Fan Zone 01/01/2026
- TUST
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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WHAT A SHOWER AS UNITED DROP VITAL POINTS AT BATH AFTER WESTON WIN
AT 70 GARY JOHNSON IS BACK AS HE PLOTS A RARE TAUNTON HOME SUCCESS
READY SPREADY GO! NAME THAT GRITTER COMPETITION
First, very Happy New Year wishes to all our TUST members and others who read this. Let’s hope 2026 fulfils all our dreams and hopes.
Over 5,000 made it to Plainmoor on Boxing Day to see the battle of the Gulls versus the Seagulls or if you prefer, the battle of the seaside resorts. Whichever it is, United came out on top thanks to two great Louis Dennis pieces of magic.
So, how to explain that the same starting eleven could put in such a poor performance four days later in front of 1,000 travelling fans? The Yellow Army helped to swell the Twerton Park attendance to Bath’s highest of the season – 2,289.
United’s need to catch leaders Worthing went down the plug hole at a chilly Bath, as the Gulls put in a lukewarm show devoid of quality.
We all left Bath scratching our heads wondering why better players this season have not translated into a better team. Yes, it is only half way through the season and there are still plenty of points to play for but Worthing’s current form is setting the standards.
United only lost seven games last season and came oh so close to that automatic top spot but already this side has lost the same number.
Worthing are on a great run of form, apart from their 3-2 Plainmoor defeat the last time they lost a league fixture was 1-0 at Maidenhead in early October.
On Saturday United are at Dover, travelling on Friday for an overnighter, and these are the matches that need to be won to keep pace at the top.
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For those making the long journey to Kent, we have received a message from The Phoenix Railway Club, based in Dover, to extend a warm invitation to our members to join them for pre-match drinks ahead of the game.
The club is located just a 2-minute walk from the Dover Athletic ground, making it an ideal and convenient meeting point before kick-off. They have a large on-site car park, are family-friendly, and are proud to offer cheaper drinks than most venues in the local area.
They would be delighted to welcome Torquay United supporters to The Phoenix Railway Club and help make your visit to Dover an enjoyable one (although 3 points might also help!).
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Although the transfer window doesn’t apply to us, it does if a higher placed club is searching for non-league talent and there are already rumours on social media that one or two of our better players have been scouted. Two local EFL clubs, Plymouth and Swindon, are thought to be looking.
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This time of the year attendances tend to rise as fans make a great effort over the festive season and here are the best.
Non-League Crowd Watch Boxing Day: York City v Boston 7,935, Bury FC v Clitheroe 5,337, Torquay v Weston 5,142, Hednesford v FC United of Manchester 4,784, Hereford v Kidderminster 4,670, Gateshead v Carlisle 4,492, Hartlepool v Scunthorpe 4,434, Morecambe v Rochdale 4,266, Macclesfield v Buxton 4,265.
December 30: Southend v Sutton 8,798, Carlisle v Morecambe 8,356, Scunthorpe v Gateshead 5,012, Merthyr v Hereford 3,997, Worthing v Dorking 3,735, Kidderminster v Telford 3,381.
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Last Saturday I went to watch Taunton Town’s new manager’s first home game in charge as Gary Johnson’s Peacocks, without a home win since August, took on second placed Gloucester City in their Southern League Premier clash.
Taunton, with Ben Seymour captain of the side and newly transferred from Torquay, Matt Carson and Niall Thompson in the starting eleven with Kalvin Kalala on the bench, took an early lead.
Gloucester then had a player sent off mid- way in the first half but after the break took control deservedly equalising before late drama. Taunton gained an 88th minute penalty with Seymour’s spot kick pushed onto the post before spiralling upwards for Seymour to nod home. Cue delirious scenes from the home dug-out and a second Gloucester player dismissed and there was still time for the visitors to have a third sent off before the final whistle.
For our Devon/Somerset members who aren’t making the long trip to Kent on Saturday how about going to Ladysmead Ian Moorcroft Stadium for the battle of the dug-outs?
For it’s Asa Hall’s Tiverton taking on his former boss Gary Johnson’s Taunton Town. Tiverton have been stuck at the foot of the table but last time out recorded a rare win, 2-1 at Chris McPhee’s Plymouth Parkway.
In an interview with the Non-League Paper Johnson had this to say about his appointment, “As a town Taunton has got pretty much the biggest population in Somerset. We’ve got to get more numbers in if we’re going to be successful (Saturday 1,192 turned up, biggest of the season). This means smartening up the stadium which is a bit tired. It’s about having a fans’ forum so they can come and talk to me. This is a club that has never truly reached its potential but I think it’s ready to move onwards and upwards.”
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United’s Women resume their league fixtures on Sunday with a trip to AEK Boco with their 2026 sights set on promotion.
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Thank you to all those who have sent in their answers to the Christmas Quiz, there is still time to enter for a chance to win a £30 Club Shop VX3 voucher. Closing date is mid-day Friday January 2nd.. Quiz answers next week.
Also, how about buying into the 1899 Lotto? For £10 a month you have a great chance of winning a prize with the first draw on January 14th. Go to https://draw.ourclublotto.co.uk/tufc/ for all the details.
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With this cold spell this is the time of the year for the gritters to be out and in the spirit of putting a smile on drivers’ faces, many councils name their grit lorries.
How about these?
Auntie Freeze? True Grit? Ice Ice Maybe? David Plowie? Grit Expectations? And my favourite, David Attenbrrrr?
Can you do better? Send yours to fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
COYY
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