Fan Zone 12/07/2025
- TUST
- Jul 13
- 4 min read
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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UNITED’S PRE-SEASON START OVERCOMES BUCKLAND IN A HEATWAVE
NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES EXPLAINED - NO PENCIL INVOLVED
HERE’S THE LOWDOWN ON THREE PROMOTED SIDES TO NATIONAL SOUTH
One of the most requested records at the moment must surely be Heatwave by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, an old Motown favourite. Just when the weather makes you feel like sleeping in the garden or putting your head in a bucket of ice water football is back.
Well, for some football has never gone away but for the Yellow Army it returned at sun-drenched Buckland at lunch time as United’s new look first outing ended in a 3-0 win with many players getting valuable minutes into their legs.
The match followed on from two successful and enjoyable TUST organised CSI events for our wonderful investors; a Golf Day on Wednesday followed by the Meet the Manager (& Neil Warnock) the next evening.
Apologies for this column being sent a little late due to my being at Lords on Thursday and Friday roasting more than a Costa coffee bean (other coffee shops are available).
Everything at the club is now geared towards the big kick-off and a visit on the opening day from the same team, Enfield Town, who came to Plainmoor for the first match last season.
It always feels when the fixtures are released that the excitement and anticipation of a new season are beginning to build.
How were the National League fixtures compiled? A few years ago some were hinting that they must have been done by pencil on rough pieces of paper. Maybe unfair but the truth is very different.
Across the three National League divisions there’s a total of 1,656 games to sort out and 72 clubs to keep happy.
Once a season is finished and the make-up of each division is known clubs are sent a fixture questionnaire asking a series of questions, for example any days a team prefers not to play at home and which teams would you like to play over Christmas and Easter.
Atso, an IT company, is tasked with putting the fixtures together; first the Premier League, then EFL and finally National League – hence the different times they are released.
Even before a ball has been kicked in anger, National South is proving to be a very challenging, competitive division. Salisbury have recently been taken over by Kuwaiti businessman Ali Alhamad and Chelmsford City, under new manager Angelo Harrop, have become a full-time team. Then factor in Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet and Maidenhead United who have dropped down.
Farnborough manager Spencer Day reckons there will be a minimum of £8million spent on player wages alone this coming season; last year Eastbourne splashed £1m.
Without exaggeration Day believes there will be around ten sides vying for the title and 80% thinking they can make the play-offs.
Which teams were promoted into National South? Southern League champions AFC Totton make the step up. Formed in 1974 following the amalgamation of Totton FC and Totton Athletic the Stags started life in the Hampshire League Division Two.
Since then, they have climbed the leagues and under manager Jimmy Ball were champions of Southern League Division One South in 2022-23 moving up in Southern League Premier South becoming champions last season. They play at the Snows Stadium and player to watch will be ex-Gull Scott Rendell who scores plenty of goals. In defence is another ex-Gull Joe Oastler.
Dover Athletic are no strangers to the division. Having gone through several turbulent years, the Whites finished fifth in the Isthmian League but defeated Kent rivals Dartford 2-0 in the play-off final to re-join South after a one season absence. Founded in 1983 their highest league placing is fifth in the National League in 2015-16. They play at Crabble Athletic Ground with manager Jake Leberl. Look out for top scorer George Nikaj (23 goals last season).
Joining them from the Isthmian League as champions, but only on goal difference - +42 to Billericay’s +41 – are Horsham. Known as the Hornets they have had impressive FA Cup runs, reaching Round 1 three times in the last four years. In 2023-24 in Round 2 they drew 3-3 at Barnsley, lost the replay 3-0 but were reinstated as Barnsley fielded an illegible player. They play at the Fusion Aviation Stadium under manager Dom Di Paola. Top scorer last season Chris Dickson (20).
Since last week’s column there’s been plenty of activity at TQ1, Ryan Perks was appointed as the new manager of the Women’s side and much to everyone’s relief (well those who follow women’s football) the England side had a comprehensive 4-0 win,
Sonny Blu-Lo Everton joined from Yeovil to add extra bite in mid-field and the introduction of the new away shirt has already proved to be a winner.
Now the countdown begins to August 9th with three pre-season friendlies beforehand. The excitement is building.
July’s Lotto draw is next week, 14th, so have you bought your ticket? There are some fantastic prizes as well as the jackpot.
Finally, we at TUST want to thank our 15 matchday ambassadors who have volunteered to help on match days at Plainmoor.
We are now looking for someone who would be willing to help Julian the club groundsman for a couple of hours once a week. Contact me at: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
COYY
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