Jon
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Post by Jon on Feb 2, 2018 0:18:39 GMT
We now know that we have applied to the Peninsula League and that other applicants are:
Bere Alston United : East Cornwall Premier
Braunton : North Devon League
Carharrack : Cornwall Combination
Cronies : Devon & Exeter League
Elmore : Devon & Exeter League
Exwick Villa : Devon & Exeter League
Kingsteignton Athletic : South Devon League
Newtown : Devon & Exeter League
Waldon Athletic : South Devon League
The league is the best-run and most openly-communicative league in the country, so it baffled me when the Indy wrote weeks ago that Torquay expected to hear if they were in shortly.
The league has clearly stated that it will not relegate a club to accommodate TUFC. The only hope we have is if there is a vacancy.
There are currently two vacancies, but six feeder leagues so there was a possibility of an "over-supply" of four clubs - requiring FIVE dropouts for Torquay to get in. The list above shows no applicant from Plymouth and West Devon, so we now need another FOUR of the possibilities below to happen for us to get in.
1. Plymouth Parkway promoted to Western League. Should happen. They have applied. League position no problem, ground o.k. I think. Outside possibility they could get cold feet though.
2. Illogan withdraw from Peninsula League. Heavily rumoured earlier in the season but as far as I know not yet confirmed.
3. Carharrack either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading (no idea).
4. Bere Alston either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading (failed last year, but may have done work now).
5. Kingsteignton and Waldon both either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading. Waldon failed last year. Don't think Windmill Hill would pass. Have heard rumours about Armada Park but would not expect that to pass either. Thought Kingsteignton's pitch was too short and there was nothing they could do about it. So no South Devon League promotee is possible.
6. Somebody else drops out. Possible but not heard anything.
7. Braunton either fail to finish high enough or fail ground grading. Clutching at straws - won't happen.
8. No Devon & Exeter League promotee. No chance whatsoever.
So we will probably have to wait for the end of the season to know if we are in.
I wonder if we have put in an application to the Devon & Exeter League just in case?
Whereas the South Devon League has always stuck to a "new clubs start at the bottom" policy, The D&E League has been more pragmatic.
They would have a vacancy in their Premier Division - replacing the club promoted to the Peninsula. The standard is lower than Peninsula East - but not that much, grounds not too bad (much much better than SDL!!) and travel not too dissimilar to Peninsula East.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Feb 8, 2018 23:56:42 GMT
The Herald Express reveals that Torquay Reserves would play at Seale Hayne Newton Abbot if successful – where Argyle played their first Peninsula League season.
You do wonder whether anyone at the club has bothered to read the Peninsula League's clearly-worded statements as they seem oblivious to the fact that they will only get in if there is a vacancy.
United are fairly confident that they will be accepted by the Peninsula League.
“Our application is in, and we are waiting for the decision from the Peninsula League,” said United general manager Geoff Harrop.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Mar 3, 2018 9:53:43 GMT
so we now need another FOUR of the possibilities below to happen for us to get in. 1. Plymouth Parkway promoted to Western League. Should happen. They have applied. League position no problem, ground o.k. I think. Outside possibility they could get cold feet though. 2. Illogan withdraw from Peninsula League. Heavily rumoured earlier in the season but as far as I know not yet confirmed. 3. Carharrack either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading (no idea). 4. Bere Alston either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading (failed last year, but may have done work now). 5. Kingsteignton and Waldon both either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading. Waldon failed last year. Don't think Windmill Hill would pass. Have heard rumours about Armada Park but would not expect that to pass either. Thought Kingsteignton's pitch was too short and there was nothing they could do about it. So no South Devon League promotee is possible. 6. Somebody else drops out. Possible but not heard anything. 7. Braunton either fail to finish high enough or fail ground grading. Clutching at straws - won't happen. 8. No Devon & Exeter League promotee. No chance whatsoever. So we will probably have to wait for the end of the season to know if we are in. Lifeline no.2 disappears as Illogan confirm that they are NOT leaving the league. Odds now firmly against Torquay being accepted. |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Apr 16, 2018 23:17:44 GMT
so we now need another FOUR of the possibilities below to happen for us to get in. 1. Plymouth Parkway promoted to Western League. Should happen. They have applied. League position no problem, ground o.k. I think. Outside possibility they could get cold feet though. 2. Illogan withdraw from Peninsula League. Heavily rumoured earlier in the season but as far as I know not yet confirmed. 3. Carharrack either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading (no idea). 4. Bere Alston either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading (failed last year, but may have done work now). 5. Kingsteignton and Waldon both either fail to finish high enough (possible not likely) or fail ground grading. Waldon failed last year. Don't think Windmill Hill would pass. Have heard rumours about Armada Park but would not expect that to pass either. Thought Kingsteignton's pitch was too short and there was nothing they could do about it. So no South Devon League promotee is possible. 6. Somebody else drops out. Possible but not heard anything. 7. Braunton either fail to finish high enough or fail ground grading. Clutching at straws - won't happen. 8. No Devon & Exeter League promotee. No chance whatsoever. So we will probably have to wait for the end of the season to know if we are in. Lifeline no.2 disappears as Illogan confirm that they are NOT leaving the league. Odds now firmly against Torquay being accepted. It is now odds-on that there will be a Torquay team in the Peninsula League next season, but odds firmly against it being Torquay United!! Surprisingly, lifeline no.5 has now disappeared as both Waldon Athletic and Kingsteignton have been successful on ground grading! It looks like the title battle is between Waldon and Ashburton with Kingsteignton likely to finish third and Watcombe Wanderers a long way back in fourth. Nothing is certain though as Waldon have only played 14 games and still have 12 to go. Watcombe have only played 12 and have 14 to go. We are in to the second half of April!!!! The season is currently scheduled to finish on May 26. Lifeline no.3 has materialised as Carharrack failed ground grading. That leaves us desperately clinging to the hope that Bere Alston and Braunton (both successful with ground grading) slip up on the run-in and both fail to finish in the top three in their leagues. So that is Barrow, Woking, Bere Alston and Braunton we are willing to fail. |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on May 11, 2018 21:56:24 GMT
Some good news but not enough. Parkway are going up and Illogan are dropping out after all. But that still leaves one more dropout required. Bere Alston fell away badly, but fifth place is good enough for them as they can discount reserve teams. They could miss out - as could Braunton miss the top 3 - but neither is likely. That would appear to rule as out with the league having a full complement of 56 without us. A strange update from the SWPL here: www.swpleague.co.uk/SouthWestPeninsulaleagueForum/topic/league-statement-regarding-promotion-relegation-issues/#post-15475Reading between the lines, I wonder if Torquay might be offered the booby prize of a place in the West and the delight of trips to Penzance, Mousehole, etc. If we were, would we accept or not? Dave Thomas was just as certain that we were a shoo-in to the East Division as he was that Hereford would end up in National South and that Clarke Osborne will build a new stadium by 2020. |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on May 22, 2018 19:30:28 GMT
Some good news but not enough. Parkway are going up and Illogan are dropping out after all. But that still leaves one more dropout required. Bere Alston fell away badly, but fifth place is good enough for them as they can discount reserve teams. They could miss out - as could Braunton miss the top 3 - but neither is likely. That would appear to rule as out with the league having a full complement of 56 without us. A strange update from the SWPL here: www.swpleague.co.uk/SouthWestPeninsulaleagueForum/topic/league-statement-regarding-promotion-relegation-issues/#post-15475Reading between the lines, I wonder if Torquay might be offered the booby prize of a place in the West and the delight of trips to Penzance, Mousehole, etc. If we were, would we accept or not? A quick update. Bere Alston have finished fourth in their league, so take a promotion place due to the reserve team dispensation. The remote chance of Watcombe Wanderers finishing second has disappeared so either Waldon or Kingsteignton will go up. The top three all play each other this week so both the title and the promotion spot are up for grabs. It's likely to go to the last game on Saturday. 1 Ashburton Association 1st 24 19 1 4 71 29 42 58 2 Kingsteignton Athletic 1st 24 16 7 1 77 23 54 55 3 Waldon Athletic 1st 23 17 3 3 76 26 50 54 4 Watcombe Wanderers 1st 24 13 7 4 70 40 30 46 L 22/05/18 Kingsteignton Athletic 1st Ashburton Association 1st L 22/05/18 Waldon Athletic 1st East Allington United 1st L 24/05/18 Kingsteignton Athletic 1st Waldon Athletic 1st L 26/05/18 Ashburton Association 1st Waldon Athletic 1st Read more at fulltime-league.thefa.com/Index.do?league=316369219#AxWluhJZRoV2rS02.99That means that the 56th place lies between Braunton and Torquay United, with Braunton needing a top 3 finish. Braunton probably need a result tomorrow at champions elect Park United to keep their hopes alive with North Molton and Boca Seniors breathing down their neck. Things may not be finalised until those two play their last matches next Saturday. 1 Park United 25 21 2 2 111 65 2 Braunton 27 18 4 5 87 58 3 North Molton SC 26 19 1 6 52 58 4 Boca Seniors 26 18 3 5 103 57 5 Fremington 26 16 6 4 46 54 6 Shamwickshire 26 16 5 5 83 53 TUE 22 MAY 2018 18:30 Hartland Clovelly FC v Boca SeniorsTUE 22 MAY 2018 19:30 Torrington v Shamwickshire RoversWED 23 MAY 2018 18:30 Park United v BrauntonWED 23 MAY 2018 18:45 North Molton Sports Club v FremingtonSAT 26 MAY 2018 15:00 Boca Seniors v FremingtonShamwickshire Rovers v Torrington Shebbear United v North Molton Sports ClubBut as I say, the strange wording of the last league statement suggests a late twist - either a late withdrawal or an expansion - might leave room for Braunton AND Torquay. I will be cheering for Park United, North Molton, Boca Seniors, Fremington and Shamwickshire Rovers just in case. If Braunton fail, a 56 team league could accommodate a 16-20 West/East split and ensure we are in the right half. In fact, I wouldn't mind if they kicked Torridgeside and Appledore West to even up the numbers. That would make our league a pure South and East Devon affair with Ilfracombe the only gatecrashers. |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on May 22, 2018 23:19:30 GMT
Asburton wrapped up the South Devon League title tonight by winning 3-0 at Kingsteignton, while Waldon lost 3-0 at home to East Allington.
Fixture congestion caught up with Waldon who were playing their fifth game in seven days! East Allington had beaten Waldon in the Herald Cup final too.
Now Thursday's match (yes Waldon actually have one day off!) at Kingsteignton is winner takes all - victory for either side would clinch promotion. A draw would leave Waldon (after one more day off) needing to win at champions Ashburton on Saturday to pip Kingsteignton for the runners-up spot and promotion.
Up North, both Boca Seniors and Shamwickshire won to ramp up the pressure on Braunton. If Braunton fail to win tomorrow and North Molton better their result, then Torquay United will not have to wait for Saturday's results.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on May 23, 2018 20:27:52 GMT
Braunton lose and North Molton win so Braunton miss out on promotion and there is room for Torquay United in a 56 team league.
For the preferred 20-18-18 split, Appledore and Torridgeside would have to move West.
Prem 20 – Parkway + Millbrook = 20
East 17 – Appledore and Torridgeside + Elmore, Torquay United and Kingsteignton or Waldon= 18
West 17 – Millbrook and Illogan + Bere Alston, Appledore and Torridgeside = 18
Will Appledore and Torridgeside stay put to make a 20-20-16 split?
Are there any other surprises to come?
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on May 24, 2018 5:50:56 GMT
Thanks for the rolling updates and looks like things have worked out well for us.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on May 24, 2018 22:44:45 GMT
Congratulations to Waldon Athletic who bounced back from the disappointment of conceding the league title on Tuesday night to clinch promotion two days later with a 3-1 win at Kingsteignton.
Waldon at one point looked to be on the brink of a local treble but ridiculous fixture congestion brought about by a combination of cup runs and bad weather saw them miss out on the league and the Herald Cup. They now have promotion as well as the Belli Cup as consolation.
I haven't visited Windmill Hill for a few years and will be interested to see what changes have been made to achieve SWPL status.
As reported yesterday, Braunton slipping up has probably confirmed that Torquay United will be accepted into the Eastern section - although this will not be officially confirmed until tomorrow.
Let's hope that Waldon v TUFC reserves does not clash with a home first team game or a tasty away trip. It would be great to see the reserves in action without having to travel beyond the Penn Inn roundabout.
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Post by stefano on May 25, 2018 11:28:07 GMT
Well so much for that! - offered a place by the Peninsular League and we turned it down.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on May 25, 2018 12:30:36 GMT
Well so much for that! - offered a place by the Peninsular League and we turned it down. WTF? Why? |
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Post by stefano on May 25, 2018 12:44:33 GMT
Well so much for that! - offered a place by the Peninsular League and we turned it down. WTF? Why? No explanation given - it is just a footnote to the South West Peninsular League announcement of the make up of divisions for next season Premier, East, and West. It just says Torquay were initially being considered for a place in West, but as there was an odd number of teams in East they were offered a place in East. It goes on to say that they no longer want to enter. |
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Rob
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Post by Rob on May 25, 2018 17:18:16 GMT
Given that the Club’s actions are the direct polar opposite of previous public statements on this matter, it is slightly surprising that we haven’t found out why already.
I’m sure the Bloodhounds at the Herald will be onto this, so rest assured. Maybe the difference in strength highlighted by haldonrambler and Jon between East and West is a factor?
Merse mentioned another possible destination for Reserve sides as more suitable earlier. Be interesting to see if that’s where we are headed or whether the idea of a Reserves has been shelved for 2018/2019. Let’s hope it is not the latter. That wouldn’t make much sense so soon after recent proclamations from Harrop and Osborne.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2018 20:09:56 GMT
Who gives a f#*k about what that cockwomble thinks!
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