FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair and TUFC board member, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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MANAGER LEGEND LEROY ROSENIOR RETURNED TO PLAINMOOR
SATURDAY’S AFTERNOON OF MIXED EMOTIONS AS 98th MINUTE GOAL BREAKS HEARTS
OZZY OZZY OZZY AN INSTANT FAN FAVOURITE CHIPS IN WITH FIRST GOAL
For many United fans he was a managerial legend and he was last in the dug-out almost 20 years ago but last Friday he was back at Plainmoor providing a fascinating evening in Boots & Laces talking about his playing and managerial career. He is, of course, Leroy Rosenior who will always be remembered for taking Torquay into what is now League 1. Just compare those times with where the team currently sits in National South.
With ex-Gull Russell Musker guiding Rosenior through the evening there were stories about signing for Fulham, moving for £250,000 to QPR, then £275,000 to West Ham. As a striker he was in demand, he returned to Fulham twice, once on loan and had spells at Charlton, Bristol City and as his playing career started to come to an end turned out for Gloucester City and Fleet Town.
1996 - 1998 he was player manager at Gloucester City then was boss at Merthyr Tydfil before taking on the Plainmoor hot seat in 2002 staying for four years.
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The evening was peppered with Rosenior’s anecdotes mainly about other pros he played with or against. He did tell us that in his playing time he nearly signed for Watford whose chairman at the time was Elton John who phoned him up to welcome Leroy to Vicarage Road.
But as Leroy was about to sign a contract he was told he would have to move house from where he lived in London as Watford had a rule, all players had to live within twelve miles of the club; the deal fell through.
With his parents from Sierra Leone Rosenior qualified to play for them and after he had had England Under-16 and Under-21 caps a full England appearance was to prove elusive so he ended up managing the national side for one game.
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During the second half of the evening Leroy was joined by two of his ex-players, the Kevins Wills and Hill and all three gave their recollections of their times with Tony Bedeau who will be forever remembered for his smiling personality.
At the end there was a Q&A session with the club’s co-chairmen each asking questions while your columnist jokingly enquired about Leroy’s second brief spell as manager. Mike Bateson ended up paying him handsomely for his time!
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Being a football fan is not always for the faint hearted and part of its make-up is that everyone has their opinion about what they have just watched. Last Saturday was a big match with one of the title favourites, Boreham Wood, in town and by the end emotions were running high.
In fact Saturday saw the whole range of human emotions on display: at half-time the three visiting officials left the directors’ box looking thoroughly dejected. Contrast that with the body language of home supporters.
Paul Wotton’s two key signings - Jordan Young and Matt Jay. The sun was shining and there was another big crowd.
The second half turned into one way traffic as the Wood pushed United further and further back but it took a 90+8th minute equaliser to break many home hearts. By the way where did those extra minutes come from? Many around me had queried the additional four minutes at the end of the first half.
As that second killer goal went in you could see Wood manager Luke Gerrard and his staff rushing around as if they had lifted the World Cup - they could not contain their relief and joy. Contrast those scenes further up the touch line as Paul Wotton crumpled to the ground in dis-belief and frustration. It was definitely an afternoon of very mixed emotions.
Needless-to-say, the forums and social media on Saturday night were alive with keyboard warriors, many venting their fury.
This club, though, has come a very long way in a short period and nobody can deny that it is moving forward in an upward trajectory. There might be only ten games to go but nothing has been decided yet.
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Saturday saw the home debut of new signing, Ozzy Zanzala, a striker who fans had been calling for. He did well at Weston as a second half sub and was again influential against Boreham Wood.
And Ozzy played another important role at Chippenham scoring his first United goal, while Matt Jay notched his fourth in four with the third on Tuesday night as the Gulls won away since November.
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Saturday’s Non-League Crowd Watch: Oldham 6,098, Hartlepool 4,912, Torquay 3,753, Yeovil 3,508, Dulwich Hamlet 3,334, Bury FC 3,315, Macclesfield 3,271.
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United’s Women’s side were back in league action on Sunday coming from a goal behind to claim the three points in a 2-1 away win against FC Frampton. Goals from Tee Kaptein and Lexie Watts meant that the title challenge is still on.
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We all wish Asa Hall good luck as he becomes manager at Tiverton Town to get them out of relegation trouble. And he started with a 0-0 home draw against Havant & Waterlooville.
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All 72 National League teams have come together to press for the EFL to introduce three-up, three-down and to this end have the 3UP Campaign. Fans can get involved too by voting. Go to:
Following Tuesday’s relatively short trip on Saturday it’s off to Kent for Tonbridge Angels.
COYY!
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