FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
TORQUAY UNITED NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
NEW SQUAD ARRIVALS ANNOUNCED WITH FUN VIDEOS FEATURING TORBAY
WHICH NATIONAL SOUTH SIDES TRAVEL THE FURTHEST?
‘Are You With Me?’ - yes Neil we’re with you and all the Bryn Consortium, as last Friday they became the new custodians of Torquay United. What a momentous occasion and I felt privileged to be inside the ground sorting out TUST’s involvement in Paint Up Plainmoor.
Work was taking place on the pitch with machines sand banding, which has not been done for a few years, and all the staff I met were excited about the future. None more so than Julian Gouldthorpe, the groundsman who was keeping a close eye on his beloved pitch.
These really are moments to remember.
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Also around were a number of players with manager Paul Wotton and each new arrival was spending time on making their own personal video, the first of which featured Austen Booth, the only contracted player left from last season, and Jay Foulston who joins his ex-team mate from Taunton although Foulston made 21 appearances on loan at Yeovil.
Having seen two great videos featuring Neil Warnock, it’s now the turn of the players and what a fun way to introduce new arrivals to the Yellow Army. And there were more as the week progressed thanks to Will Hancox @ProductionsatCL.
On Monday evening we watched Finley Craske slide into the new squad with a big splash. What fun and such a good way to get fans talking. Since then we’ve seen players unveiled at attractions such as Kent’s Cavern and Paignton Fun Fair.
One element of the manager and players’ announcements that has been welcomed is the length of the contracts; three years for Wotton, two years for Foulston. This, of course, is in total contrast to the previous ownership where everything was a mysterious, closely guarded secret.
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Tickets for Warnock’s show at the Princess Theatre on June 28 (7.30pm) went on sale on Tuesday and they are bound to sell out. Joining him on stage will be two United fans, Helen Chamberlain and from TalkSport Charlie Baker. It promises to be a great evening with all proceeds going to the club.
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On Wednesday FanHub, the app that recognises and rewards match going fans filmed a mini-documentary with a number of fans highlighting the excitement around the takeover. FanHub have recently run similar documentaries at Portsmouth and Derby.
Paint Up Plainmoor’s current task is to wash and prepare all 32 sets of steps in all the stands before they are painted, not the most glamorous of jobs but if you fancy getting on your hands and knees with a bucket and scraper please contact me - fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
A group were at the ground on Friday afternoon and another working part are helping on Saturday afternoon.
One of our co-opted TUST board members, Jon Gibbes, became the club’s secretary as of this week. Our loss is the club’s big gain for there is nobody who knows the history of Torquay United like Jon. The Bryn Consortium have chosen well.
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Last week’s column mentioned that 170 supporters’ groups had signed the FSA letter to the leaders of all the political parties involved in the forthcoming General Election to ensure that the Football Governance Bill is passed by the incoming Government. This number has gone up to 224 to see that the key principles which would block breakaway leagues, improve financial sustainability, protect club heritage and give fans a greater say in how the game and the clubs they love are run are enshrined in law.
When clubs go into administration the effect on the fan base can be devastating and Gulls’ fans know this only too well - thankfully United came out of administration on Friday with the transfer embargo lifted not long after - but spare a thought for fans of Morecambe who believe they could be next.
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For the coming season the Non-League Paper has worked out travelling statistics for all the major divisions and National South makes for interesting reading. Not surprisingly, Truro City, back playing in Cornwall, have the longest trips. The top five total distances (round trip) are 1. Truro 11,232, 2. Torquay 8,189, 3. Weston-Super-Mare 6,352, 4. Weymouth 5,927, 5. Bath City 5,263.
That’s a lot of time on the road and expensive too especially if overnight stays are included.
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Football fans who can’t wait, first for the fixtures to be released and then the season to start, have the Euros to look forward to as they are just weeks away. England have their opening match in Germany against Serbia on June 16.
Manager Gareth Southgate has just reduced his initial squad of 33 down to 26 with several established names missing out.
And who will be the next signings as there are a number still to come? Torquay United is in the news for all the right reasons - and long may that last.
With the weather picking up and Summer officially here, the future is bright, the future is yellow.
COYY
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