TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST

18th July 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

FOOTBALL AND THE YELLOW ARMY RETURNING TO PLAINMOOR? HOPES ARE RISING

As the weeks go by Gary Johnson’s anticipation of the return to pre-season training visibly increases as he is clearly relishing the opportunity to meet up with his players and support staff. I’m sure he’d rather be zooming down the M5 to Torquay (observing the speed limit, naturally) rather than the virtual version talking to everyone via a screen.

Likewise the Yellow Army are looking forward to the day we’ll be allowed to step inside Plainmoor. Well matters seem to be moving in the right direction. It’s encouraging to learn that various sporting bodies, including the Premier League, met last week with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to discuss plans for a digital health passport system which would allow fans back into stadiums. It is even hoped there could be a test event either later this month or in August, to establish whether a system using testing and antibody data could give fans a viable individual health passport to ensure they are not carrying the virus.

The likelihood is that the return of fans would be gradual and limited - one third of capacity has been mooted ( but is that ground capacity or seating capacity?) - but could start by the end of September and probably wearing masks to deter shouting and singing! Hopefully clapping would be allowed otherwise a match wouldn’t be a lot different from watching TV matches without the added crowd noise!

If all this goes to plan it suggests the National League season wouldn’t start until late September rather than the dates 5th or 12th which have been mentioned because the FA have confirmed no non-league fixtures are to be played behind closed doors.

There was better news for grass roots football when the Government allowed, from the weekend, the FA to set out a timetable for the return of amateur local competition including five-a side football.

Supporters, too, are to be allowed to attend community fixtures in small numbers; there are, of course, rules to follow but this is a step in the right direction.

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In his weekly ‘Inside Plainmoor’ Zoom chat Gary Johnson talked about his role as manager of the club, in bringing everyone - players, supporters, directors, press - together. He explained how much he enjoys working with players and his coaches, developing their careers: ‘’ You’ll enhance your career by playing for me.” His enthusiasm and love for the game is self-evident and as he says, “ It takes over your life.”

During the months of lockdown the Boss has continually underlined the influence of the Yellow Army on the team - “positive support is worth a goal a game” - as he stresses the importance of the manager having an affinity with supporters. Johnson states, “Our fans are top of the league” and jokes, “ the team needs to catch up!”

To this end he confirmed that three players are committed to joining with the possibility of news of these ‘pre-contracts’ being released soon. With three others expected he’ll be working with a squad of 18.

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Now what on earth could link the Gulls with Blyth Spartans, albeit a rather tenuous link? Blyth Spartans, who finished in the bottom two of National North, were founded by Fred Stoker, the club’s first secretary before forming a practice as a distinguished physician in London’s Harley Street. He thought it appropriate to name the club after the Greek Spartan Army, hoping the players would go into ‘battle’ when on the pitch.

And the link? Both the Gulls and Blyth Spartans were formed in 1899. The Gulls rebranded last season with the 1899 logo and merchandise while Blyth have the 1899 Club.

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A few stories have caught my eye recently: after being out of the game for some time as he recovered from bowel cancer, it was good to see that Angus MacDonald was back playing for Hull in the Championship since football resumed.

There we were thinking that the ‘new’ drinks breaks introduced in each half were for the benefit of the players and a team talk with the manager; they’re actually for ground staff to disinfect the goal posts and corner flags!

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When the EFL finally decided the outcome of the League 2 season confirming Stevenage’s relegation, this column wondered if there would be a twist. Might the relegated club be Macclesfield and miss out the National League altogether?

Well the EFL has appealed against the sanctions imposed on Macclesfield and surely the result of the adjudication on this must be heard soon. In the name of fairness, not to mention for planning ahead, which club will be playing non-league football next season?

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Last week’s question - who would you like to see join Barrow in the EFL from the Play-Offs? - continues, the first of which - Boreham Wood v FC Halifax - is this Friday. Send your team choice to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com

To all the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

1st August 2020

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

AN OCTOBER START FOR THE NEW SEASON BUT LEADERSHIP, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETITION ALL OVER THE PITCH

Well now we know, as the National League confirms that the 2020-21 season will not begin until Saturday October 3 and then with “significantly reduced capacity.” That decision will clearly affect the start of pre-season training but more importantly the survival of many non-league clubs.

With the likelihood of reduced capacities for the foreseeable future one has to ask the question: will a number of clubs go out of business? Not only will there be reduced income from gate receipts but add in the additional safety costs and for many this could be a financial step too far.

Even for those fans who are allowed into grounds the Sports Grounds Safety Authority has issued draft guidance - 84 pages - to authorities to draw up a Spectator Code of Conduct. In it supporters will be warned about taking care whilst shouting, singing and celebrating adding, “Remain in your seat or place at all times wherever possible.” There were pictures over the week-end of the Danish derby between Brondby and FC Copenhagen where fans had to sit four seats apart.

There are going to be many club owners and directors who will be having some serious decisions to make. These really are unprecedented times.

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To lighten the moment, for football fans all over there’s nothing like your club announcing a new signing, especially before the start of a new season, and Gary Johnson did his best to quicken our heart rates and whet our appetites for the 2020-21 campaign when he revealed not one capture but five!

First to be confirmed were Danny Wright, as many had guessed, and Andrew Nelson who was a total surprise. These two, then, are the strike force to hopefully propel the Gulls to the promised land.

Reading back over the Boss’s comments on ‘Inside Plainmoor’ I think he’s been toying with us, giving clues along the way. At the beginning of the month he referred to replacing Jamie Reid with ‘strikers’ and emphasising the midfield players - he then named - to provide the ammunition as well as being goal-scorers themselves. So with two ‘up top’ - a different attacking style?

On Monday not only were two experienced centre-halves - Gary Warren and Fraser Kerr - confirmed but, also, the manager underlined their leadership qualities. At six feet plus these two will add height at the back and at set pieces.

With an attacking mid-fielder the last part of the new jigsaw due to be named yesterday there’s going to be, as Johnson says, “competition all over the pitch.”

All credit to Clarke Osborne for backing the manager with a full squad before a ball’s been kicked.

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So what’s happening in the National League? The Board are this week discussing, as are the EFL, the possibility of introducing a salary cap following Covid-19 “shining a stark light on the financial turmoil in football.” We know that on Sunday at Wembley it’s either Notts County, looking for a swift return, or Harrogate Town, looking to join for the first time ever, fighting over the coveted one EFL place.

For the teams that didn’t make it through the play-offs will there be a dip in form not to mention a financial burden? Rumours that Barnet manager, Darren Currie, is favourite for the Southend job while FC Halifax have already released five with two on the transfer list and Stockport County, who were jumped by Barnet for the last play-off place, have been busy in the transfer market with some interesting signings including Barrow’s goal-scoring striker, John Rooney; maybe an early bookmakers’ tip for promotion?

Chesterfield are expecting to complete the transfer of the ownership of the club to the Chesterfield FC Community Trust by the weekend.

And ex-Gull, Nathan Blissett will be leading Maidenhead’s front line in the coming season. Now there’s one place left in the National League system with either one team less in either the North or South divisions. Bury, who went out of the EFL last season, are waiting to find out this week if they’ll be allowed to take that vacancy as the National League & FA decide, meanwhile a phoenix club, Bury AFC, will play in the North-West Counties League Division 1 North.

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Who’s joining the National League? Wealdstone as South Champions and King’s Lynn from the North with either Weymouth or Dartford from the South or North’s Altrincham or Boston.

Let’s take a look at a team the Gulls have never played - King’s Lynn. The original club, known as King’s Lynn FC, was liquidated in 2009 but returned the following year as King’s Lynn Town FC, starting again in the United Counties League. In 2012 they were promoted to the Northern Premier Division 1 and went up again the following season into the Premier Division. By the end of season 2018-19 The Linnets were promoted into the National North and now they start their new campaign in the National League, one step away from the EFL; not bad for a club that’s only been in existence for 10 years.

The Yellow Army’s visit to The Walks promises not only a new ground to see but also a formidable one too - their promotions were helped by a home form when they went from September 2018 until February 2020 before being beaten. Manager, Ian Culverhouse, ex-Norwich star, was National North Manager of the Season. The west end of The Walks was originally called the ‘seven sisters’ end due to the seven lime trees - now felled - and since 2016 is the ‘Mick Wright End’ named after the former player who made an astonishing 1,152 appearances!

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King’s Lynn also appear in the Top Ten of weird reasons for match postponements. They had to postpone their Eastern Counties League match at home to Gorleston in October 1937 due to a “noxious stench lingering in the air” as the Norfolk Press reported after a group of local farmers had been over-zealous in their muck spreading!

Now as it happens Torquay United also figure in the Top Ten with the Bonnie Tyler themed, “Total Eclipse …. of the Game”. The Gulls were due to host Portsmouth on August 11 1999 in the League Cup but Devon Police, expecting a large number of visiting supporters, had the match delayed by a week all because of the solar eclipse which was probably a better view as the 1st Leg game when played was 0-0.

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We, at TUST, are sorry to learn that Peter Jones, chairman of the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust is stepping down from his role and position on the football board next month. Peter has been a very helpful ally, always available with wise words and advice.

You can contact me at: fanszone.tu@gmail.com. To all the Yellow Army stay safe.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

link - nice to see that the Jack Leslie campaign has now reached it target!

HERALD EXPRESS - FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's latest column in this week's Herald Express

LET US BACK - PRESSURE IS BUILDING FOR SPECTATORS TO RETURN TO STADIUMS

This week - an extended piece including additional thoughts from Nick that the Herald Express didn't cover!

Although there were further pre-season friendlies played last Saturday, frustration is beginning to boil amongst non-league clubs as another week goes by without spectators being admitted with crucially no income. The Government’s original plan to hold pilot events, prior to hopefully giving the green light for stadiums opening for fans, was curtailed at the 11th hour a fortnight ago but now has been re-started as spectators were admitted to the World Snooker Final with other trial events expected to follow, including cricket at The Kia Oval and Edgbaston.

However this is not soon enough for thousands who follow non-league as over the weekend football starved fans launched the #LetFansIn campaign with a legal challenge to the guidance provided from the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport department and the FA. Led by the Dorking Wanderers owner, Marc White, non-league fans are questioning why it’s acceptable for people to gather together at pubs and restaurants and for thousands to go to the beach when small crowds at football are not allowed.

White feels that the FA have failed to put the case of non-league football clubs properly to the DCM&S as he says with the correct Covid-19 protocols in place, “Clubs at Steps 5 & 6 with X capacity should be allowed to have Y people at a game.” He continued, “The FA haven’t done their job properly and demonstrated to DCM&S the various grades and levels of football and what type of attendances they have.”

The German Bundesliga last week extended the ban of spectators to the end of October. It’s clearly no easy matter preparing stadiums for the return of spectators as there are numerous challenges and obstacles unique to every ground, Plainmoor being no exception. The latest Government announcement is confirmation that fans will be allowed to return to stadiums next month but spectators will be made to sign up to a new code of behaviour.

Detailed mapping exercises are being drawn up at every stadium in the country to calculate how many supporters may be permitted. One of the biggest concerns is around how fans will enter and leave, then once inside after undergoing temperature checks we’ll be asked to wear face coverings whilst adhering to a one way system. All credit to those at Plainmoor who are working to put in place these detailed protocols.

To give readers an idea of what it takes to put on a professional match, last Friday Harlequins hosted the first Premiership Rugby match at the Twickenham Stoop ground which was divided into red, amber and green zones. The usual changing rooms were not large enough to allow social distancing so the two teams had to use re-configured rooms normally used as bars; just how will the two sets of players manage for changing space at Plainmoor?

There were also restrictions on the number of media - written journalists, photographers and radio broadcasters. All media had to wear face masks with post match interviews being carried out by Zoom.

Let’s hope there are no further setbacks and that we can plan for National League matches resuming on October 3 with a degree of excitement and confidence.

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What’s happening in the National League? Some week’s ago this column speculated that it would be Macclesfield dropping out of the EFL and not Stevenage and after last week’s Independent Arbitration panel’s decision to uphold the EFL’s appeal, it is indeed Macclesfield relegated. Poetic justice some might say for Stevenage after what happened in 1996. But will the National League admit them? Following what happened to Boston in 2007 there could be more dramas to come.

It must, then, be a nightmare for the fixture compiler for the National League. Plan for Macclesfield or not? And what about Dover - in or out? A league of what should be 24 teams down to 23 (or maybe even fewer) or let Ebbsfleet be re-instated? Over the weekend Dover announced a string of pre-season friendlies for September and although down to only 12 players they look as if they’re believing the club can continue.

Elsewhere newly promoted Weymouth, after manager Mark Molesley was tempted to Southend, and Barnet, where manager Darren Currie left after a cost cutting exercise, are looking for new managers. Barnet have cut their playing budget by 50% as their income has not only suffered from no fans attending ,as well as their entertainment facilities unopened, but also the loss of their main sponsor.

Meanwhile, good news continues to flow from The Gulls with the re-vamp of the Youth Development Programme after it launched last Monday with over 100 children of different ages involved. Manager Gary Johnson hailed it a “first day success.”

All United fans will be hoping, over time, this will produce first team players and eventually lucrative transfer fees!

It looks, though, as if United will have to alter their pre-season friendly with Exeter City after The Grecians found out the date, September 5, is now when they have to play their Carabao Cup match.

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Who’s joining the National League Part 4? National South Champions Wealdstone who step up are another team to join the ‘1899 Club’ as The Stones were founded in this year too. The club have had a variety of homes, starting in Wealdstone but over the years have played in Harrow, ground sharing Vicarage Road with Watford before settling, in 2008, at the Grosvenor Vale ground in Ruislip.

Also known as The Royals the club have several claims to fame: in 1929 they were involved in a record FA Cup score which has never been repeated - a 7-7 draw with Dulwich Hamlet in a Fourth Qualifying Round match; they lost the replay 2-1. Their Athenian League fixture against Barnet was the first ever televised match by the BBC in October 1946. Wealdstone then appeared on TV again in 1949-50 when the BBC showed live their FA Cup match. And in the 1984-85 season they were the first non-league club to do the ‘double’, winning the Alliance League (equivalent of the National League) and the FA Trophy.

Notable former players include Vinnie Jones, Jermaine Beckford and Stuart Pearce. Current manager is Dean Brennan previously the boss at Hemel Hempstead, Billericay and briefly Kingstonian.

The Gulls have played Wealdstone in only two league fixtures, in National South, winning 3-0 away in October 2018 and 3-2 at Plainmoor in March 2019. There was one previous meeting, a pre-season friendly, United going down 3-1 in 1976.

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The FA have announced that for the 2020-21 season there will be no FA Cup replays, all matches have to be settled on the day. The Extra-Preliminary Round starts on September 1 and the draw for this and the Preliminary Round took place yesterday (Tuesday). And for this season all prize monies have been halved so if United win the Final next year they’ll only get £1.8 million!

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All Yellow Army fans were delighted to get official confirmation late last week that Connor Lemonheigh-Evans is indeed the promised mystery 5th signing of the summer but were surprised an ‘undisclosed fee’ was included prompting questions about when did United last pay a fee.

My research takes me to July 2012 when Billy Bodin signed from Swindon Town for a reported £70,000. It was the same season we said goodbye to ‘keeper Bobby Olejnik who went to Peterborough for £338,000 and Mark Ellis to Crewe for £45,000.

Sad news on Monday with the passing of ex-Gull Alan Welsh at the young age of 73. He was signed from Millwall by Frank O’Farrell in November 1967 and played 27 League & Cup games scoring 8 times in his first season. He was a great addition to the squad and when sold to Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 1972 had played 161 League & Cup games scoring 50 goals. Our condolences to his family; I’m sure there’ll be many in the Yellow Army who have fond memories of watching him play.

As always you can contact me at: fanszone.tu@gmail.com

To the Yellow Army stay safe and start counting down those days to football.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

2nd September 2020

AUGUST NEWSLETTER

Chairman's Comments

Firstly, I would like to say that I hope that all of the Torquay United community have stayed safe and well, both physically and mentally, whilst maintaining a level of financial sustainability during this difficult and lengthy unprecedented period.

Your TUST board have kept as busy as we are able behind the scenes in endeavouring to stay up to date with events so as to maintain our readiness to support Torquay United FC in any way needed. You can follow these activities through our monthly postings of our board meeting minutes and the many bulletins on our social media sites. Furthermore, you can read football news, especially that involving Torquay United in Nick Brodrick’s Fans’ Zone column every week in the Herald Express and subsequently on all three Torquay fans’ forums.

TUST wrote recently to the club’s directors via Dom Mee, as he represents the club as the Supporter Liaison Co-ordinator. Following this, we have had a productive and lengthy virtual meeting with Dom on behalf of the directors in response, sharing views on how we can all help TUFC with the resumption of football, which will be clearly challenging for all involved at this time. We took the opportunity to raise some of the concerns that fans had expressed regarding the early termination of last term’s season tickets and the communication of details about new season tickets. We aim to move forwards in working together for the good of our club. More details of this are summarised for your information below.

As well, TUST continues to liaise with the Torquay United Community Sports Trust and wholeheartedly supports the ongoing excellent work their team are doing on behalf of TUFC in outreaching to the local community, schools and youngsters. We look forward to maintaining this co-operation and support with TUFC related initiatives. We are also planning to meet again with the Official Supporters’ Club soon to establish where we can work together and avoid any duplication of roles. We are all Torquay United supporters after all.

Nationally, TUST liaison continues regularly with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) who are working closely with our politicians, through the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Secretary and committee, as well as liaising with the FA, Premier League, Football League and non-league clubs. We receive updates on a weekly basis and TUST is also an active member of the FSA-organised National Game Network and the Devon Supporters’ Trust Group. TUST has added its name to the overwhelming number of football club organisations in supporting the FSA's 'Sustain the Game' campaign, which is also being backed by an increasing number of cross-party MPs – see details below.

Finally, the best thing is the looking forward to the chance of returning to live football again, as I am sure are all football supporters around the country. Hopefully, we will eventually see you all at Plainmoor ready to go!

Best wishes,
Michel Thomas - COYY!

Meeting with TUFC representative

As the Chairman has mentioned in his introduction, a group of TUST board members had a positive two and a half hour Zoom meeting with Dominic Mee, TUFC Media and Supporter Liaison Co-ordinator.

Dom opened the meeting by stating that the club’s directors look to work positively together with all parties for the benefit of the club. TUST welcomed this and said it was always its wish to do so and to contribute to the club’s growth and success, even if this meant offering constructive criticism on occasions.

The continuing impact of the Covid crisis on short term plans for the season starting and other initiatives was noted and accepted by all. With this in mind the following points were covered;
TUST to help the Club by circulating official announcements via its communication with members and social media (and independently via NB’s column in the Herald Express where appropriate).
The Club would not consider the re-introduction of Matchday Ambassadors for the foreseeable future due to Covid-19. We propose to discuss this further with the Club as we feel that Ambassadors could make a valuable contribution when fans return to Plainmoor during these unprecedented circumstances.
There was recognition that both parties shared the same objective of promoting awareness of the club in the business community and generating support from it. Ways of working together towards this goal and how our roles may complement each other would be considered in due course.
TUST and Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST) were keen to re-launch the successful pre-match Fan Zones, although this is not practical in the short term due to Covid-19 restrictions.
TUST explained how together with TUCST it had facilitated Community Hubs, taking the TUFC message to various locations and communities to promote interest in and support for the Club.
TUST to provide details of its disabled facilities information and ideas for projects it could support.
The Club were informed of the support and sponsorship that TUST had given to TUCST and to the Torquay United Women's Football Club.
The Senior Gulls, which is open to all supporters, has made a good start and is co-ordinated by TUCST in alliance with TUST and with support from the club.
It was suggested that TUST and TUCST could assist the club with expansion of the newly formed Torquay United Former Players' Association.
The Club would be happy to help TUST in facilitating a presentation event in Boots & Laces for the Ian Twitchin Trophy once current restrictions are lifted.
TUST fed back some thoughts on the curtailed season tickets. Its experience was that most ST holders were happy to forgo any potential refund for missed games, a position actively encouraged by TUST.
In conclusion, all present agreed that it had been a positive, forward-looking meeting. It was proposed to hold regular meetings in future.


Summary of board meeting held on 17th August.

The new season
Limited attendances will be permitted and the Club had already made arrangements to sell season tickets to existing ST holders. The National League management had subsequently issued guidance advising against the sale of season tickets but this had resulted in confusion and frustration among its member clubs. TUFC’s own plans for selling tickets to other supporters had not been publicised at the time of this meeting.

Nick Brodrick drew attention to the new ‘Let Fans In’ campaign aimed at persuading the government to allow attendance at grassroots matches.

The Chairman highlighted the success of the recent Jack Leslie Campaign in reaching its target for funding a statue at Home Park in his memory.

Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST)
Members of the TUST board had met with Jamie McInnes, manager of TUCST, the previous week for an update.

With some relaxation of the lockdown restrictions, TUCST was very busy running sessions for children of all ages.

It had been suggested during the meeting that, if the Official Supporters Club gets off the ground, it may be appropriate for it to take on the organisation of the TQ1 Club (for juniors). This led to some discussion about the respective roles of TUST, TUOSC and TUCST and how the organisations could work together to complement each other and benefit the Club. A meeting of the three parties was proposed.

JM had also updated on the plans for the Women’s Football Club. The club had been successful in building a new squad and would be playing in the same league as last season’s results had been expunged.

Policy for donations
TUST has a commitment to allocate up to 50% of its net surplus to community or football related causes. For the current year this stands at approximately £2,700, subject to confirmation of the final accounts.

There was a wide-ranging debate about possible uses for these funds from local welfare charities such as those addressing mental health and domestic abuse, to those with a football focus such as disability facilities at Plainmoor or TUCST. It was agreed to give this further consideration in due course so that a recommendation can be made to the AGM.


Sustain The Game!

Supporters’ groups from across the country have joined forces with politicians and pundits to launch “Sustain The Game!” – a new campaign which calls for urgent action from the authorities to protect the existence of clubs throughout the game.

TUST has added its support to this FSA co-ordinated campaign, the principles of which are;
Protect our clubs – football clubs are community assets and an important expression of individual and local identity, they deserve legal protection and urgent support to secure their future;
Transparency – everyone has a right to know who owns their club, and how clubs and the authorities operate. Owners are custodians of clubs on behalf of all of us;
Financial controls – fans want rules with real teeth which are independently enforced, clubs and leagues can’t be left to regulate themselves;
Strengthen the pyramid – football as a whole is wealthy, but we need a smarter and fairer use of the money in the game to encourage sustainability;
Supporter engagement – fans are the lifeblood of the game, they need a voice in their clubs and on all issues that affect them and their communities.


SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

8th September 2020

FAREWELL JAMIE

The TUST board were very sorry to learn this week of the imminent departure of Jamie McInnes as Community Manager of the Torquay United Community Sports Trust. Over the past couple of years we have developed a tremendous partnership with TUCST through initiatives such as the pre-match Fan Zones and popular Senior Gulls sessions. The success of these and other events has been largely due to the commitment and passion shown by Jamie.

He has given much time to the local community on behalf of our club, with much enthusiasm, innovation and insight in helping develop TUCST to where it is today. This outreach has been wide ranging and inclusive of differing ages from seniors to young children. His contribution was highlighted by the sterling community support he and his team have offered during the last few difficult months.

The TUST board have very much enjoyed working with Jamie and the TUCST on the TUFC related initiatives we have launched together as well as in planning the way forward to build on these. It has been a great co-operative working relationship which we hope has sown the seeds for future success.

We have written to Jamie on behalf of all our members thanking him for his contribution and wishing him well in whatever path his future career takes.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY