IS IT CURTAINS FOR SOUTHEND UNITED AS TAKEOVER STALLS ?
TRURO CITY LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING TO CORNWALL
AARON JARVIS IS NOT FOR SALE - FANS BREATHE BIG SIGH OF RELIEF
Crisis club Southend United are in danger of being kicked out of the National League. Already under a transfer embargo, the current squad refused to start pre-season training last week as a result of not being paid for June.
Over the weekend this money was paid but too late to rescue what should have been a pre- season friendly at Canvey Island on Tuesday night.
The sale of the club to the consortium, the Kimura group, appears to have stalled and with the club back in the High Court on Wednesday for a winding up petition from HMRC it’s not looking good. However, the judge gave the club a delay of another 42 days which owner Ron Martin had asked for.
The National League are monitoring the situation and it is believed that for the club to be allowed to fulfil its fixtures, it must pay off all its debts to their footballing creditors. Discussions about this continue.
Should any Torquay fans get excited that United will get a reprieve should think again. Were Southend to be expelled, as Macclesfield were at this late stage a few years ago, the league would operate with one less team.
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So the National South fixtures out last week have United travelling to one of their longest away trips to Dover on August 5, a time when the roads are likely to be extra busy - let’s hope it’s an overnight stay.
And as most had predicted it’s Truro City for the festive and New Year matches.
Here’s a look at United’s recent Boxing Day and New Year’s Day fixtures:
Boxing Day: New Year’s Day:
2018-19 Truro City (H) 2018-19 Truro City (A) At Plainmoor
2019-20 Yeovil Town (A) 2019-20 Yeovil Town (H)
2020-21 Yeovil Town (H) 2020-21 Yeovil Town (A)
2021-22 Yeovil Town (H) 2021-22 Yeovil Town (A)
2022-23 Yeovil Town (H) 2022-23 Yeovil Town (A)
2023-24 Truro City (H) 2023-24 Truro City (A)
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Homeless Truro City, Torquay’s local National South rivals, currently playing at Plymouth Parkway’s Bolitho Park in Plymouth could be set to be in their own brand new stadium for season 2024-25.
Work started last month on the foundations at Langarth Garden Village close to Truro where, a few years ago, there were plans for Stadium for Cornwall for Truro and the Cornish Pirates to share.
Funding for this fell well short of what was needed so plans were abandoned. But now the new stadium has been scaled down to a capacity of 3,000.
This stadium will be built on the same site as the proposed Stadium for Cornwall allowing room for further development as and when funding is available. Cornwall Council confirmed they were working along with the football club to provide the new facilities.
Wonder what progress with United’s plans for a new stadium?
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“An enjoyable first run out for the boys, it’s good to be back,” so wrote new United signing Jack Stobbs on Twitter after the 5-0 win at Reading’s Bearwood training facility behind closed doors on Saturday.
Whilst Reading’s youngsters tried to make it a competitive game, United’s squad need to face sterner tests before that opening trip to Dover and hopefully forthcoming matches against Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City will do just that.
With no spectators, those who trawl the internet to unmask the trialists - there were six on Saturday - were sadly disappointed.
As all managers and players say at this early stage of pre-season, it’s important to get minutes into legs - and avoid injuries.
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There was a scare for the Yellow Army in the middle of the week when news filtered through that both Eastleigh and York City were competing for the services of striker Aaron Jarvis but this speculation was swiftly squashed as Gary Johnson came out and said he’s not going anywhere.
Phew, what a relief.
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Pre-Season Crowd Watch: Bury FC (paying their first game at Gigg Lane for four years) v Bradford City 2,135.
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Tonight United season ticket holders have the opportunity to quiz Gary Johnson and Aaron Downes at an event billed as ‘An Audience with Gary & Aaron’ being held in Boots & Laces kicking off at 7.30pm on 13th July. This is probably the closest to the club holding a Fans’ Forum.
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The gofundme initiative set up by Helen Chamberlain to raise funds for a giant TV for former Gull Paul Holmes was a massive success and many thanks to those who donated. Paul was given his TV last week as he recovers from serious surgery.
You can write to the column fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @FanszoneT as Lee Cross did last week questioning why it’s so difficult to buy match tickets especially for holiday makers in the Bay. The club needs a rethink on how it sells merchandise and tickets is his conclusion.
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