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Writer's pictureTUST

Fan Zone 05/10/2024


FAN ZONE


TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.


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TUST’S  GREATEST  HITS  AS  SHARE  ISSUE  PASSES  QUARTER  OF  A  MILLION


FA  YOUTH  CUP  SUCCESS  OVER  TRURO  CITY


COULD  THREE  UP  THREE  DOWN  REALLY  HAPPEN?


It’s a big ‘yes’ from TUST and an even bigger thank-you to all 534 investors in our Community Shares as the donations went past £220,000 when the issue finished at midnight on Friday.


And from a membership of around 400 to the current 1154 just shows the trust fans have put in our decision to work with Michael Westcott and all the Bryn Consortium.


A national commercial radio station is promoting this week the chance to win a quarter of a million pounds by answering your phone chosen at random. But Torquay United football club is going to receive a quarter of a million from TUST thanks to the generosity of the Yellow Army without having to answer a phone call - well, actually £272,000 when adding in the £50,000 Forever Yellow fund already transferred.


Importantly, this huge sum guarantees a second seat on the TUAFC board along with vital heritage rights and a 28.6% stake in the club.  With these additional funds maybe the manager will have the option to strengthen his squad.


Then there are numerous infrastructure tasks to undertake, upgrading the floodlights and replacing the electronic scoreboard being but two from a list.


Let the final words on this phenomenal fund raising come from Michael Westcott, “Wow, wow, wow! This club! We are humbled by the support fans have given this initiative by our dedicated partners TUST.  This helps pave the way for a bright, new and democratic era for our unique football club. All of us at the Bryn Consortium salute you all!”

 

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Meanwhile, further changes are currently being undertaken by the volunteers in the Paint Up Plainmoor scheme in the Devonshire members’ bar and The Cove restaurant. While outside the away end turnstiles have had fresh paint to smarten them up.


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So, how to spend a Saturday when your team isn’t playing? Living near by I went to watch Taunton Town take on Amersham Town in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round. And for an hour the visitors, from two leagues below, looked to be about to cause an upset as they led by a goal to nil but Taunton finally got their game going, scoring twice in four minutes to earn another home tie on October 12 with National League Maidenhead United.


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Talking of the FA Cup, United’s conquerers Bishops Cleeve had their replay at Chesham postponed on Tuesday but they’ll have a third home tie against higher opposition, this time Yeovil Town should they be successful next Tuesday.  United fans who watched the Gulls go down 3-0 at a ‘village side’ will be surprised that the stand-out Mitres’ player, Jay Malshanskyj joined Taunton last week.


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FA Cup Crowd Watch: Radcliffe v Bury 2,800, Macclesfield v Witton Albion 2,188, Herne Bay v Maidstone 1,997, Worthing v Dartford 1,263.


National League Crowd Watch: Southend 6,837, York 5,671, Yeovil 3,408.


*****


United’s Women moved up to second in the table behind Forest Green following a 4-2 win over Poole Town Ladies on a wet Sunday afternoon at Coach Road. Goals from Lucy Solloway, two penalties by Tee Kaptein and Lexie Watts sealed the victory.


Following relegation last season this is a stronger squad with competition for places under a new management team.


United’s Under-18s also had a win over the weekend, a 3-0 success over Champions Sports with Andrew Ellis (2) on the score sheet again and Coby White.


On Monday night United’s FA Youth Cup side had a 4-1 win over Truro City to take them into Round 3.


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In Sunday’s Non-League Paper there was an interview with National League general manager Mark Ives on a number of topics including the not overly popular new National League Cup which a number of clubs have opted out from, the impending introduction of an independent regulator and of special interest the likelihood of three-up, three-down.


Ives says that it’s now time for this to move forward. “We are strongly of the view that the current way it works is not fair when you evaluate the whole promotion and relegation schemes across the leagues.”


Conversations between the league board and the EFL are set to continue. 


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Can I draw your attention to CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) a charity devoted to preventing suicide. The club promoted United fan Sean Pye’s request for funding (see www.torquayunited.com) and a second person, Zak Mealing, has also ben in touch. They are taking part in a marathon in Sweden on October 26 and if you can donate they would be really grateful, www.justgiving.com/page/zak-mealing-1718442507016?utm.


With Maidstone United still in the FA Cup, they have a home tie with Ebbsfleet on the day they were due at Plainmoor.


This Saturday a trip to Hampton awaits.


COYY






 


SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY


 





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