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Post by rjdgull on Apr 30, 2023 20:51:27 GMT
TUST - PROUD SPONSORS OF THE TORQUAY UNITED WOMEN
TUST is pleased to have sponsored Torquay United Women as they celebrate winning the title and promotion from the Women’s South-West Football League following a 1-0 victory over Royal Wootton Bassett Ladies on Sunday at Liverton FC.
TUST congratulates manager Steve Elswood, his staff and Assistant Manager Danni Wyatt on their fully deserved success and wish them every success in the National League with the possibility of two mouth-watering local derbies with Exeter City in prospect.
Congratulations too, to Ocean Latto on being Player of the Season.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2023 7:45:57 GMT
Ocean Latto…a million thoughts go through the mind. 🙂
Onto the Bully Boys…because yet another attempt has been made by TUST to contact Sharkey it seems, to find out his intentions for the coming season and the future. Well let me help you out a bit here guys (and gals?): it has been stated by Sharkey that he admires the Yellow Army (“Yellow Army” 🙄) and it’s business as usual, and when I say business as usual I mean Sharkey is happy to stump up yet another million quid for next season. As to the future…well there is no future for TUFC without Sharkey, so maybe it’s time to cut him a little slack!
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bobgull
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Post by bobgull on May 1, 2023 8:45:17 GMT
Ocean Latto…a million thoughts go through the mind. 🙂 Onto the Bully Boys…because yet another attempt has been made by TUST to contact Sharkey it seems, to find out his intentions for the coming season and the future. Well let me help you out a bit here guys (and gals?): it has been stated by Sharkey that he admires the Yellow Army (“Yellow Army” 🙄) and it’s business as usual, and when I say business as usual I mean Sharkey is happy to stump up yet another million quid for next season. As to the future…well there is no future for TUFC without Sharkey, so maybe it’s time to cut him a little slack! It’s a fallacy to say that without Clarke Osborne there would be no club because of the money that he pumps in. These are actually loans which are stacking up as debt. £4.6 million at the last count I believe. If I’m wrong perhaps Jon could correct me. Before Clarke Osborne took over it was on the cards that the Trust would take over and Torquay would have become a fan owned club. If Clarke Osborne were to walk away today the Trust would be in a good position to launch a phoenix club. As for contacting the owner and giving him some slack, I would refer you to my thread (which you have already posted on), Are You Listening Mr Osborne? as to why I think that the supporters deserve better communication from the club. |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2023 10:21:41 GMT
Ocean Latto…a million thoughts go through the mind. 🙂 Onto the Bully Boys…because yet another attempt has been made by TUST to contact Sharkey it seems, to find out his intentions for the coming season and the future. Well let me help you out a bit here guys (and gals?): it has been stated by Sharkey that he admires the Yellow Army (“Yellow Army” 🙄) and it’s business as usual, and when I say business as usual I mean Sharkey is happy to stump up yet another million quid for next season. As to the future…well there is no future for TUFC without Sharkey, so maybe it’s time to cut him a little slack! It’s a fallacy to say that without Clarke Osborne there would be no club because of the money that he pumps in. These are actually loans which are stacking up as debt. £4.6 million at the last count I believe. If I’m wrong perhaps Jon could correct me. Before Clarke Osborne took over it was on the cards that the Trust would take over and Torquay would have become a fan owned club. If Clarke Osborne were to walk away today the Trust would be in a good position to launch a phoenix club. As for contacting the owner and giving him some slack, I would refer you to my thread (which you have already posted on), Are You Listening Mr Osborne? as to why I think that the supporters deserve better communication from the club. Of course there is a debt of 4.6 million…who do you think has kept the club going for the last five years? Do you think the Easter Bunny slipped us nearly 5 million quid, or maybe the Tooth Fairy was feeling somewhat chipper after her trip to the dentist and she deigned to give us the money! This is not the Bristows, this is someone running a business, and it would have been a rather successful business had it not been for one monumental cock-up! |
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Post by plainmoorpete on May 1, 2023 11:33:48 GMT
Before Clarke Osborne took over it was on the cards that the Trust would take over and Torquay would have become a fan owned club. If Clarke Osborne were to walk away today the Trust would be in a good position to launch a phoenix club. The several million quid that Osborne has pumped in may be as loans but without it we wouldn't be able to function even at this level. If TUST had taken over the club we would almost certainly be part time by now probably playing in the Southern League. At the time when the much maligned Phillips board put the club up for sale the then TUST chairman (can't remember who it was) said he reckoned TUST could run the club for a season then after that it was wait and see. |
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bobgull
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Post by bobgull on May 1, 2023 17:40:20 GMT
Before Clarke Osborne took over it was on the cards that the Trust would take over and Torquay would have become a fan owned club. If Clarke Osborne were to walk away today the Trust would be in a good position to launch a phoenix club. The several million quid that Osborne has pumped in may be as loans but without it we wouldn't be able to function even at this level. If TUST had taken over the club we would almost certainly be part time by now probably playing in the Southern League. At the time when the much maligned Phillips board put the club up for sale the then TUST chairman (can't remember who it was) said he reckoned TUST could run the club for a season then after that it was wait and see. The several million that Osborne has pumped in as loans will eventually be the reason that we won’t be able to function at any level. The accruing debt means that the club is less attractive to a buyer and that eventually Clarke Osborne will have to pull the plug. The chairman at the time probably said that TUST could run the club for a season and then wait and see because at that moment a club for a season was better than no club at all. Also, that’s exactly what Exeter City Supporters Trust did and look where they are now - League One and in profit. That was then and this is now. Should the need arise (and we sincerely hope it doesn’t) TUST are confident that we could launch a successful and sustainable phoenix club. And yes, it would be in the lower regional leagues. But that’s the point - the clue is in the name - it would be a phoenix club and would rise from the ashes and through the leagues. What TUST sincerely hopes for, is that Clarke Osborne and George Edwards take on board the request in the statement recently released by the chairman Nick Brodrick for there to be “greater communication and transparency between the club and its loyal supporters”. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2023 7:55:06 GMT
The several million quid that Osborne has pumped in may be as loans but without it we wouldn't be able to function even at this level. If TUST had taken over the club we would almost certainly be part time by now probably playing in the Southern League. At the time when the much maligned Phillips board put the club up for sale the then TUST chairman (can't remember who it was) said he reckoned TUST could run the club for a season then after that it was wait and see. The several million that Osborne has pumped in as loans will eventually be the reason that we won’t be able to function at any level. The accruing debt means that the club is less attractive to a buyer and that eventually Clarke Osborne will have to pull the plug. The chairman at the time probably said that TUST could run the club for a season and then wait and see because at that moment a club for a season was better than no club at all. Also, that’s exactly what Exeter City Supporters Trust did and look where they are now - League One and in profit. That was then and this is now. Should the need arise (and we sincerely hope it doesn’t) TUST are confident that we could launch a successful and sustainable phoenix club. And yes, it would be in the lower regional leagues. But that’s the point - the clue is in the name - it would be a phoenix club and would rise from the ashes and through the leagues. What TUST sincerely hopes for, is that Clarke Osborne and George Edwards take on board the request in the statement recently released by the chairman Nick Brodrick for there to be “greater communication and transparency between the club and its loyal supporters”. Nearly made me choke on my Coco-Pops! 🥣 You keep believing all that bob…if it brings you comfort. 🧝♀️ |
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bobgull
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Post by bobgull on May 3, 2023 7:58:31 GMT
The several million that Osborne has pumped in as loans will eventually be the reason that we won’t be able to function at any level. The accruing debt means that the club is less attractive to a buyer and that eventually Clarke Osborne will have to pull the plug. The chairman at the time probably said that TUST could run the club for a season and then wait and see because at that moment a club for a season was better than no club at all. Also, that’s exactly what Exeter City Supporters Trust did and look where they are now - League One and in profit. That was then and this is now. Should the need arise (and we sincerely hope it doesn’t) TUST are confident that we could launch a successful and sustainable phoenix club. And yes, it would be in the lower regional leagues. But that’s the point - the clue is in the name - it would be a phoenix club and would rise from the ashes and through the leagues. What TUST sincerely hopes for, is that Clarke Osborne and George Edwards take on board the request in the statement recently released by the chairman Nick Brodrick for there to be “greater communication and transparency between the club and its loyal supporters”. Nearly made me choke on my Coco-Pops! 🥣 You keep believing all that bob…if it brings you comfort. 🧝♀️ It certainly does Blind Pew. I guess that we will just have to agree to disagree. |
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Post by rjdgull on May 5, 2023 18:17:21 GMT
5th May 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. A SEASON TO FORGET LITTERED WITH ‘IF ONLY’ REGRETS UNITED MATCHED CHAMPIONS WREXHAM BUT REVIVAL CAME TOO LATE UNITED WOMEN ARE CHAMPIONS AND PROMOTED If only…this current squad had been assembled earlier in the season as its record over the last eight games - won 5, drawn 2, lost 1 - is potential play-off form. If only…it had, United would have comfortably retained its National League status. If only… the club had reacted earlier to acknowledge last summer’s recruitment was below the levels required in the National League. If only…something had been done when United slipped into the bottom four on September 24 last year and have been there ever since. If only…the four consecutive 2-1 home defeats (Southend, Bromley, Dagenham & Redbridge, Wealdstone) had been draws, as the winning goals came either late or in time added on. If only…Kieron Evans hadn’t been sent off at Dorking. If only…Aaron Jarvis’ ‘goal’ on Saturday had been given. The list could go on but hindsight is a wonderful thing. ***** On Saturday, on a pleasant Riviera sunny evening, Torquay had to be involved in a miracle of mathematical proportions willing Gateshead to score as many as possible at home to Maidenhead with United needing to defeat the Welsh champions. In the end Torquay gave it a right go and but for another contentious refereeing decision - the 50-50 challenge when Aaron Jarvis fairly won the ball from Ben Foster, who dropped it, the Gulls might have won. Add in Asa Hall’s header missing the target and the final table could have looked different…if only. For their part, Gateshead did their best scoring four past the visitors. ***** In his post match press call manager Gary Johnson confirmed what many of us had suspected when he announced that he, and assistant Aaron Downes, were staying. This decision has, as to be expected, divided opinion. Even Johnson acknowledges he’s not everyone’s favourite, “love me or hate me, you got me.” There’s no denying there are many supporters who are hurting and angry at the club returning to National South so soon after ‘escaping’ regional football but the situation is what it is. And after Monday’s play-off finals Truro City and Aveley are added to the fixture list. ***** Hopefully, those who are currently disillusioned will reflect on events and, when the new season opens in August, will renew their love and loyalty for the club and buy a season ticket with Early Bird prices now available. To help this feel good factor, Johnson needs to recruit better quality than he has in recent pre-seasons and in his post match comments on Saturday he hinted that he’s keen to retain as many of this re-shaped squad as possible. Could this include signing Frank Nouble? Nouble Tweeted on Saturday evening, “Exceptional support, club, staff. Club will be back, no doubt, always a light at the end of the tunnel. What a group!” Could this include signing Kevin Dawson? He’s become a fan favourite for his 100% commitment and leadership. He also made it into the Vanarama Team of the Week. The club’s retained list was released on Wednesday revealing a quartet of players with another year to go on their contracts with a number of fans feeling they are lucky to still be in employment but more of this in next week’s column. Having two wide players, whether these are Collins or Stobbs, should be a priority. ***** United, of course, won’t be the only full-time club in National South as Yeovil, if they sort out their ownership and manager’s status, should be too alongside Havant & Waterlooville. Once Mark Halstead saved Paul Mullin’s harshly given penalty, Torquay took heart from this reprieve and not only matched their illustrious opponents but also took the game to them. That Wrexham salvaged a draw does an injustice to the commitment and desire shown by those in yellow and rightly received a standing ovation at the end of the match …but not for the situation the club finds itself in. Halstead was not only Man of the Match but also in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day. After the game I was able to let him know he is this season’s winner of the coveted TUST Ian Twitchin Trophy awarded to the player with the most appearances. Wrexham are the first team in domestic league history to reach 111 points, when totals are adjusted to three points for a win. Along with the 107 points achieved by Notts County, the two clubs have accumulated the top two highest points totals in domestic league history. ***** Non-League Crowd Watch: On the last Saturday of the regular season not surprisingly there were some big attendances, especially those clubs still chasing promotion. Notts County top the list but only drawing in front of 11,336. Chesterfield comfortably claimed third place with 9,105 watching while Southend just missed out on a play-off place with 8,434 inside Roots Hall. Oldham, whose ‘escape’ from the bottom four has been impressive, had 7,482. United had 4,908, their highest of the season, in ‘sold out’ Plainmoor. In National North, Kidderminster claimed a play-off place with 3,786 as did Chester in front of 3,528. In National South 3,696 saw St Albans ease into a top seven finish but Dulwich Hamlet went down at home and were relegated losing to Chippenham with 3,334 and hundreds locked out. The play-off eliminators started this week with the National League final at Wembley on May 13. ***** The growth of women’s football continues. Consider these figures: Newcastle United’s women’s side play in the 4th tier and their attendances at St James’ Park have been 28,565, 24,092 and 22,134. Congratulations to United’s Women thanks to a goal on the stroke of half-time from Emma Hunt over Royal Wootton Bassett to give them the league title and promotion to the National League. Manager Steve Elswood and his team have done a fantastic job. TUST has been pleased to sponsor them. ***** Hats off to Bobby Wilkinson, who moved from Bracknell Town to manage Weymouth, who were destined to drop out of National South but masterminded their survival by winning their last two games, both away, at Taunton and Dover. When the time comes to replace Johnson, Wilkinson would be a good candidate. His old side nearly made it to National South losing out to Truro. A mixed reaction to ‘looking forward to next season?’ probably depending on player recruitment. What are your thoughts on buying a season ticket? 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 May 12, 2023 7:27:38 GMT
11th May 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. UNITED WOMEN CELEBRATE PROMOTION WITH AWARDS NIGHT RETAINED LIST RELEASED WITH NEWS OF WELCOMED SIGNINGS TRIPS DOWN MEMORY LANE AND MORE WOE FOR SOUTHEND? With the upset of relegation still fresh in the minds of most Torquay United supporters, let’s focus on the club’s successful women’s side who, following their 1-0 victory over the ladies from Royal Wootton Bassett, thanks to a goal from Emma Hunt Young Player of the Season, clinched the title of the Women’s South-West Regional Premier League. Their reward is promotion to the National League. Having lost their opening match at the start of the season Steve Elswood’s side went unbeaten to pip rivals Bristol Rovers to the championship. The women’s side has benefitted from greater coverage and support from inside Plainmoor with their kit the same as the men’s to underline the corporate approach. They were also allowed to play at home for the first time with hopefully more Plainmoor appearances to come. The team celebrated their achievement in the Number 10 restaurant at Plainmoor last week at which Ocean Latto was the Supporters’ Player of the Season while Most Improved went to keeper Emma Ayres. Congratulations too to Sasha Mole for club Player of the Season and Goal of the Season. Golden Boot Winner was Connie Pengelly. Manager’s Player was Rhi Bailey and Players’ Player went to Tracey Cross. TUST was pleased to be major sponsors of the women this season. ***** Last Wednesday the promised retained list was announced with very few surprises. There were some who were sorry to see Ali Omar let go, mainly because of his infectious enthusiasm but not possibly for his positional ability. With maybe the exception of Brett McGavin, who figured occasionally from the bench in the last eight games when the ‘new look’ side played in the manner fans had wanted all season, supporters were not impressed to have confirmation that Hanson, Marshall and Crowe had been given two year contracts last summer. Just because they have contracts doesn’t necessarily mean they will stay. Another topic that has got fans hot under the collar was the news that last year’s academy players who had been given professional contracts were let go. In particular many feel Alex Moyse has been hard done-by, not having been given a chance as his pre-season displays suggested he could have a future. Mention is made once again about the successful conveyor belt of talent through Exeter City’s academy which often results in their selling of star pupils for considerable sums. By comparison Torquay’s production line has produced zero players for the first team let alone a £million transfer! Johnson tells us that recruitment is already under way so a decent signing soon would no doubt help season ticket sales. And, as if on cue, the club announced the big news of four signing new contracts: keeper Mark Halstead, defender Ollie Tomlinson and key mid-fielders Tom Lapslie and Kevin Dawson. Many clubs have had their Early Bird sales going for some time and as an example Oldham announced over the weekend sales of 3,600. By comparison Torquay keep their figures firmly under wraps. ***** Play-Off Crowd Watch: Notts County won a thriller over Boreham Wood with 15,617 and Chesterfield pulled in 9,657. Woking’s quest for EFL status came to an end with a 2-1 home defeat to Bromley in an Eliminator in front of 5,033. Elsewhere, in the National South Eliminator Worthing beat Braintree 2-1 watched by 2,678; Warrington Town won the Northern Premier Final 1-0 with 2,550 watching. On Sunday National North and South semi-finals: Chester 4,479, Dartford 3,234 and King’s Lynn 3,002 were the outstanding numbers. ***** There’s been a great fanfare applauding Wrexham’s and Notts County’s mammoth points tallies but three other clubs have matched them: Brislington won the Toolstation Western League Division 1 with 110 points while Ascot United won the Cherry Red Combined Counties League with 102 points and Plymouth Argyle finished with 101. ***** The final National League Average attendances for 2022-23: 1. Wrexham 9,973, 2. Notts County 8,303, 3. Chesterfield 7,043, 4. Oldham 6,662, 5. Southend 6,040, 6. York City 4,827, 7. Scunthorpe 3,259, 8. Woking 2,734, 9. Yeovil 2,730, 10. Bromley 2,585, 11. Torquay 2,422. ***** Down Memory Lane: May 4 1996 United finished bottom of League 2 with only 29 points, Goals For 30, Goals Against 84. But were saved from relegation due to Stevenage’s ground failing to meet the minimum requirements. May 8 2004 United needed to win at Southend on the last day and Huddersfield not win at Cheltenham for promotion from Division 3. Early goals from Steve Woods and David Graham saw United edge home as Huddersfield drew. May 9 1987 United’s last day Great Escape with a 2-2 draw against Crewe thanks to Bryn the Police dog. ***** Saturday’s National League Final at Wembley puts the team who finished second, Notts County, up against the third finisher, Chesterfield, after both clubs won their semi-finals 3-2 after extra time. Both were pulsating watches with late goal dramas, lengthy added times and at Chesterfield play suspended for a drone hovering over the pitch. With two huge sides in the final, only one can go up and so underlines the case for three-up from the National League - and surely this change has to come soon. ***** More woe at Southend. Having successfully negotiated a High Court winding-up petition two months ago, the club finds itself back there next week. This will be their 18th petition over the past 25 years the club has been owned by Ron Martin. The Shrimpers Trust, along with a number of other groups, have said that Martin’s position is untenable. He has recently put the club up for sale. Currently the club is under a transfer embargo stopping them from offering contracts and signing players. By contrast there’s good news for those following Bury FC. After months of wrangling the Shakers Community and Bury FC Supporters Society have voted to amalgamate. The motion to adopt Gigg Lane Stadium as the football club’s home playing venue was approved by 97% of the vote. The motion to adopt Bury Football Club as the playing name was approved by 92%. ***** Congratulations to our friends up the road as Plymouth Argyle are promoted as champions from League 1 but now we will be four divisions apart. Seems there are mixed feelings about the club’s season tickets ranging from those who say no we’re not renewing to those who feel the prices are too high for National South. At the end of the day people will have to make up their own minds. So, which team deserves to go up with Wrexham, Notts County or Chesterfield? Send your reply 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 10, 2023 20:18:12 GMT
10th June 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. CLUB DIRECTORS APOLOGISE FOR RELEGATION - AT LEEDS UNITED CAN YOU SPONSOR TORQUAY WOMEN IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE? LEWIS COLLINS A REAL PROFESSIONAL JOINS UNITED “Relegation is painful and we apologise to our fanbase that the performances this season have not seen the club consolidate our status as we had all hoped.” The above is a statement from the Board of Directors at Leeds United following their return to the Championship after three years in the Premier League. The statement goes on to say, “We know things have not been good enough, we know we have to improve but please be assured that behind the scenes we have worked hard to ensure that the past will not be repeated.” No football fan enjoys it when their club is relegated but honesty from those in charge goes some way to re-building confidence and loyalty. ***** Torquay’s Women’s team, following their success as champions of the South-West Regional Women’s Football League - Premier Division, are preparing for life in Tier 4, the National League, South-West Division. A spokesperson for the club said, “To achieve back-to-back successes over the past two seasons is not the end, we now want to ensure we are competitive in the National League. We’re not in it to make up the numbers and with the strength, belief and heart that’s been built in this special group we are very much looking forward to the challenge.” The club are now looking for sponsors for such things as travel, player, match day and match ball. ***** In the very week that the abuse of referee Anthony Taylor and his family at Budapest Airport following the Europa Cup Final was captured on phone footage, the FA announced points deductions in grassroots football for unacceptable behaviour. Most of this is abuse of referees by spectators and team officials. Clubs will be punished if they commit cumulative incidents of misconduct with points deductions ranging from three to twelve points depending on how many breaches have occurred within twelve months of a team’s first offence. And on the subject of referees, sixteen of them (including assistants) have been promoted from the National League to Leagues 1 & 2. ***** Les Sealey, who died of a heart attack aged 43 in 2001, was a well-known ‘cheeky’ goalkeeper who, at one point in his career was on loan at Manchester United. His son, Joe, has recently unearthed a box of audio cassettes containing his father’s memories which have now been put into a new book, “On Days Like These: The Lost Memoir Of A Goalkeeper.” One interesting extract gives some insight into the ways of then manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Once Ferguson decided to release a player he never changed his mind. He said, “You can’t go home and worry about the player, what’s happening to them or their wives and families. You’ve made the decision.” “You’ve made it for two reasons. Firstly, you’ve made it for yourself, because players who aren’t good enough or aren’t motivated enough will get you the sack. But mainly you’ve made it for the sake of the club.” “It’s a business, football, and if you’re ever a manager Les you remember that.” ***** Good on Exeter City for telling its fan base about how their season ticket sales are going. Last year they sold 3,100 and so far this year they’ve passed that with a total of 3,220. At Torquay the Early Discount offer has been extended for a further week and you have until Friday to benefit from the frozen prices. ***** The new National League South season starts on August 5 but as yet there is no indication as to when the fixtures will be released. So far the club has only announced one Pre-Season friendly against Exeter City at Plainmoor on Saturday July 22 with a 3pm kick-off. Latest signing Lewis Collins bodes well as this top professional impressed the Yellow Army when on loan from Newport County last season. There were many who didn’t expect him to sign believing another League 2 club would be interested so his capture shows the club’s intent to back the manager. Get in touch at... 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, 2023 8:58:01 GMT
24th June 2023 Fan Zone HOW DO YOU FILL YOUR SATURDAYS WITHOUT FOOTBALL? ENGLAND’S CRICKET IN THE ASHES IS BONKERS RUBBISH CHAMPIONSHIPS IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE. REALLY? It’s the middle of June, it’s summer and we all have had sunny, muggy days so what’s there to do for the football fan suffering withdrawal symptoms? How do you fill your Saturdays with no football? Football finished at the end of April, United’s new squad are yet to start pre-season training and the new season is still weeks away (August 5). You scour the internet for football stories hoping to come across something interesting; you keep looking at the club’s website, is there another player ‘on board’? You trawl through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram just in case there’s a story you missed elsewhere. What about the fans’ forums? United have three but you can tell there’s little news as there’s hardly any traffic with few meaningful posts. Many go out and buy the Herald Express in the hope that any Torquay related news will keep us satisfied but let’s face it, it’s called the close season for a reason. So, for many, thank goodness for cricket and this summer it’s the Ashes, that deadly rivalry between England and Australia. And what a time to be watching, for under skipper Ben Stokes England are serving up a feast of attacking cricket, Bazball as it’s called. ***** The Ashes, by the way, originated in 1892 when a small urn, 4.1 inches tall, made of terracotta was supposed to contain the ashes of a cricket bail presented to the then England captain, Ivo Bligh, on their tour of Australia. A test match lasts five days so who on earth would declare their first innings on day one? Well, Ben Stokes did which Saturday’s national papers called ‘bonkers’. One pundit summed the decision up like this: “An utterly bonkers but totally brilliant and absolutely in-character declaration from Stokes.” Going out to attack your opponent makes perfect sense as England’s cricketers have been demonstrating so let’s hope Gary Johnson can install this mantra into his squad to hit the National South from game one. Recent pictures of the progress of Plainmoor’s pitch renovation show it wouldn’t disgrace a cricket ground. ***** Summer is a bonkers time too for odd and unusual events and not just village fetes. How about this? In Weston-Super-Mare at the weekend was the National Refuse Championships. Rubbish you say? No, really. It’s now into its fourth year with participants from around the UK. The event, on the seafront, involved twenty four teams who race to load wheelie bins with bags of sand before pushing them into bin lorries. The purpose of the event is to raise money for charity, this year Alzheimer’s with £20,000 the target. ***** There might be no football but TUST keeps busy. As a board we meet monthly to fulfil our remit to monitor all things Torquay United. Recently two of us represented TUST at the South-West Supporters’ Trust group - a body consisting of trustees from Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Bristol City, Swindon Town, Hereford United and Yeovil Town, the only one of its kind in the UK. This year sees the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust celebrating their 20th Anniversary of ownership of the football club. ***** Which night of the week to watch Torquay? This was last weeks question. Reader Tony Clark sums up, “ Mondays usually have a Premier League match on TV, Wednesdays often have a Champions League so keep it Tuesdays.” Do you agree? 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 Jul 1, 2023 12:29:35 GMT
30th June 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. UNITED’S GARY JOHNSON OPENS UP ABOUT HIS PLANS FOR THE SEASON WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF HEADING IN FOOTBALL? RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS SO KEEP IT TUESDAYS Torquay United supporters starved of football news will be delighted to know that manager Gary Johnson, in an in-depth interview in Sunday’s Non-League Paper, has hinted that more signings are on the way. “Bradley Ash is our only outside signing and he was in the top four or five strikers in National South last year for Weymouth. That’s one down so it’s really just a couple more that we’ve already identified and are negotiating with now.” In the interview Johnson talked about last season. “We came away disappointed by relegation, obviously, but everything else was really positive.” He went on, “We’ve got 15 who’ve stayed from last year and nobody has left who we wanted to keep. Even the two lads Lewis (Collins) and Jack (Stobbs) have dropped divisions to sign on permanently.” On staying on as manager Johnson had this to say, “I’ve never left any club in a worse position than I found it. And when you get players like these, who are loyal and give everything, I think you owe them some loyalty yourself.” On the season ahead he told the paper, “I’ve watched parts of pretty much every team [in National South on his iPad] and like every year in the National League, it’s got stronger.” He had this to warn United fans, “I know there’s a lot of people who think we should win every game but it’s not like that. You’ve got to earn your results.” ****** Almost 10,000 fans took part in the Football Supporters’ Association’s National Supporters’ Survey, last carried out in 2017, to give their thoughts on the current state of football before the new season. 88.2% agreed on the need for an independent regulator to ensure clubs are run sustainably. Just under half of those polled - 46.9% - believed that their club cared about them and their views. Maybe too many treat their fans as customers rather than as supporters. Lack of communication between owners and fans is a common theme. One in five - 21.7% - said they were attending fewer games because of the cost of living and almost a third - 31.9% - had reduced their matchday spending on food, drink and programmes. FSA chair Malcolm Clarke said, “Football has said for years it can regulate itself. The findings from our survey show that it has become apparent that it cannot; fans say that independent regulation is required to safeguard the future of our clubs.” ***** The recent death of former Manchester United and Scotland defender Gordon McQueen from complications of vascular dementia has once again drawn attention to the dangers of heading a football. Research has discovered that professional footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to develop a neurological disorder than the rest of the population and five times more likely to develop dementia. It is a sobering thought that of the eleven players who won the World Cup in 1966 for England, six have died of dementia while a seventh, Sir Bobby Charlton, has the disease. So, what’s the answer? A couple of years ago the FA limited professional clubs to ten ‘high force’ headers per week in training. There’s also a move to see dementia acknowledged as an industrial injury which would mean compensation being paid. There is also a group called Head for Change which would like to see heading taken out of football. One thing is for certain this issue is not going to go away. ***** The debate about when to play mid-week fixtures continues with reader Richard Privett adding his views: “Keep it Tuesday. Gives players longer recovery time after Saturday and also allows the management team a coaching session. Playing on a Monday is not ideal especially after a Saturday away game.” It seems pretty conclusive that United fans prefer matches on a Tuesday night. ***** Last week’s column was about the first Test between England and Australia and that ‘bonkers’ decision of skipper Ben Stokes to declare on the first day. Did that result in England’s defeat? Seems there is divided opinion on that. But with England one down it’s still all to play for with the second Test started at Lord’s on Wednesday but so far it’s advantage Australia. Two more players to sign - not including loans - so which positions do you want? 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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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jul 6, 2023 9:29:08 GMT
5th July 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. SOME UNITED FANS HAVE GOT SHIRTY OVER THE NEW KIT FROM YEOVIL TO YORK BUY A CLUB WITH A Y ALDERSHOT SHOW HOW VALUABLE A FANS FORUM CAN BE Pre-season training started for Torquay’s players last Thursday when several, as yet unnamed, trialists, specially invited according to manager Gary Johnson, took part. And this coincided with the club releasing photos and details of the new home and away kits to, being polite, a mixed reaction on social media. Majority opinion feels the home version is straying too far from the club’s traditional yellow and blue but in contrast the away shirt is a winner. As several fans have voiced, if the team is promoted it won’t matter what kit the team wears. By contrast Exeter City revealed their new home and away shirts on Sunday and by early evening 949 had already been sold. These shirts come from Newton Abbot company Pro:Direct, as do Torquay’s. Interesting too, to see that the no sponsorship on the front, as has been the case in recent seasons, having 1899 instead, has been changed. The home shirt now has South Devon College and the away shirt with Torbay Story as sponsors. ***** Those hoping to see Frank Nouble in a yellow, blue and white shirt had their hopes dashed when he signed for Yeovil. By the time you are reading this the fixtures for the new National South season will be out. So, it’s an opening day (August 5) away trip to Dover and United will play Truro on Boxing Day (Home) and away on New Year’s Day. For those thinking United’s second spell in regional football will be an easy ride like last time should think again, for the league is considerably more competitive this time round. For a start there are more full time outfits and many of the clubs have made astute summer signings. Add in the number of 4G pitches United will have to play on and it’s easy to see that this is going to be a challenging season. ***** A few short months ago Yeovil Town were in disarray on and off the pitch as the waiting-in-the- wings new owners, the Uggla family, mother and son, fronting 394 Sports Ltd, were having a public slanging match, via Twitter, with the manager Mark Cooper. That association with Yeovil ended almost as swiftly as it had begun with the Ugglas withdrawing. But lo and behold, their desire to own a football club with the letter Y was realised last week when they took control of York City, subject to FA approval. They have acquired a 51% stake in the club. Matthew Uggla had this to say, “We can really take this club as far as we want to take it. I think the sky is really the limit. It’s just a case of putting the right structures and plans in place to really go for it.” Let’s wait and see what happens. ***** The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) is currently urging the Government to implement the Fan-Led Review as set out in the White Paper. Supporters really need to be treated by club owners and directors with greater respect as we are supporters not customers. Communication and transparency are key so hats off to Aldershot Town who recently held a Fans’ Forum. The evening was divided into three parts, opening with the club chairman providing supporters with an update. Next came information about the ground redevelopment taking place with representatives of the company carrying out the work answering questions. And finally manager Tommy Widdrington and his assistant answered supporters’ questions. For fans who couldn’t make the forum, the club have added a portal on their website for any questions. ***** It’s back, Crowd Watch! Pre-season crowd watch: Welling Utd v Charlton 2,765, Felixstowe v Ipswich 2,350, Melksham Town v Bristol Rovers 2,014. ***** The positions most fans would like to see filled to bolster Johnson’s squad are a left back, centre back and a striker although it’s a little concerning when Johnson admitted that he’s already over budget. Can you help? Many United fans who read this will be sorry to learn that defender Paul Holmes who played over 200 times for Torquay has recently undergone the removal of a tumour in Torbay Hospital. He’s also awaiting tests on his liver and a lymph node. United fan Helen Chamberlain alerted the Yellow Army on social media asking for donations. The initial target was £1800 but by Sunday evening this had gone past £2000. You can donate by going to: gofundme.com You can contact this column: 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 Jul 22, 2023 12:02:16 GMT
21st July 2023 FAN ZONE TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news. SOUTHEND’S BATTLE TO SURVIVE CONTINUES AS FANS PROTEST END OF THE OLDEST FOOTBALL GROUND IN MAIDENHEAD? UNITED WOMEN LOOKING TO START NEW SEASON AS WORLD CUP STARTS With the new football season a matter of weeks away and the pre-season for every club in full swing, it’s the build up to the opening fixture that excites every football fan. The hopes and anticipation that this is going to be your club’s time in the limelight. Well, maybe not for those long suffering Southend United fans as their club appears to be dying in front of them as their existence continues to be in doubt. On Saturday, as their second scheduled friendly (at Billericay Town) was called off, fans spent the day in protest outside the owner Ron Martin’s home. “It is time for this matter to be brought to a swift conclusion with a clear public deadline and consequences.” This is the view of the Shrimpers Trust who want the National League to set Southend a public deadline as the club continue their battle to start the new season. In a statement issued before the weekend, the Trust said, “In summary, following Wednesday’s statement from the owner, we have little faith that he will be able to resolve the matter before the next adjourned court hearing in 42 days.” For Southend to fulfil their fixtures they must pay all debts to HMRC - £275,000 - and football creditors, including all club employees, in line with National League rules. Commenting on Saturday’s protest the Trust confirmed, “The damage that Ron Martin has done to our beloved football club is unforgivable and he must pay his debts and leave now.” Full credit to the York City Supporters Trust for their bucket collection before their match with Middlesborough to raise funds for Southend. This is an ever changing story with further developments likely. ***** Meanwhile, there’s trouble brewing in Berkshire where Maidenhead United are looking to move from York Road, their ground being the oldest continuously-used senior football ground in the world by the same club since 1871. The club is planning to move to a new complex at Braywick where Maidenhead Rugby club play and whose chairman has cast doubts on the plans causing the football club’s chairman to respond in the local press. It would seem that York Road requires investment of millions of pounds to improve both the spectator and wider stadium facilities but these are deemed not possible hence the need to move. Just goes to underline how important it is for everyone to be involved in a club moving to a new stadium. ***** Pre-Season Crowd Watch: Chesterfield v Sheffield United 9,476, Gateshead v Newcastle United 7,200, Havant & Waterlooville v Portsmouth 4,250, Gainsborough Trinity v Man Utd XI 2,510 and Mousehole v Dorking Wanderers 447. Torquay played their second pre-season friendly behind closed doors against a strong Championship side Bristol City. Final score was a 6-2 defeat but a first half performance ending 2-2 pleased the manager with Gary Johnson hinting this side was his strongest, although it was without Dawson, Moxey and Marshall for the second week running, also missing from Tuesday’s Plymouth friendly. Moxey and Marshall are recovering from operations but Dawson’s absence is unexplained. Social media sleuths did discover that one of the trialists was defender Finley Craske recently released by Plymouth Argyle after spending some of last season on loan at Yeovil Town and Truro City. He certainly didn’t do any harm to his chances of getting a contract after his performance on Tuesday. United’s loyal support - 3,585 inside the ground - got to see the ‘new’ squad at Tuesday night’s friendly at Plainmoor against local rivals Championship Plymouth Argyle gaining a well deserved 1-1 draw. Brad Ash scoring his first, hopefully of many, goal at home. And on Saturday League 1 Exeter City come to TQ1. After that it’s Southampton B who lost 3-1 at Oxford United over the weekend and whose manager has just taken over at Forest Green. ***** Ex-Gull Watch: He’s likely to be remembered as the sub being subbed and following release by both Plymouth and Torquay before joining Oxford City helping them to promotion to the National League, striker Kladi Lolos has just secured a two year deal at League 2 side Crawley Town. ***** For those of you who subscribe, BT Sports is now known as TNT Sports and as well as showing National League matches are also televising some National South fixtures. With United’s Women’s side playing National League football this coming season, women’s football takes centre stage as the Women’s World Cup started on Thursday with England playing their opening match on Saturday on ITV. All matches are shared between the BBC and ITV. You can contact the Fans’ Zone: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet. COYY JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.ukSUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY |
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