockport County, not bad! ********* Gary Johnson told the Yellow Army to enjoy their summer holidays leaving him and his staff to worry about recruiting his new side. But in this age of social media there is forever speculation about potential targets and various names have been banded about. With the club releasing the latest photos of the work done on the pitch renovations, it’s looking top class, let’s hope the new intake will be looking forward to playing on it. It’s a green carpet. What we do know is the current make-up of those left: Keeper Mark Halstead; Defenders Dan Martin, Dean Moxey and Ali Omar; Midfielders Asa Hall, Tom Lapslie, Alex Moyse, Keelan O’Connell and Gabby Rogers; one Striker in Olaf Koszela. In the past week Danny Wright has moved on to National South Havant & Waterlooville, Armani Little has followed Notts County manager, Ian Burchnall, out of the National League and on to League 1 Forest Green Rovers and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans is moving his young family north to join newly promoted Stockport County. United’s third choice keeper, Marcin Brzozowski, has joined Southern League South Hendon. We await the destinations of Ben Wynter and probably Joe Lewis. ******** Last week’s Jubilee Three Word Fun produced some gems: Glorious Jubilee Weekend, Loads of Overtime, Prince Louis Shone, Bringing Everyone Together and Marmalade Returns, Hooray! The new National League season’s fixtures are out on Wednesday July 6. Kick-ins instead of throw-ins are to be trialled. What’s your view? Send yours to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 25, 2022 11:57:01 GMT
25th June 2022 FAN ZONE TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. TORQUAY UNITED TAKE THE WOMEN’S SIDE UNDER THEIR WING AS NEW BOSS STEVE ELSWOOD SPEAKS ABOUT HIS HOPES FOR THE NEW SEASON AND TIME WE HEARD FROM UNITED’S OWNER? Newly appointed Torquay United Women’s manager Steve Elswood has acted quickly to appoint his staff with Alan Wyatt, who has a wealth of experience in women’s football in Devon, working alongside him as well as Strength and Conditioning coach Clare Williams. Elswood, who stepped up as interim manager towards the end of last season, was in charge of the team’s historic Devon FA Women’s Cup Final penalty shoot-out victory over local rivals Exeter City back in April. In an exclusive interview Elswood told Fans’ Zone of his plans for the coming season starting with a list of pre-season friendlies running through July and August, the first of which is a tough fixture against National League Cardiff City, two divisions higher on Sunday July 10. Elswood reasons, “I prefer to test ourselves against a higher level team so we can learn more about ourselves and our opposition can give us that conditioning test we are looking for.” Other friendlies include matches against Portishead (H), Liskeard Athletic (A), Plymouth Argyle (H), Barry Town (H) and Weymouth Town (TBC). The manager has kept virtually the same squad from last season with a couple of new recruits replacing the departures as their aim is promotion. “We are very focused on an even more successful campaign with our Devon cup defence and promotion to the National League our priorities.” The Yellow Army will be able to see a lot more of the women’s squad at Plainmoor, maybe one day being able to play on the pitch. One big change will see the women’s side play in the same kit as the men’s team as the club takes the women under its wing. We certainly wish them a successful season. ********* There has been a notable rise in popularity in following the women’s game and this is likely to increase with the Euro Championships starting next month. England’s first fixture is at Old Trafford on July 6 against Austria, followed by Norway at the Amex Stadium on July 11 and Northern Ireland on July 15 at St Mary’s. ******** This time a year ago United owner and chairman Clarke Osborne had this to say after ‘that’ devastating play-off final disappointment, “Defeat is just a moment; it will not halt the Yellow Army.” He added, “It is one step on our journey that we have delayed until next season. A season where we will all give our best, work hard with determination to take the next step to Division 2.” Well, as we are all aware, after a difficult start Gary Johnson got his squad firing in the second half of the season but to no avail. This time around, with greater time to recruit to re-build, Johnson, in his latest interview, talks about ‘spinning plates’ with a number of possible deals up in the air. So, again fans have to be patient until any news comes out of Plainmoor next month. However, one player who looks to be signing is 20 year old winger Kieron Evans on loan from Cardiff City. In the meantime is it too much to ask Osborne for his plans for the club for the coming season? As fans we appreciate he chooses to remain in the background leaving the day-to-day operation of running the club to the two directors. However, a statement from the owner would not only be welcome but also reassuring. ********* Many supporters are disappointed to see the bulk of the side move on but as Johnson has said more than once, Torquay United is a transitional club, taking on players with prospects and turning them into ‘marquee’ players. It is comforting in a sense then to see the likes of Armani Little (Forest Green Rovers in League 1), and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans along with Joe Lewis joining League 2 Stockport County. Some reports estimate the compensation fee for Lewis to be as much as £50,000. Johnson’s staff should be pleased to have seen these players join EFL teams rather than, like last year’s leavers, move sideways to National League rivals. We still await to hear the destinations of Ben Wynter and Shaun MacDonald. Stockport boss Dave Challinor had this to say about Lemonheigh-Evans joining, “He’s been a standout player in the National League over the last two to three seasons and was highly sought after this summer. He has a great profile in terms of his age and playing attributes. This is a big move for him and his young family.” ********* Last week we asked - throw-ins replaced by kick-ins - what’s your opinion? The International Football Association Board (IFAB), at its annual meeting last week, agreed to setting up trials of FIFA’s Head of Global Development, Arsene Wenger’s proposal. It seems this is all to do with making the game quicker for the younger generation whose concentration spans are apparently limited. IFAB also confirmed plans to test the reduction of matches from 90 to 60 minutes - with the clock running only while the ball is in play. IFAB did, though, much to the anger of those who have been advocating their introduction, decide not to allow temporary substitutes for players taken off thought to have concussion. They did, however, agree that trial protocols should continue. Back in January this column reported on some sobering Premier League stats about the average ‘ball in play’ times, for 2021-22 this was 54 minutes 35 seconds. So should, as IFAB are to trial, matches be reduced to 60 minutes? Should we also see the return of ball boys at Plainmoor? Send your thoughts to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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