FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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WOW A PROPER Q&A LIVE FANS’ FORUM WITH THE BRYN CO-CHAIRS
TUST’S COMMUNITY SHARE ISSUE EXPLAINED
THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN FOR SATURDAY’S NLS OPENER
TUST’S PAINT UP PLAINMOOR CONTINUES AS CLUB THANKS VOLUNTEERS
Wow, Monday saw the return of a proper, live, in the flesh Fans’ Forum with Co-Chairmen Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh answering a whole host of questions honestly and transparently.
Around 90 in The Cove (formerly No 10 restaurant) plus peak numbers of 750 watching on the club’s YouTube channel and Facebook heard Bryn’s business and future plans from CEO Joe Lovell.
Can you believe it’s only been nine weeks since the Bryn Consortium took over? What they have achieved in that time is remarkable. The evening lasted three hours and in that time TUST board member Matt Gorman gave a comprehensive review of the forthcoming Community Share Issue.
In essence TUST already has one seat on the football board and will have a second if the Share Issue can raise a minimum of £100,000. By doing this it would guarantee TUST a ‘Golden Share’ protecting the club’s heritage forever giving fans a voice in how the club is run.
Supporters heard that this season’s playing budget is around £400,000 less than the £900,000+ that Gary Johnson was given, nearly 1500 season tickets have been sold and importantly there are plans for increasing and improving hospitality as well as giving sponsors greater value for their money.
And there are exciting plans to ensure there is a proper youth pathway to the first team and beyond with the youth set up now part of the Community Sports Trust along side South Devon College.
The new away bar, used for the Plymouth and Exeter game was a great success and will be repeated when there’s demand.
The reaction overnight has been nothing but positive praise and fans’ forums will be repeated at different times during the year.
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The countdown to the new National South season has begun with only a few days before the big kick-off.
Pre-season fixtures - five in total, two wins, two draws and a loss - have been played with players getting ‘minutes in legs’ and hopefully no serious injuries.
The training regime is not to every player’s taste but it’s an important element to ensure squads are as prepared as possible to face 46 plus matches. The league season is a marathon and not a sprint but every manager, player and fan hopes for a winning start.
Whilst Neil Warnock quite rightly warns us not to expect too much too soon that United’s first game is a home match is a good omen.
With around 10,000 fans inside Plainmoor for the friendlies against Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, the attendance on Saturday should be a healthy number - 4,000?
With ‘Pay on the Gate’ facilities and no surcharge it’s now much easier to get a ticket on the day of a game. Certainly the word is spreading that we have our football club back and one which acknowledges the role fans play.
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Saturday’s visitors making the long trip to the English Riviera are Enfield Town. Known as ‘The Towners’ Enfield were promoted through the play-offs last season from the Isthmian League and are now playing at the highest level in their history.
Enfield, managed by Gavin MacPherson, sold their top scorer recently to Gillingham and by all accounts have had an indifferent pre-season bedding in virtually a whole new squad - sound familiar?
They were the first fully supporter owned club in the country and their fans will relish their team playing in a stadium still under Football League regulations.
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Recent activity in the Paint Up Plainmoor project has been the cleaning of all the tired, grubby seats in the Family Stand. Local company Pristine Clean (SW) Ltd came in and spent hours washing the seats with a chlorine solution returning them as close as possible to the original yellow.
In addition working parties have begun on re-painting the 32 sets of sets which are in all four spectator areas - a back breaking job so grateful thanks to those who have carried out this task.
Last Tuesday, before the Exeter match the club invited these volunteers plus a guest to a buffet meal in the Cove; this kind gesture was much appreciated.
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Whilst Paul Wotton’s squad have been involved in pre-season friendlies so have the Women’s side.
With a number of new signings the Women travelled to Weymouth on Sunday recording a satisfying 7-0 victory with goals from Lucy Solloway (3), Gracie Proctor (2), Sam Burnham and Lexie Watts.
Well done to all those who organised and played in a special tribute match at Coach Road on Sunday to celebrate the life of young fan Ben Oliver who died a couple of years ago.
Any questions about the Community Share Issue? Email: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
See you on Saturday at Plainmoor - get there early as it will be busy.
COYY
SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
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