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Post by TUSTOfficial on Mar 3, 2023 14:13:10 GMT
CHAIRMAN'S NEWSLETTER MARCH 2023 Dear Member I last wrote to you in December to not only introduce myself but also, more importantly, to let you know about our preparations ‘for all eventualities’. As the only independent supporters’ group representing not only yourself but other Torquay United supporters, we are just as concerned about the current situation the club finds itself in, as I am sure you are. Let me now expand on this a little more. For some time the main TUST board has authorised a small sub-committee, as the Strategy Group, to consider various scenarios should the current owner decide on a different course of action. We have contingency plans in place should the club go into administration, liquidation or need to be relaunched as a phoenix club. These are supported by a considerable special fund to get the plans off the ground if needed. In addition, over the past few months, we have held meetings with trust representatives of Hereford FC, Scarborough Athletic and Southend United gaining insight into their particular experiences; we also have a close relationship with the Exeter City Supporters Trust learning from their takeover of their club. We have, too, regular conversations with the Football Supporters’ Association which has a wealth of experience in advising clubs facing such issues. Back in December I mentioned the hope that we could be renewing a meaningful dialogue with the club’s directors. Regular meetings between TUST officials and the club’s Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) broke down in September 2021 since when there has been no relationship. However, over the last twelve months I have held meetings with the directors trying to re-establish contact as this is an important part of our remit. I am pleased to report that at a recent meeting between myself, Mel Hayman and George Edwards, we agreed to re-start meetings with the club’s SLO, the first of which takes place next week. Whilst we cannot influence the playing side of the football club, Rick Williams, our Secretary, and myself will discuss a number of various topics: amongst them the implications of the Government’s Fan-Led White Paper, communications between the club and the fan base including ticketing and lack of information to supporters. We will, in time, endeavour to communicate any feedback, as appropriate, to you. Your membership is important to us and we thank you for your continued support. We are also pleased to represent as many Torquay United fans who wish us to do so and to this end I invite you to contact me on either info@tust.co.uk or fanszone.tu@gmail.com should you have anything you would like to raise or on match days you can find me standing by the corner flag by the Family Stand, opposite the food kiosk, for an hour before every home game. Please come up and have a chat, we value your opinions. Yours sincerely Nick Brodrick www.tust.co.uk/join-1 |
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Post by rjdgull on Mar 12, 2023 21:33:54 GMT
12th March 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. OH FOR A MARTIN GRITTON LEADING THE LINE MORE WOE ON THE ROAD AS UNITED LOSE AGAIN WOMEN’S SIDE TO PLAY AT PLAINMOOR What a frustrating afternoon at the EBB Stadium where Torquay United were held to a score draw by hosts Aldershot. It was frustrating listening to the live commentary on BBC Radio Devon and excellent summariser, ex-Gull Martin Gritton, who pulled no punches. His assessment of the performance was spot on and you could hear the frustration in his voice as chance after chance went begging. Whilst a draw stops the run of three defeats, in the club’s current situation only three points are good enough. And you can’t but help feel that had United a fresh forward on the bench to bring on, as Gritton highlighted, the win might have been secured. We are led to believe that Gary Johnson is still looking to bolster his squad and with De Silva and Crole returning to their parent clubs, QPR and Cardiff City respectively, taking into account the arrival of Kevin Dawson on loan from National North Gloucester City, there’s room for one more loan. ****** Twelve games to go, five at home and seven away but United have scored a miserable eleven goals away from Plainmoor, the joint worst, with Yeovil, in the league. In Saturday’s match United had a succession of corners but all came to nothing; seems that work needs to be done on set pieces in both penalty areas as the team still leaks goals. These continue to be worrying times for all the Yellow Army as points and matches slip by; Johnson needs to use all his managerial experience to find safety. Amazingly, Saturday’s results of other teams in the relegation zone all went in Torquay’s favour so it’s still all to play for. Sadly, Saturday’s draw was undone with a 3-2 defeat at Solihull Moors on Tuesday despite playing against ten men for the last 20 minutes. This after taking an early lead. Things are looking grim. ****** Congratulations to Aaron Jarvis, who after a slow start, has proven to be a reliable goal scorer with thirteen goals to date, and his efforts have been rewarded with a call-up to the England ‘C’ Squad to face Wales on March 21 at Altrincham. He’s in the provisional squad. Last season both Ben Wynter and Armani Little played in the corresponding fixture, losing 4-0. ****** Whilst it remains tight at the bottom of the table, the race for the title is proving to be a two horse race. During the week Notts County were surprisingly beaten at home and then snatched a late draw at Bromley on Saturday. Then, in the late kick-off Wrexham dropped two points after a terrible mix-up gifted Maidenhead an equaliser in time added on, scored by ex-Gull Shawn McCoulsky. ****** Based on average attendances a combined League 2 and National League top ten looks like this: 1. Bradford City 17,462 2. Wrexham 9,971 3. Swindon 9,009 4. Stockport 8,646 5. AFC Wimbledon 7,651 6. Leyton Orient 7,555 7. Notts County 7,391 8. Oldham 6,759 9. Chesterfield 6,736 10. Mansfield 6,684. National League Crowd Watch: Southend lost at home on Friday in front of 7,213, Oldham lost at home watched by 6,382. Bromley, Maidenhead and Yeovil all had bigger crowds than usual thanks to away fans - Notts County, Wrexham and Woking respectively. In National South Dulwich Hamlet, under new manager Hakan Heyrettin, got back to winning ways with 2,960 in attendance whilst Chester, in National North, looking for promotion had 2,491. This week let’s look at three matches in Step 5: Bury AFC had a 2-0 win over Northwich Victoria in front of 1,413, in the Wessex League Premier Fareham Town had a 2-2 draw with leaders AFC Porchester watched by 1,107 and 1,070 were at the Cherry Red Combined County’s League Premier South match between Farnham Town and Badshot Lea, the home side winning 2-1. Just shows how important non-league football is to football fans. ****** So, the Southend United saga is resolved, for the time being. For, although owner Ron Martin managed to pay off the debt to HMRC before the winding-up petition in the High Court last week, the Shrimpers Trust remain concerned about the club’s future. This story is destined to run for some time until a new owner steps in. In the meantime, at least the players have been paid up-to-date although a transfer embargo remains in place. Talking of new owners, this is what apparently has happened at Yeovil Town last week with the SU Glovers Group claiming to have taken over from Scott Priestnall. The new owners consist of former England rugby player Paul Sackey, Matt Uggla and his mother. How all this develops remains to be seen. ****** United’s Women go from strength to strength with another win on the road, this time a 2-0 victory over Warminster Ladies, thanks to goals from Esme Kilburn-Thompson and Tracey Cross, as they go for the title. They are now joint leaders with Bristol Rovers but second on goal difference, however, with a game in hand. So, it’s all to play for in what is proving to be an exciting finish with the team’s final home game being at Plainmoor on Sunday March 19 2pm kick-off. Being Mothering Sunday what better than a family afternoon out! United’s Under-18s made it seven wins in a row with a 4-0 success over Yeovil Town; prolific scorers Jayden Gilbert (2) and Ben Aldous (2) on target. ****** Those of you who subscribe to BT Sport be aware that in July it’s being re-branded as TNT Sports following a take-over of £600m by Warner Bros Discovery. No doubt re-pricing will swiftly follow. In answer to last week’s question, yes a good number clearly live stream United’s matches and of course you could get down to Boots & Laces on Tuesday night to watch the National League TV product. ****** Wins are really needed now so here’s fingers crossed the team recorded a rare three points away from home. Getting out of the bottom four remains tantalisingly close every game. Those of us who are fed up with time wasting, and not seeing 90 minutes of football, will be pleased to learn that FIFA, at a meeting of lawmakers, has ruled that matches from next season will follow the rules laid down in the World Cup. In future time will be added on for injuries, substitutions and celebrations meaning matches are likely to last 100+ minutes. In the World Cup an average of 11minutes 8secs were added. Average ball-in-play time in the World Cup was 60 minutes compared with 55 minutes currently in the Premier League. What’s your view on this? Not before time? Are referees brave enough to carry it out? 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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Post by rjdgull on Mar 16, 2023 22:43:20 GMT
16th March 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. DEAR GARY A HEARTFELT LETTER TO THE MANAGER AND PLAYERS TEN CUP FINALS AHEAD - CAN UNITED AVOID RELEGATION? HISTORIC SUNDAY AS UNITED WOMEN PLAY AT PLAINMOOR Dear Gary, I write this open letter to you and your playing squad as the recently installed chairman of the supporters’ trust, on behalf of the many faithful who follow Torquay United. This has not been the season all of us imagined back in August last year and I’m sure you’re as upset as we fans are - scratching our heads wondering where it all went wrong. The time for any inquests is still a little way off as we approach the final ten games of the season. A return to regional football and the potential of derby fixtures with Taunton Town is surely an incentive to find that magic formula to get us out of this mess. We’ve already tried lower league football as you well know and we would rather not go down that route again. Your better players surely aspire to playing in the Football League not lower league football. So, on behalf of loyal fans, who attend Plainmoor, and those unable to do so, but still regard the club as ‘their’ club, we back you and the players to find that extra 10%, or whatever it takes, to play for the shirt. As true fans we are hurting, as I’m sure you must be, and we would like the players to know this is a heartfelt plea. The gutsy performance on Saturday, playing the majority of the game a man short, showed that the players cared and the fans responded - and what player wants a relegation on his cv? The thought of the loss of national football with the likelihood of three-up, three-down soon as an easier pathway to the EFL and even becoming League 3, is too awful to contemplate if Torquay is not part of the set-up. Relegation could also mean the loss of jobs to club employees. I am sure you give a lot of thought to all this as you drive home up the M5, as I do after games, but we are all willing you and the players to succeed, after all we are #One Club #One Community. Good luck from TUST - and true supporters who follow their club through the good and bad times. Yours sincerely, Nick Brodrick. ***** Saturday’s defeat was another blow in the club’s efforts to stay in the National League but credit where credit is due, the ten men, which by the end included three substitutes, ran themselves into the ground showing yes, there is a real determination to rescue the season. It could have been all so different had Wealdstone’s eventful match winner, Micah Obiero, followed United’s Tom Lapslie for an early bath, after he kicked United’s brave keeper, Mark Halstead, in the face without the referee, Greg Rollason, giving yet another indifferent display, taking any action. It was a shocking piece of play and had it been a rugby match Halstead would have had to go off for a HIA. Those of us sitting in the Family Stand were pretty clear about what happened. Despite the loss, one glimmer of hope was the performance of ‘unfit’ Kevin Dawson who, certainly after Lapslie’s departure, added steel to the mid-field and, as important, leadership on the pitch, something the team has been lacking during Asa Hall’s lengthy absence - and boy was it good to see him back in the action. ****** There are certainly ten cup finals coming up and these will not be for the faint hearted but one senses the players may have found a new impetus to prove their critics wrong. It’s no secret that those who follow certain aspects of social media that there has been a growing clamour for a change of manager while in the bigger pond Graham Potter was under even greater scrutiny, even suffering, can you believe it, death threats but his Chelsea owners have stood by him, as have the Torquay directors with Gary Johnson. That faith in Potter has seen three successive victories thus quietening the fans’ clamour for a change. It was noticeable on Saturday how the Plainmoor faithful clapped the players off the pitch despite another home defeat. With Lapslie now suspended, Hall probably not ready for 90 minutes and Collins injured, why not recall Alex Moyse from his loan at Dorchester Town? He was named as their Player of the Month for February and impressed those who saw him in United’s pre-season friendlies; it’s about time somebody from our youth setup made it into the first team squad. ****** Non-League Crowd Watch: Another Saturday of bigger crowds than many in League 2: Wrexham 9,770, Notts County 7,060 and Chesterfield 6,893. Meanwhile in Southern League Division One South second placed AFC Totton demolished Bideford 8-1, Torquay loanee Lewis Brooks scoring Bideford’s loan goal, while old favourite Scott Rendell netted twice for the home side in front of 1,121. ****** United’s Women’s charge for the title and promotion was put on hold on Sunday as their match was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. But this coming Sunday - Mothering Sunday - their match against Sherborne Ladies is at Plainmoor for the very first time. Is it possible there could be a big crowd? Our friends up the road have set a target - the Exeter City Women’s side on Sunday drew a record attendance of 2,936 at St James Park to see them defeat visitors Portishead 6-0. Come on Yellow Army the challenge has been set! Kick-off is 2pm and tickets are on sale now. ****** Watching a match that goes into 100+ minutes struck a chord with many readers who are in favour especially if it rids the game of blatant time wasting. United had no match on Tuesday night so have a full week to prepare for a long trip to Gateshead on Saturday to play a side one place above in the relegation zone, if ever three points were needed it’s from this ‘six pointer’. ****** Many thanks to a significant number who joined TUST over the weekend, it costs less than a cup of coffee a month to join - it doesn’t Costa lot! Southampton loanee Nico Lawrence was named as the club’s Player of the Month for February. With ten games left who is likely to be your Player of the Season? Who’s your vote going to? Send your choice to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet. Safe journey to the Travel Club and all others making that long trip to Gateshead on Saturday. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 23, 2023 21:06:58 GMT
23rd April 2023 TUST STATEMENT For some time TUST has been monitoring the growing concerns amongst its loyal fan base about the running of the football club. The TUST board shares the disappointment and concerns of all supporters after Saturday’s result at Altrincham which virtually condemns the club to regional football once again. We would like to thank the Yellow Army for their loyalty and undying support. We have, like the Herald Express, BBC Radio Devon and Kevin Foster MP, asked the club for a meeting with the owner Clarke Osborne but all our requests have been turned down. This season, in particular, has underlined the lack of transparency in the running of the football club with fans’ biggest complaint being lack of communication from the owner and directors. As the club’s only representative supporters’ group, with new members joining the Trust on a daily basis, we urge Mr Osborne to make a statement about his intentions for the future direction of Torquay United. There are many unanswered questions - the plans for a new stadium, the Five Year plan, a Fans’ Forum to name but a few - that all Torquay United fans would like to hear answered. But the biggest question is will the club remain full-time in National South? Supporters who live near and far deserve to know what is happening to our football club. JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2023 8:28:13 GMT
I understand the concept of this whole TUST thing, but in reality it’s just like Don Quixote tilting at Windmills.
Who writes letters to people at Plainmoor…when has anything come out of there in the last five years? The letter to Gary Johnson for instance…it would have been far more effective had it been put in The Herald (is it still going) then at least it would have been read by someone!
And what is the ending of their posts all about…SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY…it’s so Orwellian it’s scary!
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Post by tustgull on Apr 24, 2023 9:21:30 GMT
Nick Brodrick, Chair of TUST, has a column in Herald Express every week. The letter to Gary Johnson was in that column.
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 24, 2023 9:55:45 GMT
I understand the concept of this whole TUST thing, but in reality it’s just like Don Quixote tilting at Windmills. Who writes letters to people at Plainmoor…when has anything come out of there in the last five years? The letter to Gary Johnson for instance…it would have been far more effective had it been put in The Herald (is it still going) then at least it would have been read by someone! And what is the ending of their posts all about…SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY…it’s so Orwellian it’s scary! Not forgetting community outreach is a big part of TUST, some of which you can read about in this section of the TUST website - link So presently half of TUST funds goes towards community outreach so literally, join TUST and you are supporting your local community! Over 400 members and growing so TUST represents a significant part of the fan base. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2023 10:10:14 GMT
Nick Brodrick, Chair of TUST, has a column in Herald Express every week. The letter to Gary Johnson was in that column. Good…at least there’s a chance that Gary Johnson did read it. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2023 10:46:54 GMT
I understand the concept of this whole TUST thing, but in reality it’s just like Don Quixote tilting at Windmills. Who writes letters to people at Plainmoor…when has anything come out of there in the last five years? The letter to Gary Johnson for instance…it would have been far more effective had it been put in The Herald (is it still going) then at least it would have been read by someone! And what is the ending of their posts all about…SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY…it’s so Orwellian it’s scary! Not forgetting community outreach is a big part of TUST, some of which you can read about in this section of the TUST website - link So presently half of TUST funds goes towards community outreach so literally, join TUST and you are supporting your local community! Over 400 members and growing so TUST represents a significant part of the fan base. Just had a look at the link provided, and it seems like a lot is being spent on the community, but surely that isn’t the responsibility of TUST! I would imagine their sole responsibility would be to get TUFC out of the heap of shit it finds itself in! Set up another trust by all means (I donate £2500-3000 a year to different charities and causes) and help others, but surely save some money for the cause it was all set up for in the first place. |
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Post by gateman49 on Apr 24, 2023 10:56:38 GMT
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 24, 2023 18:40:41 GMT
Not forgetting community outreach is a big part of TUST, some of which you can read about in this section of the TUST website - link So presently half of TUST funds goes towards community outreach so literally, join TUST and you are supporting your local community! Over 400 members and growing so TUST represents a significant part of the fan base. Just had a look at the link provided, and it seems like a lot is being spent on the community, but surely that isn’t the responsibility of TUST! I would imagine their sole responsibility would be to get TUFC out of the heap of shit it finds itself in! Set up another trust by all means (I donate £2500-3000 a year to different charities and causes) and help others, but surely save some money for the cause it was all set up for in the first place. Not forgetting community outreach is a big part of TUST, some of which you can read about in this section of the TUST website - link So presently half of TUST funds goes towards community outreach so literally, join TUST and you are supporting your local community! Over 400 members and growing so TUST represents a significant part of the fan base. Just had a look at the link provided, and it seems like a lot is being spent on the community, but surely that isn’t the responsibility of TUST! I would imagine their sole responsibility would be to get TUFC out of the heap of shit it finds itself in! Set up another trust by all means (I donate £2500-3000 a year to different charities and causes) and help others, but surely save some money for the cause it was all set up for in the first place. I get where you're coming from and while it appears quite logical at first glance, the idea is only to maintain funds to facilitate a rescue if the worst came to the worst as and when it may or may not arise. This was outlined in the TUST's chair letter last month: "We have contingency plans in place should the club go into administration, liquidation or need to be relaunched as a phoenix club. These are supported by a considerable special fund to get the plans off the ground if needed." Otherwise, you are saving up for an unspecified amount at an unspecified date which is difficult and even if you did put some sort of war chest in place then that can become problematic in itself. The community outreach fund was approved by members at our annual general meeting initially and has been confirmed at subsequent AGMs. By all means, join up and put forward the counterargument. |
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 24, 2023 18:46:10 GMT
TUST Response - linkWhilst TUST is pleased that the club’s owner, Clarke Osborne, has issued a statement in which he confirms Torquay United will remain full-time next season with ‘business as usual’, it still leaves many unanswered questions. On behalf of the Yellow Army TUST respectfully asks Mr Osborne for more details about his plans for the club’s future and to this end we again ask for a meeting with him. For instance, are there still hopes for a new stadium? Is there a Five Year plan? Surely, in the light of the Government’s Fan-Led White Paper there should be greater communication and transparency between the club and its loyal supporters - ‘brilliant supporters who have supported with passion and commitment’, Mr Osborne rightly acknowledges - a Fans’ Forum would be a good starting point. And, of course, Mr Osborne’s statement makes no reference to the decline of the footballing side of the club resulting in almost inevitable relegation. There is no apology for the way the club has operated this season or those in charge taking responsibility for their decision making. TUST hopes and expects further statements from the club as soon as the season ends. |
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Post by stefano on Apr 24, 2023 18:51:03 GMT
The most worrying aspect of Osborne's statement was "Business as usual". Oh great, more of the same then! ⚽️
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2023 7:22:45 GMT
If GJ leaves it will just mean he’s retiring from football and not seeking employment elsewhere. |
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 29, 2023 6:52:08 GMT
28th April 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. LATE PENALTY HEARTACHE AS UNITED SLIDE TOWARDS NATIONAL SOUTH OWNER TALKS OF FANS’ PASSION AND COMMITMENT AS GULLS REMAIN FULL- TIME UNITED WOMEN TO BE CHAMPIONS ON SUNDAY? “Their fans are absolutely phenomenal; some of the best fans in the league they’ve got - an example to other clubs. They’re absolutely top drawer.” So said Altrincham manager Phil Parkinson after Saturday’s match talking about the Yellow Army. Where to begin? After that 90th minute penalty confirmed, barring a miracle of mathematical proportions, Torquay United will be playing regional football next season, once again. It was a heartbreaking afternoon for the loyal 354 Yellow Army who made the trip, including those who were subsidised by TUST’s donation to the Travel Club, plus many more listening to the radio commentaries or those abroad actually watching the game. That the club is almost certainly relegated is nothing to do with Saturday’s draw but is an accumulation of sub-standard displays over the course of the season barring the recent top half form. Five wins, one draw and one defeat came about thanks to the more experienced loanees brought into the club. If only these reinforcements had arrived earlier. With one more match to go, against champions Wrexham, now maybe is not the time to hold an inquest but surely, in the not too distant future, supporters’ concerns have to be addressed by the club’s owner and directors. Owner Clarke Osborne went a little way to answering supporters by confirming in a statement that the club will remain full-time next season. That was a good start and he did also praise the fans’ passion and commitment but there remain many unanswered questions with TUST asking again for a meeting. Osborne’s Riviera Stadiums Ltd runs the football operation but what are the plans for the future? ***** Next season’s fixture list hardly bears thinking about, trips to Bishop’s Stortford, Weston-Super-Mare, Bath City, Chippenham and, of course, Somerset sides Taunton Town and Yeovil Town. Given the circumstances of the club’s fall - two years ago a penalty kick away from the EFL - to the embarrassing decline into National South, warrants some explanation. For the manager to say the club’s been there before and returned is surely missing the point. Why are we returning to regional football? It has been telling that in the last seven games only Shaun Donnellan and Aaron Jarvis, of all those signings made back in the summer, have been regulars. Johnson’s ‘marquee’ signings comment has come back to haunt him as the majority of those who joined have been a big disappointment. ***** Of those who did, how many were given two year contracts? And consider Jarvis (ex- Scunthorpe), Brett McGavin (ex-King’s Lynn) and Ryan Hanson (ex-Dover) who will have a second successive relegation on their CV; Jarvis, mind you, will have redeemed himself with his 18 goals and he will clearly be a target for other clubs, after all every manager wants a striker who can score goals. And how many Players of the Season have moved on the next season in Torquay’s history? ***** Saturday’s summariser, ex-Gull Steve Woods, spoke a lot of sense during and after the match. He talked about the dejection, the fantastic fans, the poor recruitment and the inevitable question about the manager’s position. And at his Press Call on Thursday, when asked, Johnson said he hoped to be still at the club in National South. One player who doesn’t deserve to be in a relegated side is fans’ favourite Asa Hall whose two goals on Saturday saw him in both the Non-League Paper and Vanarama’s Team of the Week. Added to Hall’s name could also be Kevin Dawson who gave his all as did Nico Lawrence. With Torquay’s likely demotion this will be the first time four former Football League clubs - besides United, Yeovil, Scunthorpe and Maidstone - have fallen out of the National League. Three of these are destined for National South which will mean a South team will have to move into National North. ***** Non-League Crowd Watch: Not surprisingly 10,126 were in the Racecourse to see Wrexham receive the National League champions cup, 5,779 were at York as they drew with Aldershot and 4,016 watched Yeovil’s last home game. Champions of the Isthmian South Central, Basingstoke Town, started their return up the leagues in front of 1,577 while Tim Sills’ Wimborne Town grabbed the last play-off place in Southern League Division South with a 1-1 home draw with Bideford watched by 1,044, a new club record. ***** Yeovil Town’s long suffering support not only has to contend with dropping into regional football but also there were rumours over the weekend that the club could go into administration. There has for some time been a power battle between the current owner, Scott Priestnall, and at least two other interested parties. It is always disappointing when owners and supporters fall out, in most cases due to lack of regular communication. ***** A few weeks ago it was looking as if National League footballers could go on strike as they reacted to the proposed updated player contracts which changed the current rules about sick pay should they be injured long term. Last week the FA made amendments to the standard Non-League Player Contract to try to address the players’ concerns. This has come about as a result of discussions and consultations with interested parties, including the group of National League captains. It appears the situation is now resolved. ***** So, the big match is fast approaching - yes, the Women’s final league match on Sunday against Royal Wootton Bassett Ladies when three points will secure the title and promotion. This game is being played at Liverton FC with a 2pm kick-off. Meanwhile the Under-18s suffered their second successive defeat, this time 1-0 at Bath City. ***** Best signing? It was close but the majority agreed it was Nico Lawrence who is clearly destined for greater football success. Are you looking forward with excitement and anticipation for next season? Send your reply to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet. Promises to be a large, noisy crowd on Saturday. One last hurrah before the summer break. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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