FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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PICKFORD HELPS MOVE ENGLAND FORWARD BUT TORQUAY’S OLLIE IS THE HERO
ONE OF THE CLUB’S AIMS IS TO DISCOVER THE NEXT OLLIE WATKINS
WHO’S YOUR TOP TV FOOTBALL COMMENTATOR OF ALL TIME?
‘Pickford helped move England into the Euro semi-finals’ was one of the funnier quotes on Saturday as his penalty shoot-out save sent England closer to the final, with just the Netherlands now in the way.
Even Alan Shearer, who suddenly has become an accomplished summariser, got in on the jokes ‘Pressure? What pressure? Pressure is for tyres’.
It might have been yet another underwhelming England performance but there is no denying that the five penalties were class - and how cool was Ivan Toney’s? Not even looking at the ball as he stroked home his spot kick.
In last Thursday’s General Election the five main parties totalled 25.6 million votes between them but the BBC’s Saturday viewing figures (TV & online) came to 26 million. Wonder what message that gives?
Then on Wednesday step forward Torquay born Ollie Watkins to score that glorious winner in the 90th minute to take England to the Euro final in Berlin on Sunday to face Spain.
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Wednesday was also an important day as it’s when the National South fixtures were released and a home game on August 10 against newly promoted Enfield Town is the perfect start. With the current wave of enthusiasm who would bet against a bumper crowd? Yeovil re-set the National South record last season of 6,462. With home pre-season friendlies against Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth and Exeter City there are likely to be large attendances. It is certainly a great time to be a Torquay United supporter with season ticket sales now past 1,300. United fans get a chance to see the new squad in action at Buckland’s VX3 stadium on Friday evening.
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There was a big turn-out last Friday for an evening with Neil Warnock and Paul Wotton in the newly re-decorated and re-carpeted No 10 restaurant. All the volunteers had transformed not just that room but the hospitality boxes too along with corridors and other public areas.
Work began this week on painting the outside of the inside of Plainmoor with many places being freshened up to bring the stadium back to life.
TUST thanks not only those giving freely of their time but a huge thank you to Valspar (part of B&Q) for donating the paint and Wickes Torquay for a generous amount of painting products such as brushes and rollers.
The timetable for all this work to be done is tight as it also includes painting all 32 sets of steps in all four stands.
It’s not surprising that with all this activity to re-fresh what had become a tired stadium the club are advertising for a Head of Operations. A job description can be viewed on www.torquayunited.com
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Having endured years of not knowing anything, the club has gone into overdrive to keep its fan base up-to-date with events. Recently we heard that South Devon College have become the official ‘Youth and Education’ partner with Torquay United with the aim of creating fresh opportunities for both football development and education in the region.
Interestingly, this was one of the attractions that drew manager Wotton to sign up, saying, “The commitment to youth development and the partnership with the college is testament to the long-term ambition and aspirations of the club.”
You only have to look up the road at Exeter to realise the value of an academy producing players not just for the first team but with the potential for huge transfer fees with, of course, lucrative sell-on clauses. The example of Ollie Watkins being foremost.
Another case was in the press last week when Max Kilman, a product of Maidenhead’s academy, moved from Wolves to West Ham for £40m. Kilman had left Maidenhead in 2018 for Wolves with a sell-on clause should he move again. So it is estimated that his transfer to the London Stadium will give Maidenhead a windfall of £4m.
Just goes to underline the value of developing home grown talent, so the club’s desire to set this up is to be applauded.
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In another development Torquay United’s Women are officially part of the club as they look for a swift return to the National League. Head of Women’s Football Steve Elswood said, “We are absolutely delighted to be part of this exciting new journey alongside the Bryn Consortium.”
Maybe they will be able to play some of their home fixtures at Plainmoor.
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After football commentator Clive Tyldesley was axed by ITV during their Euro coverage, a national newspaper ran a story about who are the top ten TV commentators of all time: 10. Kenneth Wolstenholme 9. Ian Darke 8. Darren Fletcher 7. Hugh Johns 6. Clive Tyldesley 5. John Motson 4.David Coleman 3. Martin Tyler 2. Brian Moore 1. Barry Davies.
Agree or disagree? Who would be your number one? Send your choice to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
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