FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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THE GOOD TIMES RETURN AS 6,000 CRAM INTO PLAINMOOR
A FLURRY OF NEW SIGNINGS AS ROONEY CAME TO TOWN
NEW TV DEAL FOR ALL THREE NATIONAL LEAGUES
Saturday finally arrived and an occasion to match the return of football to Plainmoor. Not that long ago there was despair and real worries about whether there would be a football team in Torbay. So, to see the biggest crowd - over 6,000 - for 15 years made it a very emotional afternoon with many wearing the new home kit.
It was an afternoon with several unfortunate medical incidents which disrupted play and it must have been difficult for the players on what was a warm, humid day.
Four of the Bryn consortium went into the centre circle before the match to be introduced and the co-chairmen Mark Bowes-Cavanagh and Michael Westcott spoke movingly about the journey ahead and their obvious love for the club.
When one looks back on what has been achieved in such a short time it was enough to bring tears to the eyes! Did everything go according to plan? Well, probably not but running a football club for the first time is no easy task, rather like a juggler trying to keep as many balls in the air as possible.
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There were issues with fans not being allowed to bring water into the ground - and could this have not helped those who fainted? - as it seemed that security continued in the manner as instructed in previous seasons.
The club has already addressed this, posting on Monday that water is allowed to be brought in. But to be fair once it was established that there was a need for water the club rushed bottles into the Popside.
The response from supporters was fantastic and to sell out for a pre-season friendly is hopefully a sign of things to come. There were some complaints in certain quarters bemoaning no live streaming but a decision was taken not to, although at one stage it looked as if Plymouth were going to do this. We do know that BBC Radio Devon will be broadcasting commentary this season for all United’s fixtures.
I am aware there was a review carried out on Monday to assess Saturday’s events and knowing those in charge I am certain they will put right anything that was perceived to have gone wrong.
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For those who enjoy buying a match programme it was great to see a page devoted to the Travel Club, now back in favour and a page for the Women’s side who are now officially part of the club.
The women, under the leadership of Steve Elswood, have made a number of recent signings as they look to bounce back to the National League at the first time of asking.
They had a useful runout on Sunday in a pre-season friendly overcoming Honiton Town Ladies 5-1 with Danni Wyatt grabbing a first half hat-trick.
TUST also has a page in the programme and I hope many will enjoy not just this column in the Herald Express but reading the latest news on match days too.
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There was a flurry of signings last week as manager Paul Wotton added four new faces to his squad: Cody Cooke, another from Bath City, Finlay Tonks, on loan from Bournemouth, Omar Mussa from Dagenham & Redbridge and, according to the Non-League Paper, fighting off Southend for his signature and returning to the club goalkeeper Matt Wonnacott.
On Saturday United gave as good as they got against a Plymouth side four divisions higher and at the break it was goal less. However, a clumsy penalty gave the visitors the initiative with a second following.
Neil Warnock warned us not to expect too much too soon but already it’s clear we have a stronger defence and a group of players who will run themselves into the ground. They had another go to gel on Tuesday night with Exeter City the visitors gaining a creditable 2-2 draw with two goals in the last 10 minutes after being given the run around in the first half.
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Many of Saturday’s and Tuesday’s crowd may have visited the Gulls Nest for a drink and further along the corridor you would have noticed freshly painted rooms and new blue carpets while the hospitality suites have all been re-named along with No 10 restaurant which is now The Cove.
Of course one of the big attractions on Saturday was Wayne Rooney as fans scrambled to grab selfies and autographs, but only a lucky few were successful as security was tight around him especially after the game as he was hurried into a chauffeur driven car. That’s what fame does to you!
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For those exile fans who can’t get to Plainmoor there were last season opportunities to view National League TV showing United’s matches and TNT (formerly BT Sport) covered some. The National League’s contract with TNT has finished and a new seven year deal has been agreed with DAZN.
Every Saturday there will be a live game selected and fans will be able to watch any permitted game globally across all three divisions played outside of the existing UEFA Article 48 blackout.
Games will be accessed on the DAZN app as well as Sky Q and Virgin media boxes, Smart TVs, mobile, tablet and games consoles. A highlights package will also be available.
So, how excited are you for the visit of Enfield Town on August 10th? fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
The final pre-season friendly is a trip to Tiverton on Saturday.
COYY
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