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TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Dec 30, 2021 13:23:24 GMT

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Post by rjdgull on Dec 30, 2021 13:23:24 GMT

29th December 2021

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR v YEOVIL TOWN
TUST STATEMENT

Along with Torquay United Football Club, TUST has been made aware of the totally unacceptable, moronic chanting by a minority of individuals on the Popside at Boxing Day's match about the tragic death of former Yeovil Town skipper Lee Collins.

Any supporters who witnessed this unpleasant, disgusting, disrespectful incident, or may have phone footage, are asked to report them to the club via yellowarmy@torquayunited.com so as to assist the club in their investigations.

TUST is disappointed that a minority have tarnished the good name of Gulls' loyal supporters.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
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Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Dec 30, 2021 17:22:57 GMT

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Post by rjdgull on Dec 30, 2021 17:22:57 GMT

30th December 2021

FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

YEOVIL OUT FOR THE COUNT AS UNITED PULL NO PUNCHES IN ENTERTAINING BOXING DAY FEAST

It seemed it was a West Country Boxing (Day) contest between two heavyweights if the first twenty minutes of sparring were anything to judge by as United had to match their physical opponents, tackle by tackle, with the afternoon’s ref, Scott Jackson, choosing to keep hands from his pockets although it turned out he played his cards right, saving his red for two incidents late on, plus four yellows, all to the visitors.

Soon after they had their first red Ben Wynter put United in front, then four minutes later it was 2-0 as Sparkes’ vicious volley took a deflection only for keeper Smith to palm it into his own net and Yeovil were on the ropes. Could the Gulls deliver the knock-out blow? The ten men rallied, hit the cross-bar and MacDonald made a strong save after his only mistake of the afternoon.

United’s third, thanks to Joe Lewis, who put in another impressive performance, with a free header four minutes from time, had Yeovil out for the count. By the final whistle the Glovers were off but to a re-match next Sunday.

Then as the season’s highest attendance of 3,830 were filtering out of Plainmoor there was still time for Yeovil keeper Grant Smith to get a straight red.

As United boss Gary Johnson said after the game, ”We can’t go over the top because we play them again in a week’s time.” On Sunday in fact, with Yeovil looking not only to be without three of their starting eleven but also with their eyes on the visit of AFC Bournemouth on the Saturday for their FA Cup Third Round tie.

United look to be without Armani Little who picked up his fifth booking after scoring his 10th goal of the season on Tuesday at Eastleigh.

Disappointingly it has subsequently been reported that there were distasteful moronic chants directed at Yeovil supporters over the tragic death of their captain Lee Collins by a minority of individuals on the Popside; the club is carrying out investigations and asks any supporters with information and/or phone footage to contact yellowarmy@torquayunited.com.

************

Since Boxing Day 2015 at Plainmoor United have now won five in a row: Forest Green 4-1, Forest Green 4-3, Truro City 4-2, Yeovil Town 6-1 and Yeovil Town 3-0.

National League Boxing Day Crowd Watch: Stockport had a fantastic 8,896 for their 5-1 win, United were next with 3,830 followed by 3,759 at Bromley and 3,699 at Aldershot. Bottom club Dover, yet to record a win, only had 697 watching a 2-0 defeat.

**************

End-Of-Year Report:

Mathematics: C- Still trying to find some consistency, adding and subtracting points beginning to improve but too many negatives. Goal difference remains negative.

History: C+ Doing well earlier in the year but fell down at the final (play-off) fence. Been inconsistent since the Summer break.

Geography: C- Plenty of travel stories but field trips have resulted in poor away form.

PE: C- Flattered to deceive on occasions; could do better but can be entertaining.

PSHE: A* First class knowledge of Covid protocols; keen to keep everyone safe.

Art: E Poor with even drawing cups and decided not to try a bowl.

Music: D Too reliant on ‘Sweet Caroline’. Needs to try a new tune.

Drama: E Failed to spot the winner at Ashton Gate although ‘Gary Time’ is exciting.

Textiles: B+ New kit designs look good even in black & white.

Owner’s Report: B Manager needs squad refreshment to gatecrash the play-offs in 2022 but in Gary we trust.

**************

Three TUST officials met with Torbay MP Kevin Foster before Christmas to discuss the recent report on the future of football produced by former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch MP. Foster said,”It was good to have a detailed discussion about some of the items put forward in the Fan-Led Review, not least how governance structures could be reformed to ensure fans have a greater voice.”

And don’t forget, as the Football Supporters Association reminds us, to make sure football is run sustainably in the future, contact your local MP to support the Fan-Led Review.

**************

There’s beginning to be disquiet amongst many managers over Covid cancellations, some at very short notice, in particular Hull called off their Championship match against Blackburn two hours before kick-off, making a total of 33 fixtures postponed across the Premier League, EFL and National League on Boxing Day.

Not that far back matches used to be played on Christmas Day with the return, against the same team, 24 hours later.

AFC Wimbledon have told the EFL they want clubs who postpone games for coronavirus outbreaks ‘ to be held to account’. They have published a strongly worded letter to the EFL, “We want the EFL to undertake its due processes and implement the strongest possible measures to ensure that - where a club was unable to fulfil a fixture, they must be held to account for all decisions which led to that position.”

Covid rules in the National League say teams have to have 14 players, including a goalkeeper, named as their first team squad, to play.

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There’s still time to enter the Christmas Quiz Parts One & Two with the deadline extended to Friday December 31, there are £10 & £15 club shop gift vouchers up for grabs. All the answers can be found on the club’s official website but they’ll be listed here next week.

*************

On Boxing Day United supported Shelter’s #NoHomeKit wearing their black & white, could that change their away fortunes around at Eastleigh on Tuesday? The answer was no with yet another loss on the road.

With the Yeovil return coming up on Sunday Gary Johnson and his squad must be looking to get 2022 off to a positive start.

************

From all at TUST we wish owner Clarke Osborne, directors George Edwards and Mel Hayman, Gary Johnson, Aaron Downes, the players and management teams all a very happy and successful New Year.

And best wishes to the Yellow Army especially those who travel hundreds of miles on a regular basis.

Stay safe in 2022.

COYY.

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
TFF member

Admin

Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Jan 7, 2022 19:38:57 GMT

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Post by rjdgull on Jan 7, 2022 19:38:57 GMT

7th January 2022

FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

THE TREMENDOUS THOUSAND WITNESS A YEOVIL DOUBLE TO REMEMBER

Double tops! That’s the way to start a New Year - a win at West Country rivals Yeovil plus sweet home and away victories. Dan Holman - the Goalman - much derided on social media for his lack of goals, may just have kick-started United’s chances of gatecrashing the play-off party as the Gulls have reached the half-way point of their season.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, affectionately known as The Lemon, squeezed out two outstanding pieces of skill in the last 15 minutes of Sunday’s game, first with a wicked goal direct from his corner kick and then an audacious chip to Holman who netted in Gary Time. It was worth the amazing 1,034 Yellow Army getting another wet afternoon. What fantastic support.

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National League Crowd Watch: More than 30,000 attended Northern Premier League games last Bank Holiday Tuesday, including 2,279 at FC United, 2,155 at Matlock Town and 1,679 at Clitheroe. In National South Dorking Wanderers’ record crowd of 2,048 witnessed the home side thrashing Havant & Waterlooville 8-0. Chesterfield’s top-of-the-table clash with FC Halifax attracted 8,106 while Altrincham’s gate was increased by over 1,000 Wrexham fans.

Last Sunday Yeovil’s gate included 1,034 Yellow Army, Notts County v Wrexham was watched by 8,890, Woking’s match with local rivals Aldershot, a 3-2 win for the visitors, had 5,171 while in National South the Hertfordshire derby between St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead drew 2,759.

On Bank Holiday Monday this week Taunton Town had 1,473 for a 3-1 win over rivals Tiverton Town.

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So, what are Torquay’s chances of grabbing a play-off slot? They have 30 points from 22 games, with another 22 fixtures left. They currently sit eight points from seventh, the last play-off position.

Last season, when 42 games was the maximum compared with 44 this time round, Bromley secured the final place with 69 points. Bromley only lost eleven games and United have already lost ten, so there’s little room for error.

Much may depend on what happens, or doesn’t happen, in January’s transfer window. Will Joe Lewis, Armani Little, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans still be squad members come the end of the month? Who will come in? Well, welcome to Stephen Wearne, an attacking mid-fielder on loan from Sunderland.

************

Time then for a look into the crystal ball for some 2022 Predictions: United sneak into the play-offs with a thrilling victory at Southend on the final day of the season; Sinclair Armstrong returns to QPR but Gary Johnson dips into the transfer market as Clarke Osborne backs a late run for another try at a Football League return; ‘Sweet Caroline’ continues as part of the goal celebrations; Tracey Crouch’s slightly watered down Fan-Led Review passes through Parliament and the future and sustainability of football are assured; United’s owner Clarke Osborne continues his search for a site for a new stadium with help from SportTorbay.

And how are the pundits’ 2021 predictions getting on?

Steve Harris: Chesterfield, Wrexham, Stockport.

Adam Virgo: Chesterfield, Stockport, Dagenham & Redbridge

Fans’ Zone: Stockport, Chesterfield, Wrexham

Current positions: Chesterfield, FC Halifax, Wrexham, Boreham Wood, Dagenham & Redbridge.

***********

There’s growing concern amongst many managers on two issues. Firstly, on the urgent need for clarity about match cancellations. At the moment games are called off not just for Covid reasons but for injuries too. There are calls for injuries to no longer influence Covid-19 postponements as fears grow for the integrity of the competitions.

Some Premier League sides have squads of nearly fifty and although the rules state matches must go ahead if there are 14 players available and are only called off in “exceptional circumstances”, this has clearly not been the case. What is required is transparency for each postponement in future.

The National League allowed two matches on Sunday and one on Monday to be called off for Covid reasons. Last week the EFL moved to limit some of the uncertainty by agreeing that players would not be tested on a matchday unless they had Covid-19 symptoms.

Allied to all these concerns is the second issue about how many substitutes can be used. Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers is the latest Premier manager to call for the return of five subs on the grounds of player welfare.

In total contrast China’s football authorities have banned their footballers from getting tattoos, instructing national players to remove existing body art to set a “ good example to society”.

**************

Christmas Quiz Answers: Part One January to June:

Joe Lewis joined from Swansea City, Max Sheaf joins on loan from Hull City, United beat Southport in the FA Trophy, Fraser Kerr left to join Chesterfield, Robin Stubbs celebrated his 80th birthday, United’s only goal win at Wrexham was scored by Sam Sherring, Yellow Army were allowed back into Plainmoor to watch Barnet, United’s U-16s became JPL champions after beating Kidderminster Harriers, the Play-Off final crowd was 6.606, Adam Randell was voted Young Player of the Season.

There were no winners.

Answers Part Two July to December:

Adam Randell was second in the Goal of the Season, Olaf Koszela scored United’s first pre-season goal, John Turner was United’s keeper, Gabby Rogers scored for Tiverton, Shaun MacDonald made a surprise return, Gary Johnson handed out boxes of pizza, Sinclair Armstrong joined from QPR, Frank O’Farrell celebrated his 93rd birthday, United’s U-18 lost their FA Cup tie to Newport County, Joe Felix joined from Billericay Town.

There were no winners.

What are your 2022 predictions? Send yours to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet

A club shop gift voucher for the best.

Dagenham & Redbridge are Saturday’s visitors to Plainmoor; let’s get behind the team for the second half of the season.

A Happy New Year to all readers.

COYY

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
TFF member

Admin

Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Jan 15, 2022 18:45:48 GMT

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Post by rjdgull on Jan 15, 2022 18:45:48 GMT

14th January 2022

FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

UNITED’S RACE INTO 2-0 LEAD COMES UNSTUCK IN A GLUEPOT BUT MATCH IS AN ENTERTAINING HIT

The build up to this National League duel centred on current form, visitors Dagenham & Redbridge were the Fab Four with twelve points from the last twelve while Torquay were, to re-write a Meat Loaf hit, ‘Four out of Five Ain’t Bad’, had twelve points from their last fifteen.

On a glue pot of a pitch it turned out honours even although to be fair after the first twenty minutes when the Gulls raced into a 2-0 lead and it could or should have been more, the next hour belonged to the best side seen at Plainmoor this season, who after Danny Wright’s goal, in a brief team gathering seemed to say ’We Can Work It Out’. Once Balanta, surely destined for a big money move, had equalised, it looked as if there would be only one winner but with dogged determination United held on.

Congratulations to Dan Martin for making the Non-League Paper Team of the Day but for many the Man of the Match award should have gone to Shaun MacDonald for a string of fine saves which helped Torquay cling on to a point. Not for the first time this season Joe Lewis was in the Vanarama Team of the Week.

The entertaining contest certainly was a case of Daggers drawn as the visitors, who moved up to fourth, went to catch their ‘Ticket To Ride’ train home.

And a word here to the club’s ownership for the work carried out last Summer on the pitch for, with the amount of rain that fell in the days before the match, in previous years this game would certainly have been called off.

A draw then was a point gained and was the first home one this season against a side Torquay had taken seven matches to actually score against, the previous six meetings amazingly without a goal from United; thank you Asa Hall after 25 seconds!

A word, too, about Stephen Wearne, the newest loan signing, who had a decent debut receiving a deserved round of applause as he made his way around the Popside and Family Stand back to the dugout when substituted.

**************

National League Crowd Watch: Without the ‘bigger’ clubs playing Torquay’s 2,339 was the largest of the day followed by Halifax 1,822, Aldershot 1,714, Bromley 1,411 and Weymouth 1,335.

In the North Lee Mansell’s Gloucester City were watched by 1,103 and in the South 1,345 saw a 1-1 draw between Dartford and Dulwich Hamlet.

Big congratulations to Boreham Wood, 2-0 winners over AFC Wimbledon with 3,501 in attendance and to Kidderminster Harriers winning 2-1 over Reading in front of 5,178 for keeping the non-league flag flying in the FA Cup while Yeovil had 7,818 in their 3-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.

This seems like a boom time for non-league football for attendances with record crowds for many sides over Christmas and New Year, these are just a few examples: Macclesfield v Winsford 4,353, Bognor Regis v Worthing 2,239, Hastings United v Lancing 2,017, Bromsgrove Sporting v Stourbridge 1,658 and Falmouth Town v Penryn Athletic 1,171.

**************

Some interesting food for thought stats about current goings on in football. Take for instance, the ref’s assistants, formerly known as linesmen, why do they raise their flags for offside so late? On Saturday play had carried on for some time as United attacked only for the flag to up. Mind you in the case of Dan Holman’s winner at Yeovil, when the flag should have gone up, it didn’t thankfully.

Have you also noticed how little time the ball’s in play? Gary Johnson often complains about time wasting but the latest stats suggest there’s more to this than gamesmanship. Armani Little received his crucial fifth yellow at Eastleigh for his goal celebration enabling the game to be held up - incidentally his absence on Saturday was not because Wearne’s arrival was a prelude to Little’s departure as was the speculation, but due to a dead leg in training - but so do ordinary goal celebrations typically taking up to over a minute. So much so, that Premier League stats make for sobering reading.

The average ‘ball in play’ times for season 2019-20: 55 minutes 49 seconds; 2020-21: 56 minutes 22 seconds and so far for 2021-22: 54 minutes 35 seconds. With no ball boys/girls in these Covid times to retrieve a ball, spectators are being short changed their entrance fees. Seems as if the fourth officials’ added times should, at the very least, be doubled. What do you think?

**************

More National League managers are calling for a promotion shake-up. Chesterfield’s boss James Rowe says, “I don’t really call it non-league anymore,” adding, “It’s a really good league with really healthy attendances and I think that needs to be rewarded with more spots going into the EFL.”

Bolton manager, Ian Evatt, formerly at Barrow said, “It’s crazy the clubs in that division - the National League - there’s only one automatic promotion place.”

Grimsby’s Paul Hurst adds, “I think there should be three promotion spots and three relegation.”

Three going down might be difficult as those teams that drop out - four usually - split two into the North and two into the South.

**************

Torquay United Women: What a start for Esme Kilburn-Thompson following her transfer last week from rivals Exeter City. City’s Young Female Player of the Year last season marked her Torquay debut with a stunning hat-trick in her new team’s 10-3 victory over Middlezoy. With Danni Wyatt (2) and Alex Sheppard (2) amongst the scorers United moved up to third.

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If you haven’t written to your MP yet about the Fan-Led Review, there’s still time. We want as many Members of Parliament as possible to support this important piece of legislation to pass through when Tracey Crouch MP’s review is debated later in the year. See the template letter below which can be copied and pasted in to a personalised e-mail or letter.

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Predictions for 2022? Some of yours so far: a near miss for the play-offs; Joe Lewis for a EFL move; United go on an unbeaten run. One more week to add yours, send to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or to Twitter: @fanszonet.

No game this weekend as it’s an FA Trophy one so looking forward to Altrincham away on January 22.

COYY

TEMPLATE LETTER TO MP

YOU CAN GOOGLE THE NAME OF YOUR MP AND FIND THEIR E-MAIL OR POSTAL ADDRESS

YOU CAN ONLY CONTACT THAT MP AS LONG AS YOU HAVE AN ADDRESS IN THE CONSTITUENCY

Dear………

FAN-LED REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOOTBALL

As a long standing football supporter of Torquay United I am writing to you to ask for you to support the recently published Fan-Led Review recommendations as set out by Tracey Crouch MP and her team for the long-term sustainability of football in this country.

The report recognises there is a wide consensus on the need for change, from football fans in general and other stakeholders but it will need cross-party political support from MPs, like yourself, to ensure legislation is put into place.

I, therefore, respectfully urge you to put your full support behind this report to see that the necessary legislation is passed as quickly as possible.

Yours sincerely,

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
TFF member

Admin

Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Jan 22, 2022 10:37:06 GMT

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Post by rjdgull on Jan 22, 2022 10:37:06 GMT

22nd January 2022

FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

YOUNG GULLS GO FOR IT IN LEAGUE AND CUP WHILE THE WOMEN’S TEAM NET SIXTEEN IN TWO GAMES

Whilst Gary Johnson’s Torquay United had a blank Saturday as it was mainly an FA Trophy weekend, it was the turn of Chris Todd’s Under-18 side to step up into the limelight with two impressive victories. First was a 3-1 league cup win at Wimborne Town setting up a semi-final against Yeovil Town. This was followed by a terrific 2-0 success at South West Counties league leaders Bridgwater moving second placed Gulls only three points adrift with a game in hand. Let’s hope that owner Clarke Osborne’s support of an academy will bear fruit and some of these starlets eventually progress to first team football.

***************

With these hopefuls looking forward for a successful professional career, a number of ex-players had a mixed weekend: Bedford Town’s Renee Howe notched his 22nd goal of the season, with yet another penalty; Jamie Reid scored twice for Stevenage in a 3-3 draw with Sutton United while Lucas Covolan received his marching orders - again - playing for Port Vale.

Well done to manager Tim Sills’ Hamworthy United (The Hammers of Poole) for their 3-2 win on Saturday taking them into the FA Vase Fifth Round for the first time in their history, coming back from 0-2 down to visitors Glebe at half-time, joining Buckland Athletic in the last sixteen.

***************

Anyone looking for a prolific goalscoring striker? Look no further than Southern Combination League Premier leaders Littlehampton Town’s Joe Benn whose seven goals in a recent league game took his tally for the season to 55! The transfer window closes on January 31 at 11pm.

Could Sinclair Armstrong be on the move? There are strong rumours that Manchester City are favourites to sign him from QPR. If true we saw him here first.

***************

Non-League Crowd Watch: South Shields continue to have great home support with 1,934 at Saturday’s game to see a 2-0 win keeping them third in the Northern Premier; National North Hereford pulled in 1,484, Worthing, leaders of the Isthmian Premier had 1,295 and Bromsgrove Sporting of the Southern League Central were watched by 1,011.

**************

Spare a thought for Chester FC - are they English or Welsh? Their Deva Stadium is in the bizarre situation that whilst the entrance to the stadium is in England the pitch is in Wales. Under current Welsh Coronavirus Regulations - due to be lifted on Friday - attendances are limited to just 50 spectators and the club has been warned that they have already broken these rules having had crowds of over 2,000 at matches in December and early January.
Chester, a supporter owned, community football club, felt they had no alternative but to call off last Saturday’s home National North fixture with Brackley Town. But Chester FC are an English club playing under the jurisdiction of the English FA.

**************

Now a success story. A week ago Swindon Town had a dream FA Cup Third Round home tie with the Premier League’s top side Manchester City, going down 4-1. But go back to the Summer of 2021 and it was looking as if the club could go out of business. Swindon, recently relegated into League 2, were in turmoil, ousted owner Lee Power had left the club with no manager and only six players on the books with those staff still there not being paid. Step forward Australian plumbing entrepreneur Clem Morfumi who bought the club, appointing Ben Garner as manager; Garner, previously a youth team coach at Crystal Place and briefly manager at Bristol Rovers, had two weeks to assemble a squad - sound familiar? - for an important EFL season. So far he’s done pretty well with Swindon sitting in fourth, one point from the automatic promotion group.

**************

No news from TQ1 about possible banning orders following the distasteful chanting at the Boxing Day clash with Yeovil Town about their captain Lee Collins taking his own life last March. His widow, Rachel Gibbon, mother of his three daughters, is leading a campaign to promote Mind, Body and Sole, a non-profit organisation, which raises mental health awareness. Gibbon wants to see more welfare officers at clubs funded by the Professional Footballers’
Association to help struggling players to see life beyond the end of their careers.

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Torquay United Women: having demolished Middlezoy last week 10-3, the return fixture on Sunday saw United’s women’s team do the double with a 6-1 success. Esme Kilburn-Thompson with two took her tally to five in two games since her transfer from Exeter City; Ellie Bishop (2), Roisin Payne and Beth Everson were the other scorers. The win takes the women’s team to within three points of leaders Sherborne Town.

***************

Next up for United is a trip to Altrincham. Last season both sides played out a meaningless 0-0 draw but now there’s much more at stake. United, as Gary Johnson has said, are looking to ‘come out of the pack’ to gatecrash the play-offs while Altrincham are hoping to halt a disastrous run which, in December, saw them draw at the beginning of the month and then went on to lose the next five including an FA Trophy defeat to lower league Runcorn. January hasn’t started any better with one draw and two defeats with the form table showing one point from the last 18 with goals for 3 and against 15.

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Predictions for 2022? ‘Keep on supporting the Gulls’, ‘Yellow Army for ever’, ‘Looking for a top seven finish’ are just a few more hopes for the remainder of the season. This week it’s back to Three Word Fun. Why you support the Gulls in three words - send yours to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or to Twitter: @fanszonet.

To the Yellow Army going to Altrincham, a whole coach load with the Away Travel Club, or by other transport, have a safe journey.

COYY

Last Edit: Jan 22, 2022 10:47:25 GMT by rjdgull

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
TFF member

Admin

Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Jan 24, 2022 20:26:33 GMT

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Post by rjdgull on Jan 24, 2022 20:26:33 GMT

24th January 2022

JANUARY NEWSLETTER

Chairman's introduction

Dear members and supporters,

Firstly, hoping everyone has a less challenging, healthy and joyful New Year.
Wishing the same for all at our football club, TUFC, including the management, staff and players.

The summary of our recent meeting, as follows, updates you on all the different actions and initiatives that TUST have been implementing and planning in the last month or so. It is very encouraging that so many different board members are, voluntarily, taking on many different tasks in supporting our football club and its wider community on your behalf.

Recently we have been taking stock of the numerous TUST achievements over the last two or three years, often despite covid restrictions and other travails. We will be reminding our club community of these accomplishments in the coming months. A huge thank you goes to all of those members whose continuing subscriptions have enabled us to fulfil these.

We have also reflected that, when many supporters pull together, good deeds can be done to support our club, its fan base and the community it serves. All this for just a basic TUST subscription fee of only 50p a week..... Please consider joining us, if you are not already a member!

Again, we wish success, memorable moments, togetherness and a healthy future
for all things TUFC.

COYY!

Michel Thomas
on behalf of TUST
SUMMARY OF BOARD MEETING

Relations with TUFC

We are sad to report that our request for a meeting of TUST board members with the Club’s Media & Supporter Liaison Co-ordinator (Dom Mee) has been declined ‘for the foreseeable future’. We have asked what it is that TUST has to do for meetings to resume and are awaiting a response.

The board expressed its continuing concern at the failure of the Club to engage with its main democratic, independent supporters’ group.

Local councillors

A group of TUST board members met with Councillors Steve Darling (Leader) and Darren Cowell (Deputy Leader) on 8th January to update them on the Fan-Led Review and TUST’s achievements.

The councillors had been very supportive of the FLR proposals and TUST’s activities. They were disappointed to learn of the Club’s refusal to engage meaningfully with TUST and to involve it in its own community focused events. Steve Darling would raise this with the Club’s directors and seek to arrange a joint meeting with TUFC, TUST, Torquay United Community Sports Trust and council representatives in due course.

In the meantime, TUST Chair, Michel Thomas, will attend the next Sport Torbay meeting on 26th January.

Fan-Led Review

We are delighted to advise our members that Kevin Foster MP has arranged for a delegation from TUST to join him in a meeting with Tracey Crouch MP at the Houses of Parliament in March to discuss the implications of her FLR for non-league clubs and TUFC in particular.

Community Sports Trust (TUCST)

We are pleased to continue our close relationship with TUCST and to provide financial support for its excellent work in the community.

TUST’s latest contribution has been the purchase of goals for the Minis Under-7 group.

We are now in discussion about a proposal to allocate TUST funding to establish a Junior Inspirations league for young disabled players and how we can help with a return of the pre-match Fan Zones in the Spring.

Women’s Team

TUST has provided sponsorship for new tracksuits for the womens’ squad and it’s great to see the team doing so well on the pitch!

Membership campaign

The board have been hugely impressed that membership has held up and actually increased slightly during the past couple of difficult years.

However, there is strength in numbers and following discussions at previous meetings, a plan for a recruitment drive has been agreed. There will be many elements to this but it will include a poster explaining the role of TUST, digital, radio and press advertising, emphasis on TUST’s community contributions, a banner for display at games, an interview for a Talking Torquay podcast and updating the TUST website.

The campaign will highlight that membership costs less than 50p per week.

Current members can play their part by encouraging friends and family to join!

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
TFF member

Admin

Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Jan 29, 2022 15:19:41 GMT

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Jan 29, 2022 15:19:41 GMT

28th January 2022

FANS' ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

NATIONAL LEAGUE’S MARK IVES SPILLS THE BEANS ABOUT TALKS WITH EFL WHILE ARE THERE PLANS BEHIND THE SCENES FOR A STADIUM SITE?

Gary Johnson rightly assesses that for Torquay United to have a chance of gatecrashing the play-offs his team needs to average two points a game until the end of the season.

Well, after Saturday’s hard fought win at Altrincham they were on track as the latest form table confirmed: third in the National League with thirteen points from the last six games.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day and the Vanarama Team of the Week, gave the Gulls an early lead with Sunderland loanee, Stephen Wearne, securing the win with a smart finish at the start of the second half. With three late team changes - Lewis, Moxey and Lapslie pulling out at short notice - it was a pretty good performance even if the home side were on a losing streak.

Latest loan signing Stephen Duke-McKenna had an impressive debut and the Plainmoor faithful saw him in action on Tuesday night in what turned out to be a tight game resolved in the closing minutes as visitors Solihull Moors took home the points.

To get to seventh place United are eight points away but have played a few more games than some but points already won are often better than games in hand. With 19 games to go that’s 57 points to play for. As Johnson says his side can afford to lose one in three but that presumes the other two are wins.

There are, though, suggestions that he’s been given the green light to bring in some new signings - maybe in time for the Wrexham match on Saturday week.

Tuesday’s fixture against Solihull Moors was likely to be a tough ask with visiting striker, Andy Dallas in a sudden vein of form, worthy of a TV programme, with a gush of goals - now nine in his last three matches after going 19 without scoring.

Stockport are the league’s form team, winning their last five, losing once to …Torquay United.

Wrexham splashed the cash on Monday paying AFC Wimbledon £300,000 for striker Ollie Palmer.

**********

National League Crowd Watch: Chesterfield held to a surprise 0-0 at home to Aldershot 6,422, Southend won with a late penalty in front of their highest crowd of the season 6,122, Grimsby disappointed their supporters losing at home with 5,854 watching.

Elsewhere Dulwich Hamlet had 3,344, Kidderminster 2,444, Dorking Wanderers 2,142 and Hastings Utd 1,502.

**********

National League General Manager Mark Ives gave an interview to the Magpie podcast last week giving some insight into the current thinking about important pending matters. Ives said that the League had a good relationship with the EFL and there are conversations about a third promotion place. Ives said, “It’s important for the credibility of the competition that there is another promotion spot - it’s a top priority…it’s something we want to get to.”

Ives added, “ The {promotion} system needs to be equal across the EFL and National League.”

This will be good news for Gary Johnson who’s been advocating this for a long time.

He added that the board are also investigating, with the league’s clubs and sponsors, the issue of live streaming. That’s something this column has been pushing for for some months.

Much of the podcast was spent on the introduction of a salary cap for the National League with Ives divulging there was to be an EGM this week with this topic on the agenda. What is a salary cap has to be agreed - a fixed one, a softer one or none.

On the question of number of substitutes, in the EFL there are seven, but the National League has two less, personally Ives said, he’d have the higher number but clubs’ chairmen/CEOs voted for the lower one.

With the National League containing clubs with gates far superior to most in League 2 (and a few in League 1) and with spending money on players in excess of many in the EFL it is time, as the Fan-Led Review report concludes, for the National League to follow EFL rules.

***********

Could 2022 be the year Torquay United owner Clarke Osborne earmarks a site for a new stadium and training base? At the last Sport Torbay meeting the topic of a suitable site was discussed with further talks planned - there was a meeting on Thursday.

Last week Deputy Torbay Council leader Darren Cowell was quoted saying, “ We are working with the club to identify new facilities to meet their ambitions because Torquay United are important to Torbay.”

Rather than travel to Newton Abbot it is understood the club is looking for a new training base too but where will depend on where a new stadium can be built.

***********

If it’s goals you want to see then following Fulham is the answer. Their last four games has seen them win all four with these scores: Reading 7-0, Bristol City 6-2, Birmingham 6-2 and Stoke 3-2 taking their goals scored total to 73 from 27 matches. Fulham are the first second tier side for 68 years to score six or more in three consecutive games.

************

A current topic in football is match programme or matchday magazine or online version. Those of us of a certain age will fondly recall buying a match programme on entering the ground of our favourite team but in those days that could be hit and miss as the quality varied.

Some were properly printed, others done on a manual typewriter complete with numerous crossings out, using xxxxx, typos and spelling errors. Team line-ups were shown across the centre pages in numbers 1-11 or on a loose piece of paper plus match officials.

A typical programme cost 3d (0.01 in today’s money) increasing later to 6d. There were lots of adverts for local businesses and shops. Programme collectors abounded. Fast forward to today, programmes are now magazines, with out-of-date information as they are printed in advance. Many clubs have ditched both for an online version to download.

For more on this topic and about being a football supporter you can read about ‘The Life of a Fan’ in the February/March edition of the Late Tackle magazine.

**********

Torquay United Women are through to the Devon County Cup final in April when they’ll face neighbours Exeter City. United defeated Liverton 4-0 thanks to Ellie Bishop (2), Danni Wyatt and Beth Everson. City won their semi-final 11-0.

***********

What’s your view about programmes? Not worth buying? Keep the programme? Prefer the magazine? Or download the online version? Send your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or to Twitter: @fanszonet.

No match on Saturday so another blank weekend.

COYY

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
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Admin

Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Feb 6, 2022 23:05:59 GMT via mobile

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Feb 6, 2022 23:05:59 GMT

5th February 2022

FAN ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
TUST MEMBERS OFF TO HOUSE OF COMMONS FOR FAN-LED REVIEW DISCUSSIONS

Following a meeting of three TUST board members with Torbay MP Kevin Foster before Christmas to discuss the implications of the Fan-Led Review report compiled by Tracey Crouch MP, a former Sports Minister, the Torquay United Supporters Trust have been invited to the House of Commons next month.

This is a great opportunity to meet with Ms Crouch in person as she is keen to understand how important her report is to a typical supporters’ trust and to learn first hand how vital it is for the sustainability and integrity of football for fans to be involved in the running of a community club.

TUST chairman Michel Thomas said, “We are delighted to have been asked to represent the hundreds of trusts who contributed to the report, to personally give our feedback.” A group of five TUST board members will be joined by Kevin Foster in March.

************

There was a great surprise for the Torquay United Community Sports Trusts’ youngsters when the 3-5 year olds arrived at The Hub, Paignton Academy for their Mini Gulls session where Thomas and board member Bob Cole of TUST, were on hand to present them with a pair of new mini- goals. See the picture below.

Matt Anthony, TUCST manager was delighted, “We are very grateful to TUST for buying these portable mini-goals which will be a great addition to our fun training sessions.”

************

This was a big weekend for two local women’s teams in the FA Cup, Exeter City’s women took the West Bromwich Albion women to penalties after finishing the match and extra time goal-less going down 4-2.

Bridgwater United, formerly Yeovil Town women, were watched by an amazing 2,500 as visitors Manchester United took the tie 2-0.

After last week’s Devon County semi-final win it was back to league action for Torquay United women coming from behind to grab a hard fought 2-1 win over Marine Academy Plymouth thanks to a Tracey Cross penalty with the winner coming from Esme Kilburn-Thompson.

*************

It was a case of a Harvey Field day as the Torquay United youngster hit a second half hat-trick in the Under-18s emphatic 10-0 demolition of second placed Swindon Supermarine with six others on the score sheet.

As Head of Youth Chris Todd said, “They’re a talented bunch of lads and it’s all down to them and their hard work on a daily basis.”

*************

It’s been a busy last few days of the January transfer window as far as a number of National League clubs are concerned although there is no transfer window below the EFL. Wrexham, in particular, have ‘splashed the American cash’ bringing in Crewe Alexander’s defender Callum McFadzean, AFC Wimbledon striker Ollie Palmer for £300,000 but topping that with an unconfirmed £500,000 for Tom O’Connor, a midfielder from Burton Albion following a 1-1 home draw with star striker Paul Mullin sent off for the second time against Maidenhead this season.

This is turning into the tightest of promotion races as there are only nine points between top and ninth.

Mullin’s red card means he’ll miss his team’s match with United on Saturday as he did in the earlier fixture for the same reason.

There were big money transfers moving up into the EFL with Woking’s leading scorer Tahvon Campbell making a move to Rochdale along with Solihull’s James Ball while Stockport’s John Rooney returned to Barrow for an undisclosed fee.

On the manager front Eastleigh’s Ben Stevens parted company with the club as has Chesterfield’s James Rowe while Bromley’s Andy Woodman turned down an offer to manage Gillingham. In League 1 Gary Johnson’s son, Lee, departed Sunderland following a 6-0 defeat at Bolton.

*************

Non-League Crowd Watch: With no Premier League matches a number of clubs had bumper attendances: Wrexham had 8,759 but full credit to Southend fans - all 1,935 who travelled to watch a 1-0 win at bottom club Dover outnumbering the home support.

Record numbers of 1,254 watched Bedford Town win 2-0 including yet another Renee Howe penalty.

Other noteworthy crowds: 8 clubs in National North had crowds of over 1,000 the best being at York City 3,578, Kidderminster Harriers 2,334. In other leagues: Macclesfield 4,347, Ilkeston Town 2,428, FC Isle of Man 1,505, Ramsgate 1,625, AFC Bury 1,343 and Ashford Utd 1,134.

**************

This season has seen a rise in football related arrests for crowd trouble which the police are part relating to drug misuse. The problem appears to have escalated since the incidents at Wembley for the Euro 2020 final when the stadium was taken over by ticketless fans.

Across the Premier League, EFL and the National League there have been over 1,400 incidents of disorder reported including use of pyrotechnics, alcohol, pitch encroachment and hate crimes.

Sadly, there have been incidents involving Gulls’ fans, firstly at Wrexham earlier in the season and more recently the Boxing Day match against Yeovil Town.

Disorder in League 2 is up by 33% and in the National League by 56 per cent. So far this season there have been 802 football related arrests across all the divisions, that’s a 47% increase since pre-lockdown in 2019-20 season. 210 reported incidents of disorder involved supporters under the age of 25.

*************

Programmes or magazines or online programmes? You were asked your opinions, many older readers, if they bought a programme preferred the ‘old fashioned’ type - one that is up-to-date and including, amongst other things the match officials. The ‘new’ magazine seems to have to go to print much earlier for it to be ‘glossy’ and therefore is out of date.

Reader Tony Benet raised a number of interesting points, as an exile he listens to radio commentary so an online version would be welcomed - maybe paid for. But for those who still collect programmes nothing beats a hard copy.

What’s your view. Do you still collect programmes or are they outdated? Send me your opinion to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or to Twitter: @fanszonet

Big spending Wrexham are next up having sold out their seating allocation - a big crowd is in prospect so Yellow Army get that drum out and make some noise.

COYY

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
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Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Feb 11, 2022 18:34:32 GMT

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Feb 11, 2022 18:34:32 GMT

11th February 2022

FAN ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

TORQUAY TOM OUTSHINES THE WREXHAM MILLIONS AS JOHNSON’S MASTER PLAN PAYS OFF

There have been matches when managers have got their tactics completely wrong and suffered inglorious defeats but on Saturday when high spending Wrexham came into Torbay, Gary Johnson got his spot on.

Playing skipper Asa Hall much deeper was a master stroke but wouldn’t have worked had the rest as a whole ‘run their socks off’ because this was an heroic performance for 97 minutes.

It was fitting that Hall should not only be the match winner but also Man of the Match although many of us in the Family Stand would have given it to the ever calm and assured under pressure, Dean Moxey.

A word too about the referee, Aji Ajibola, who for the most part had a good game, not something that could be said about many match officials this season.

On that showing who would you have in your mid-field, Tom Lapslie, a free signing from Colchester United, or Tom O’Connor, £500,000 from Burton Albion? Congratulations to Torquay Tom for being included in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day, he’s the epitome of a professional footballer from a bygone era: a ‘proper’ haircut, shirt always tucked in, socks pulled up with black boots - and never gives up. Shaun MacDonald was in the Vanarma Team of the Week.

And never giving up is what the manager is instilling into his players as the dream of making the play offs continues. This week sees the Gulls making the long trip to luckless Dover currently on minus 40 goal difference with only one win all season but as Johnson is always keen to point out, beware the wounded animal.

************

National League Crowd Watch: Notts County v Grimsby pulled in 9,305 helped by an amazing 2,454 away fans, Stockport had an impressive 7,269, manager-less Chesterfield 6,063 and Torquay United 3,181 not, as might have been expected, their highest gate of the season.

In National South second placed Maidstone Utd had 2,450 while Dulwich Hamlet had another full house with their regular 3,334 and in the North Hereford were watched by 2,019.

National North Kidderminster Harriers were minutes away from an FA Cup shock from knocking out Premier West Ham United but it wasn’t to be, however step forward the last non-league team Boreham Wood, with three ex-Gulls, winning 1-0 at Championship AFC Bournemouth to give them a 5th Round tie at Everton; what a performance! That’s now five cup games without conceding a goal. Let’s hope their eye is on the prize when they come to Plainmoor later this month.

************

Last week’s story about increasing fan mis-behaviour took another turn with alleged racial abuse of the match referee from the Wrexham fans at Plainmoor. The match was also halted following a coin thrown onto the pitch. Trouble also on Saturday in a League 1 fixture when leaders Rotherham, winning 1-0 at the time, gave away a penalty to visitors Accrington Stanley in the 88th minute. As the kick was about to be taken a home fan rushed onto the pitch to kick the ball off the spot, he was duly chased and apprehended. Once the game re-commenced, the penalty was missed with the result ending 1-0.

And on Sunday a Leicester fan ran on the pitch to confront the Nottingham Forest players celebrating a goal.

Clearly the FA and the police are going to have to start taking stronger measures.

*************

The history of football broadcasting is about to enter a new chapter, For some time this column has been reporting that BT was about to sell off its sports section. Early favourite was the Discovery channel but more recently streaming company Dazn took over but now the word is BT is going into a partnership with Discovery.

The story of football on TV is an interesting one: initially Sky Sports had the monopoly until 2007 when the European Commission ruled that the Premier League had to sell off some of its packages.

First up to take advantage was Setanta who took on 42 Premier matches per season plus Conference (now National League) matches. But their involvement only lasted three years after running out of money. ESPN then stepped into the void before BT took over in 2013.

Discovery purchased Eurosport in 2012 covering the Tokyo Olympics and currently running a streaming service, with Dazn, in Germany.

One concern is that these streaming services have a record of increasing subscriptions. So, if this merger between BT Sport and Discovery is set to take place, let’s hope the National League, as General Manager Mark Ives told us last week, are re-negotiating their contract - and this time to include live streaming for member clubs.

All this comes at a time when watching live sport on BBC is becoming a thing of the past. Those who are reluctant to pay for their live games are, unfortunately, the losers.

Back in 1992 the BBC had the rights to 17 of the 22 elite sports and sharing three more but now they have the rights to none and only a share in eight - and it’s all down to money, or rather the lack of it.

Most of the major events still shown by the BBC are those preserved by law for free-to-air coverage.

************

Esme Kilburn-Thompson kept her record of scoring in every game since her transfer netting the only goal in Torquay United Women’s 1-0 victory over visitors Forest Green Rovers Women, all this on a Sunday when leaders Sherborne Town lost; it’s tight at the top of the table.

*************

Last week’s column about match programmes has confirmed that printed ones are not only alive and well but also still avidly collected. Some even have ingenious names: Farnham ‘The Talk of the Town’, Truro City ‘The Roar’, Fawley ‘The Oilers’, Morpeth Town ‘The Highwaymen’ and Bridgnorth ‘The Meadowmen’.

So, are United likely to reach the play-offs, yes or no? Send your prediction to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or to Twitter: @fanszonet.

To the Yellow Army travelling, safe journey to Dover.

COYY

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
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Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Feb 18, 2022 18:17:45 GMT

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Feb 18, 2022 18:17:45 GMT

18th February 2022

FAN ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

CAN UNITED’S CURRENT FORM TAKE THEM INTO THE PLAY-OFFS? AND TIME FOR FAN COACHING?

Last week readers were asked about Torquay United’s chances of making the play-offs with seventeen games left. It’s fair to say that a month ago there were more who said a resounding ‘no’ but a look at United’s recent form has seen a turnaround in opinion.

Although it would have been a massive shock and disappointment had the Gulls lost at relegation bound Dover on Saturday, they came away from Kent with a comfortable 3-1 victory which, by all accounts, should have been more comprehensive.

So, here are the facts. United are six points off the last play-off place and given their wretched start that in itself is no mean feat. They are fourth in the current form table, having only lost once in the last six notching thirteen points from a possible eighteen.

Three out of the next four fixtures are at home, including FA Cup giants Boreham Wood. On the negative side a number of teams around and above United have games in hand, Boreham Wood for example have as many as five but points already accumulated can be of greater value in the long term than matches still to play.

Gary Johnson has said there’s always a team that “comes out of the pack” to surprise everyone so in that category don’t discount Southend whose start was even worse than Torquay’s and Southend, under new management, after a late 3-2 win at Woking on Saturday night, are unbeaten in their last nine.

With only six points between top and fifth, and nine points between top and seventh it promises to be the closest most exciting end to a season. Down to thirteenth there are ten former Football League clubs battling it out with ‘never been in the EFL’ Bromley and Boreham Wood in with a great chance to follow Sutton United who themselves are in the frame for promotion out of League 2.

With all these former League clubs, many of whom are pulling in regular gates higher than those in League 2, and many in League 1, the case for an extra promotion place gains momentum by the week.

On Saturday Asa Hall led by example once again with a quick-fire goal; his experience and leadership are a cornerstone of the club. Congratulations to Connor Lemonheigh-Evans for making the Non-League Paper’s ‘Team of the Day’ and the Vanarama ‘Team of the Week’.

***********

Non-League Crowd Watch: Tuesday night’s top of the table National League clash between Stockport County and Chesterfield, finishing 2-2, was watched by 10,236 ( 1,581 away) and Southend defeated Bromley 2-0 in front of 8,070.

In the Northern Premier Scarborough had 1,615. On Saturday ex-EFL Macclesfield, on their journey back up the leagues, currently in the North West Counties Premier, had 3,745 to see them win 4-0.

************

Following a number of disgraceful scenes at various grounds up and down the country the Premier League and EFL wrote to all their member clubs telling them they were carrying out a mid-season review of crowd behaviour, “to determine whether there were any common patterns or issues across football clubs and, in turn, how best to address any identified issues.”

There is a growing concern in football circles of a return to the terrible times of the 1970s and 80s. Even at Plainmoor this season there have been some unsavoury incidents which have been the subject of investigations but, as yet, with no outcomes. Surely, to deter others, we need to know if those responsible have been apprehended and suitably punished, for example, with banning orders.

Then there was disgraceful vandalism at Barnet on Saturday following the visit of local rivals Wealdstone.

But in the longer term are banning orders sufficient deterrents? Should there be stronger sanctions? Points deducted? A Fan Behaviour Charter?

In Belgium they have a ‘fan coaching’ programme, teaching children from a young age not just how to play the game but, crucially, how to watch it, how to respect the opposition and the referee.

Now there’s a challenge for clubs and schools to set up.

************

What’s happened to United’s third choice keeper, Marcin Brzozowski, a summer signing from QPR? He went on loan as an emergency loan to Lee Mansell’s Gloucester City in their FA Trophy 5-0 defeat to Wrexham in December but since has neither played a game nor been on their subs’ bench.

So, where is he?

***********

Torquay United’s Women went top of the table following their 5-0 win over the women from Royal Wootton Bassett with inevitably Esme Kilburn-Thompson once again amongst the scorers aided by Ellie Bishop (2), Beth Everson and Katie Bariball also on the score sheet.

Meanwhile United’s Under-18s are homing in on a title challenge in the South-West Counties Youth League after an 11-0 demolition of Wimborne Town with Brandon Quinn grabbing a hat-trick.

***********

Commiserations to the ‘other’ Yellows as Buckland Athletic were moments away from a famous FA Vase win going out on penalties. But good news for Tim Sills’ Hamworthy United going through to face Southall in the Vase Quarter-Finals.

************

So, 65% of replies feel that a play-off place is a possibility and with 51 points still available United’s current form suggests they can give it a good go.

Next up are Barnet who are on a wretched run losing five of their last six followed by the meanest defence in the league, Boreham Wood next Tuesday.

Who’s your standout player so far? Asa Hall, Joe Lewis, Armani Little, Shaun MacDonald? Send your choice to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or to Twitter: @fanszonet.

COYY

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
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Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Feb 26, 2022 14:40:48 GMT

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Feb 26, 2022 14:40:48 GMT

25th February 2022

FAN ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

BARNET PARTY POOPERS AT IT AGAIN BUT UNITED TAKE A DESERVED POINT AGAINST FA CUP GIANT KILLERS

Why do football fans keep following their team week in week out even when results aren’t what’s expected? Because following your team is a way of life, it’s part of your DNA.

Take Saturday’s match against Barnet. The visitors on a wretched run of five defeats from the last six while Torquay United were riding on the crest of a wave with only one defeat from the last six, then along comes Storm Eunice to upset the apple cart.

Fortunately the pitch was fine and no structural damage unlike our friends up the road! But those irritating Bees from London came to spoil United’s surge towards the play-offs as they did last season when the Gulls were trying to catch Sutton United at the top.

In fact the last time United beat Barnet at Plainmoor was a 3-2 League 2 fixture in 2013.

On Saturday United, thanks to Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day for the second consecutive week, raced into a 2-0 lead but a goal by the visitors in strange circumstances, against the run of play, gave them the impetus to press on and in the end either side could have claimed all three points.

Torquay were grateful to keeper Shaun MacDonald for a great save right at the death when Louis Walsh was denied in a one-on-one - it was a no from him. While most people’s Man of the Match, the Duke, blazed over the bar when he could have made a name for himself, well even more than his impressive one!

In the end Torquay had too many key players below standard so needed to up their game on Tuesday night against promotion chasing Boreham Wood who went down 2-0 in front of the BT Sport cameras at Maidenhead last Saturday.

They do, though, still have one of the meanest defences conceding only seventeen goals from their 26 games. Could the Yellow Army hope that Tuesday’s visitors had Everton on their minds next week? Though promotion is surely their priority? So, a 0-0 scoreless draw was probably not a surprise.

Like most United fans feel surely now is the time to bring a striker on loan while there is still a possibility of making the top seven.

Meanwhile there is a train of thought that if Torquay can finish the season in the top ten then that would suggest a real promotion push for next season.

************

Non-League Crowd Watch: In mid-week the local derby between Kidderminster and Hereford, won by the home side 3-0, was watched by 3,912. On Saturday 7,391 saw Chesterfield lose 3-2 to Solihull Moors, 6,820 helped leaders Stockport County to a 1-0 win and in National South Dulwich Hamlet pulled in 2,843.

************

The time is coming for the Government to back Tracey Crouch’s Fan-Led Review. Apart from those in the Premier League who are opposed to an independent regulator, there are more, especially supporters’ trusts, who are in favour of the review’s recommendations.

Crouch’s suggestion is for a new body that would recruit up to 50 staff, with initial investment of £5million from the Treasury, repayable by clubs. The regulator would oversee the governance and financial arrangements of clubs. To get around any objections and potential hold-ups, the regulator could come under the remit of the FA.

If all goes according to plan the Fan-Led Review could be in operation for the start of the 2023-2024 season. An FA spokesman said, “We welcome the findings of the Fan-Led Review and are evaluating possible solutions to the issues identified in the report.”

It was 20 years ago, in 2002, when Wimbledon fans, the Dons’ Trust, decided to set up AFC Wimbledon after their club was moved to Milton Keynes.

Other fans’ trusts, out of necessity over the years, have taken over their clubs, in the EFL Exeter City and Newport County while in non-league we have examples at Bury, Halifax and Macclesfield. Out of adversity these trusts have provided expertise as fans often have greater leadership and knowledge than the clubs’ directors. The Fan-Led Review wants to give supporters a greater say in the running of their clubs.

As the Daily Telegraph’s football correspondent Jim White writes, “If club owners had any sense, instead of viewing their customers as mere pockets from which to extract cash, they really ought to tap into their expertise.”

He goes on, “Liaise with them rather than patronise them.” Football League clubs have admitted representatives into their boardrooms including Luton, Portsmouth and Wycombe.

***********

For some time grass-roots referees have been calling for the introduction of body cameras to act as a deterrent against aggression and the occasional violence but to do so requires a change to the laws of the game.

But maybe some help is at hand as the FA has made the proposal to the International Football Association Board (IFAB). At the moment the IAFB only allows refs to wear communication head-sets and fitness monitoring equipment but the proposal is on the agenda for March. The hope is there will be permission given to trial the body cameras - and not before time many would say.

With Covid restrictions now eased TUST asks, on behalf of the club’s supporters, that entry into the ground is reviewed; why can’t card readers be available on the turnstiles and end all these deadlines for buying a ticket which can still be done online. The club might find attendances increase as a result.

***********

No Torquay United Women’s result to report as Sunday’s match was postponed due to the weather as the team looked to consolidate their top spot. Next week they travel to Royal Wootton Bassett.

In the last two games at Plainmoor players have suffered head injuries yet after receiving treatment have been allowed to continue. With continuing concerns about footballers suffering dementia from heading how long will it take for the FA to introduce HIA (Head Injury Assessment) as seen in rugby?

90% of replies have so far voted Joe Lewis the standout player of the season so far but there’s still time for your vote at: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet.

Sadly, no spectators at Wealdstone tomorrow but at least there’s free live streaming to watch the 5.15pm kick-off.

COYY

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
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Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Mar 3, 2022 19:05:08 GMT

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Mar 3, 2022 19:05:08 GMT

3rd March 2022

FAN ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

UNITED’S PLAY-OFF PUSH IS FLAGGING AS LINESMAN RULES OUT THE WINNER = BUT OH FOR A STRIKER

As a former, popular game show host asked, ‘What do points mean? Prizes’. Torquay United’s quest for a play-off place took another knock with a third consecutive draw inside a week.

Following a frustrating 2-2 draw at home to Barnet, United followed this Plainmoor disappointment with a 0-0 with FA Cup giant killers Boreham Wood and good luck to them at Everton tonight.

Then, watched by an impressive 2,700 on the free YouTube channel on Saturday evening Gary Johnson’s side contrived to drop another two points at Wealdstone. Despite bossing the first half the Gulls went down a goal and ended up chasing the game although were denied a late 87th minute ‘Gary Time’ winner in controversial circumstances. Keeper Shaun MacDonald made the Vanarama Team of the Week.

What these three games have underlined, should any confirmation be needed, is the side’s woeful lack of a striker as Johnson has alluded to on more than one occasion recently. Danny Wright is clearly not the player he once was while Klaidi Lolos is sadly out of his depth.

Against Barnet and Wealdstone Torquay dominated both first halves but came out after half-time on the back foot, rarely getting out of their own half. Whilst against Boreham Wood, the side with the meanest defence, once the line-up had Asa Hall in the back four, his presence there showed it was a ‘backs to the wall’ approach sacrificing any real attacking intent - no wonder it ended goalless.

***********

So, is it the end of gate crashing a top seven place? The manager keeps talking about some new blood but games - and points - are running out.

However, if you look at the table for games played in 2022, there is still hope and would be enhanced were a striker to be signed.

2022 table (before Tuesday night’s fixtures):

1. Stockport P10 W9 D1 L0 Pts 28

2. Southend P10 W7 D3 L0 Pts 24

3. Boreham Wood P9 W5 D3 L1 Pts 18

4. Chesterfield P11 W5 D3 L3 Pts 18

5. Notts County P9 W5 D2 L2 Pts 17

6. Grimsby P10 W5 D2 L3 Pts 17

7. Solihull Moors P8 W5 D2 L1 Pts 17

8. Torquay United P9 W4 D4 L1 Pts 16

9. Wrexham P8 W5 D1 L2 Pts 16

10. Maidenhead P9 W4 D4 L1 Pts 16

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It came as a bolt out of the blue especially to the Yellow Army who had already purchased train tickets, match tickets and in some cases hotel stays when, on Thursday, it was announced that Saturday’s match at Wealdstone, due to safety concerns, would be played behind closed doors.

TUST held a phone conversation on Friday with Mark Ives, the National League General Manager who gave credit to the two clubs, the match officials and BT for arranging for the game to be live streamed.

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National League Crowd Watch: Title hopefuls had home wins with large attendances - Wrexham 8,745, Stockport 7,418, Chesterfield 5,371. Don’t discount Southend bursting into the play-off group after a home draw with Solihull in front of 6,607.

Elsewhere, York City had 3,621, 3,141 at Woking who sacked manager Alan Dowson on Monday, Dorking Wanderers 2,898 and 2,395 at the Isle of Man.

**********

Torbay Council leader Steve Darling and his deputy Darren Cowell have been sharing their vision for their ongoing regeneration programme for The Bay.

Work is being prepared for along The Strand, restoration works for the Pavilion as well as using the Future High Street Fund, the Government’s £830m contribution to regenerate High Streets in the UK.

The two council leaders are supporting the Building a Greater Torbay Campaign, “So that we can work with the entirety of the Bay - residents, businesses and statutory agencies - to ensure that collectively we build a greater Torbay.”

So, United fans will be asking does this include a new stadium - and if so, where?

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A couple of weeks ago this column suggested a ‘fan coaching’ programme as used in Belgium, after further incidents of fan misbehaviour. Following the alleged racial abuse of the referee at the recent Wrexham game at Plainmoor, TUST asks the club to become involved with the ‘Kick It Out’ campaign as it has done with ‘HerGameToo’ and AndysManClub. A promotion of this at a forthcoming home fixture, with some perimeter advertising boards, would help drive home the message.

Wigan are advertising for a ‘supporter engagement officer’ whose job, amongst many, would include ‘deliver fun and promotional activities, plan and manage a Junior Supporter Engagement event per season, support the club’s Equality and Diversity Action Plan and recruit a team of volunteer Supporter Liaison Officers, who would act as first point of contact for first time visitors to the ground’.

Kick It Out aims to tackle all forms of discrimination and unfair practices and conduct at all levels of football.

There is an urgent review going on between the Premier League and the English Football League into how football can combat the growing number of anti-social behaviours at matches at all levels, so wouldn’t it be timely for community based Torquay United to take on board the Kick It Out campaign?

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United’s Women’s team stay top of the table following Sunday’s 3-1 victory at Royal Wootton Bassett thanks to goals from Ellie Bishop her 17th of the season, recently signed Tracey Cross from Plymouth Argyle and Beth Everson. This Sunday sees them travel to title rivals Sherborne.

TUST sends best wishes to everyone at Bury AFC, the Fans’ group Est.1885, who have purchased their stadium Gigg Lane and the trading name Bury FC.

************

Joe Lewis remains the most popular stand out player from your votes. This week is it chase the play-offs or prepare for next season now? Send your opinion to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet

Next up at Plainmoor are Bromley who have lost two and drawn one of their last three.

And how about Torquay flying the Ukrainian flag, blue and yellow, on the corner posts?

COYY

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TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

rjdgull
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TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Mar 8, 2022 19:49:34 GMT

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Mar 8, 2022 19:49:34 GMT

Jan 24, 2022 20:26:33 GMT rjdgull said:

Fan-Led Review

We are delighted to advise our members that Kevin Foster MP has arranged for a delegation from TUST to join him in a meeting with Tracey Crouch MP at the Houses of Parliament in March to discuss the implications of her FLR for non-league clubs and TUFC in particular.

A delegation from TUST met with Tracey this afternoon for a very productive session where we were updated on the political progress and had our questions answered about the report. Official press release later this week.

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

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Posts: 12,218

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Mar 11, 2022 16:05:30 GMT

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Mar 11, 2022 16:05:30 GMT

11th March 2022

FAN ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

FAREWELL FRANK O’FARRELL A TRUE TORQUAY LEGEND ON A WEEKEND WHEN FOOTBALL STANDS TOGETHER

One of the joys of sitting in the Family Stand right in front of the Directors’ Box is chatting to those behind us and in recent years it has been a privilege to chat to a real Torquay legend in Frank O’Farrell who sadly passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday.

Even in his later years he still had pertinent comments about what he’d been watching and in his Irish brogue he was full of banter and happy chat; he very kindly signed his book, ‘All Change At Old Trafford, The Frank O’Farrell story’ to me. The book tells the story of Frank, an Irish choirboy from Cork who began his working life as a railway engine cleaner and went on to find fame and fortune as the manager of Manchester United.

Fittingly, ‘his’ seat in the Directors’ Box is now sat in by Robin Stubbs.

************
It was a day of reflection at Plainmoor on Saturday as the 2,350 (including 141 from Bromley) stood as one to show solidarity for Ukraine with a minute’s applause. Fittingly Torquay United in their yellow and blue kit held the Ukrainian flag as they entered the pitch - a flag which was adopted in 1848 with its two horizontal bands representing the landscape and good harvests, sunflowers and wheat.

The giant scoreboard at the Babbacombe end carried the blue and yellow colours with the banner ‘Football Stands Together’. Could this be a moment to not only reflect on the shocking war images on our TV screens every day but also on the current distasteful fan misbehaviour? It would be good to think so.

And well done to Kevin Hill’s Exmouth Town who have announced they will play in their away kit, yellow and blue, for all their remaining fixtures this season.

With all this in mind it was as if the football was secondary and for the second home game in a row it ended goalless. The two managers after the match conceded their sides lacked quality in the final third as both teams had no cutting edge up front although Shaun MacDonald, surely Man of the Match, had plenty to do, was named in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day and for the second week running in the Vanarama Team of the Week.

With the Ukrainian flag now a symbol of defiance, of pride and relentless determination, this attitude could sum up Torquay’s performance following Joe Lewis’ rightful red card sending off leaving the Gulls having to play with a man short for over half the match; only a one game ban.

They might even have won the game if they had a clinical striker on the pitch. Week after week this missing link becomes more and more obvious as the games slip away as does the hope of breaking into a play-off place. Oh for a Tim Sills, Jamie Reid or even Rene Howe, who notched his 25th goal of the season, another penalty, in Bedford Town’s 4-0 home win keeping them top of the Southern League Division 1 Central.

*************

No rightful thinking supporter can, on reflection, blame their team’s woeful performances on the match officials but Torquay’s last four games seem to have seen the worst in debatable decision making.

The worst criticism are the inconsistencies with decision making and bookings, so much so that we are told that National League managers across the division are as one condemning the poor standard.

Take Saturday’s man in the middle, Mr Marsden, who has sent off five players in his last eight games, who missed so much through poor positioning, often having his back to the play.

What is disappointing is that officials are unaccountable after a game for their decision making no matter how much managers try as Gary Johnson well knows - he’s still waiting for a response from the play-off final! And even if there was VAR in the National League - could the ‘winning’ goal at Wealdstone last Saturday have been given? - Everton’s ‘penalty’ against Manchester City was missed denying them a point which might be the difference between staying up or relegation. To be told afterwards it was a mistake and should have been awarded is little consolation.

As Johnson says, with the National League no different from the EFL, why can’t league referees be used in the National League rather than those at this level waiting to be promoted?

The general consensus of opinion in the Family Stand is that spectators use their hard earned money to pay to watch a football match not the referee taking centre stage.

************

Non-League Crowd Watch: Crowd of the day was at Macclesfield with 4,002 watching a 3-1 home win, if they won last night’s match they could be one win away from promotion from the North West Counties Premier on their journey back to the promised land. Another team on the brink of promotion, Worthing, in the Isthmian Premier, drew a crowd of 2,347 at Lewes, their highest for 70 years.

In the National League big crowds again at Notts County 6,943, Chesterfield 6,625, Grimsby 5,423 and in National South second placed Maidstone won 3-2 in front of 2,222.

************

With games running out at the business end of the season who could be joining the Gulls next season? Several teams have flirted with relegation over the course of this campaign, amongst them Colchester, Carlisle and even Bristol Rovers but currently it’s looking like Scunthorpe are heading for the drop propping up the table with a miserly twenty four points. Above them are Oldham but it could be a contest between them Barrow, Stevenage, Leyton Orient and Colchester all four of whom have tasted non-league football in their recent histories.

************

Meanwhile, United’s women’s team is supplying the Devon FA Women’s Under-18 squad to play Cornwall with Ellie Bishop, Alice Gue, Emma Hunt, Scarlett McMahon and Esme Kilburn-Thompson.

In an important top-of-the-table clash on Sunday United Women went down 1-0 at challengers Sherborne Ladies dropping to second behind Ilminster Ladies who have three games in hand.

************

55% of supporters feel Torquay should be looking ahead to a promotion push for next season but the others are clinging on to a play-off hope. So, this Saturday’s trip to King’s Lynn is crucial where only three points will be good enough.

How should the club remember and celebrate Frank O’Farrell? Naming a stand in his name? Send your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet

COYY

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

Last Edit: Mar 11, 2022 16:08:35 GMT by rjdgull

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.

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TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST Mar 18, 2022 15:22:54 GMT stefano likes this

Quote

Post by rjdgull on Mar 18, 2022 15:22:54 GMT

16th March 2022

FAN ZONE

TUST board member and Supporter Liaison Officer Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

TUST REPRESENTS SOUTH WEST SUPPORTERS’ TRUSTS ON HISTORIC DAY AT WESTMINSTER

There’s no hiding from the fact that football cannot pretend the war in Ukraine is nothing to do with us especially now that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been made to sell the club, bringing the atrocities closer to home. This comes at a time when Tracey Crouch’s Fan-Led Review, a key part is beefing up the owners’ and directors’ test, is seeking to receive legislation through Parliament later this year as TUST found out on Tuesday when five board members travelled to Westminster on the historic day when the House of Commons was packed to hear the Ukrainian President address MPs.

The delegation, led by chairman Michel Thomas, met former Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch author of the review into football governance, thanks to arrangements made by Torbay MP Kevin Foster, who also attended.

Crouch revealed the Government is working hard to put together legislation in time for the Queen’s Speech in May and is expected to issue a response to the report within the next few weeks.

The TUST members, wearing their United scarves, attracted much attention in the capital as the yellow and blue matched with the Ukrainian colours. We were there representing hundreds of other supporters’ trusts especially the South West group - Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City, Hereford FC, Yeovil Town - of which TUST are co-founders.

The crucial part of the review recommendations, the glue which will keep it on track, is the creation of an independent regulator. Crouch said it would be made up of people not from football adding,”I believe one should be established to address issues that are most relevant to the risks to the game.”

She also spoke about the importance of a shadow board, made up of a mix of fans, but would not be able to be involved in football matters. This would help those trusts experiencing dysfunctional relationships with their clubs. Crouch mentioned the Golden Share Content which will allow fans a say in a club’s colours, name change or stadium relocation, and its membership would contain trust members, season ticket holders and any fan who’s been to a game in the past year.

We were encouraged by the MPs positivity in the hour long session but urge as many as possible to download (www.tust.co.uk) our template letter to send to your MP.

Nick's article about the delegation from last Sunday's Non-League Paper is reproduced below and a full report on the meeting with Tracey Crouch MP will be sent at the weekend.

**************

There was 100% response and agreement that the club should honour the life of Frank O’Farrell with the majority opting for a stand to be named in his honour. It would be fitting if the club announced their decision in time for the visit of Weymouth from where O’Farrell joined the Gulls.

In his biography O’Farrell told how he was preparing for another season at Weymouth when he had a call from then chairman Tony Boyce to meet him and his wife in an Exeter hotel for a meal. “Mr Boyce offered me an attractive package and he seemed like a decent bloke.”

It was during O’Farrell’s tenure that Saturday evening football was introduced, Boyce’s idea, but although the matches were well supported they did have an effect on the football pools.

During his four seasons at Plainmoor, 1965-1968, he brought in so many quality players namely John Bond, Ken Brown, Bill Kitchener, Tony Scott, John Smith, Doug Clarke, John Benson, Ronnie Barnes, Jim Fryatt, Jimmy Dunne- what a list! No wonder United were promoted to Division Three in 1965-66.

Of Robin Stubbs he had this to say, ”He was strong, quick and good in the air and I think he still could have been playing at a higher level. He was a single lad, something of a personality in the town, and very popular with the ladies!” And that sums up O’Farrell mischievous impish Irish personality.

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Three much needed points at King’s Lynn on Saturday, no Gary Johnson with Aaron Downes in charge, eight points adrift of the play-offs and with twelve matches left. It’s going to take no more losses, more wins plus others slipping up to gatecrash a place.

A Danny Wright brace, seeing him named in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day and the Vanarama Team of the Week plus one from the ever improving and popular, The Duke, helped United over a battling home side not pleased with the referee’s performance - not another one!

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For those wondering where he is - and hankering for his return - Sinclair Armstrong played 90 minutes for QPR ‘B’ in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Aldershot on Saturday. The Shots won 4-0.

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Non-League Crowd Watch: Pride of place goes to Macclesfield whose 4-0 win over Ashton Athletic clinched the North West Counties Premier title in front of 4,604 as they maKe their way back up the pyramid.

In midweek the clash between Southend and Grimsby was watched by 7,205 but 8,705 saw Wrexham win 4-2 over visitors Boreham Wood.

In the FA Vase Littlehampton progressed into the semi-finals in front of 2,245 joining Tim Sills’ Hamworthy United who won 7-6 on penalties.

Talking of spot kicks a new record was set last week in a match between Washington FC and Bedlington Terriers in Sunderland after the teams finished 3-3. Washington ended up winning 25-24 taking 45 minutes - the 54 penalties outnumbering the attendance of 40.

And spare a thought for Dover’s fans - only 15 made it to Halifax to watch another defeat.

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It was a weekend double for United’s Under-18s and thanks to goals from Lewis Brooks, Callum Thomas and Theo Cadby the team are just one point away from claiming the South West Counties Youth title with two games remaining after a 3-2 win over challengers Bridgwater Town.

As manager Chris Todd said, ”We’re in a very strong position, it’s pleasing that the boys are progressing.

Then on Sunday a 7-1 victory over Plymouth Parkway, helped by a Jayden Gilbert treble, took Todd’s side into the Devon FA Youth Cup Final next month.

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For next season what playing position is your priority signing? Send your choice to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @fanszonet

Another away trip to Halifax coming up- safe travel to the Yellow Army.

COYY

Here is the full version of Nick Brodrick's article in last Sunday's Non-League Paper

Despite the ongoing priority of the war in Ukraine the Government is working hard to put together legislation for the recommendations in the Fan-Led Review in time for the Queen’s Speech to Parliament in May according to Tracey Crouch MP.

Crouch, a former Minister for Sport, told five board members from the Torquay United Supporters’ Trust (TUST) in a meeting at the House of Commons on Tuesday, “The Government accepts all the ideas in my report.”

She is also expecting the Government to issue a response to the report within the next few weeks along with important news from the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).

TUST board members, invited to meet Tracey Crouch through Torbay MP Kevin Foster, travelled to London from Devon wearing their Torquay scarves, yellow and blue, on a day when the Ukrainian President addressed a packed Parliament straight after our Fan-Led Review meeting.

Our scarves attracted much attention as they are, of course, identical to the Ukrainian flag.

Crouch was interested to learn about how her review would impact on TUST and Torquay United; the group explained that whilst this was the main remit for meeting her, TUST was there representing hundreds of other supporters’ trusts, and to this end the hour long session covered the main points, eight in total, in her recommendations.

Crouch was impressed that TUST were one of the co-founders of the South West Supporters’ Trust, consisting of trusts from Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City, Yeovil Town and Hereford FC, the only such group in the UK. And TUST with Exeter are the co-sponsors of next month’s Devon FA Women’s Cup Final between the two sides.

TUST fully supports the introduction of an independent regulator and the creation of a Shadow Board, as Governance of football in the future is the key element of the review as Crouch acknowledges, “An independent regulator, made up of people not from the football world, is vital. I believe one should be established to address issues that are most relevant to the risks to the game.”

She revealed that the Premier League, thought to be against the idea, actually acknowledges its role but housed within the FA which may be contentious.

TUST member Bob Cole suggested an addition to recommendation 26 regarding the make-up of a Shadow Board that it, along with supporter trusts, should be registered and regulated in order to avoid club boards from hand-picking the members of a shadow board.

Crouch agreed and hoped TUST would contact the FSA, for them to look at this.

She felt a shadow board would be a better vehicle for fan engagement rather than a ‘fan director’ system which currently exists at certain clubs and would help those trusts which are experiencing dysfunctional relationships with their club owner and directors.

It would be made up of a mix of fans, like the German supervisory board, but would not be involved in football matters such as the hiring and firing of managers as in the German model. It would, though, as Crouch explained,”Need to be diverse consisting of male, female, LGBT etc.”

She was not impressed with German 50+1 idea of ownership.

She did spell out who the participants in the Golden Share Consent would be, that is fans having a say in clubs’ colours, name, stadium relocation for example, namely members of supporters’ trusts, season ticket holders and any fan who’s been to a game in the last year.

Once the review receives legislation its recommendations can be put into effect and such beneficiaries will be better corporate diversity and a fairer distribution of wealth from the Premier League downwards.

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST board member, views are my own unless stated otherwise.