Fan Zone 14/05/2025

FAN ZONE

TUST's Chair and TUFC board member, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

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HISTORIC  MOMENT  AS  TORQUAY  WOMEN  BECOME  AN  OFFICIAL  PART  OF  THE  CLUB

SPECULATION  BEGINS  AS  THE  RETAINED  LIST  IS  ANNOUNCED

STRICTLY  ROWCROFT  BECKONS  FOR  MICHAEL  ‘DANCE’  WESTCOTT

Since that play-off semi-final home defeat which clearly is still a talking point, there have been two major announcements from the club. So, it’s only polite it is ladies first. On Monday came the news that the women’s team who play under the banner ‘Torquay United’ will, from next season, become an official part of the club.

The club statement says, “The affiliation will see Torquay United’s men’s and women’s teams operating under the same banner, uniting both sides as representatives of one club.”

In order for the women to work in tandem with the club, Bryn Consortium member and director Rob Hawes will take up the role of Chairman of Women’s Football.

Women’s captain and club director Danni Wyatt expressed her delight posting on X, “I am so proud to witness this historic moment for TUFC. Together we are poised for an exciting future.” And Women’s manager Lee Mann said, “Massive future for Torbay for ladies and girls’ football.”

The team has the title, and the chance to return to the Women’s National League, in their own hands with the final two matches. The first of these was scheduled for last Sunday against Sherborne Ladies but had to be rescheduled due to multiple players participating in charity fundraisers so this match will now be played on Sunday May 25th.

However, the final home fixture is confirmed for this Sunday at Plainmoor (May 18th) with a 2pm kick-off. There may still be time to grab a bargain with the club offering a match ticket and a two- course meal in The Cove all for £20. Contact bookings@torquayunited.com.

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The second news story coming out of Plainmoor was the retained/released list. At every football club at all levels supporters love to speculate on which players they would happily never see again and those who must be kept at all costs.

Fans build up their favourites and, of course, hope that their particular star player signs a new contract but in the modern football world players come and go; it’s pretty rare for a footballer in today’s age to spend a whole career at one club.

Close to this Dean Moxey stands out as a truly professional role model, 156 Torquay appearances over a five- year spell in a career totalling 709 games. He was a shining example of how to remain fully fit and focussed – what a shame his final time in a United shirt ended in disappointment. I’m sure all Gulls’ fans wish him well in his future endeavours.

Another departure, Omar Mussa, is one of those enigmatic players whose performances divided opinion. He had talent and ability in abundance but lacked consistency with his shooting often woeful but there’s no doubt fans sat up when he came on and, for good or bad, was a fans’ favourite.

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When we look back a year and Paul Wotton only had one player on the books, he starts off the next campaign with enough players retained to form a team.

The interest now, amid further speculation and guesswork, is who does he bring in? Hopefully, there will be more revealing videos from South Devon attractions or maybe something different?

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On the day of the Boreham Wood match United’s football advisor Neil Warnock penned an article in the day’s Daily Mail in which he wrote about the horrors of the final day of the season with the following seeming appropriate, “The Press will be building it up and so will the fans. Everywhere the players go, people are talking about it. From my point of view, it was hard not to think back over the season about things that have gone wrong and things that could have been different. Decisions, moments, contributions made by referees.”

Paul Wotton, no doubt, had these thoughts too.

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And there have been refereeing decisions which have affected the results of at least two United matches.

But this is not unique to our level of football as refereeing standards are a concern in all leagues.

National League referees are paid £300 per match, assistants £150. In Leagues 1 & 2 these figures are £585 & £235.

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Last week I asked for your ‘I was there’ suggestions for memorable matches. Both Jon Fairchild and Sue Turner nominated May 5th 2001 Barnet 2 Torquay 3 with locked out fans watching from trees, it was winner stays up last match of the season.Jon suggested as a close second United’s vital win at Taunton in April last year.Keep sending in your ‘I was there’ match memories to fanszone.tu@gmail.com.

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Are you in the first draw of the new 1899 Club Lotto? Over 430 have signed up with a first prize of over £1,300 along with season tickets for second and third. The draw takes place at 7pm on the 14th of each month – so first draw tonight (Wednesday). Details at draw.ourclublotto.co.uk/tufc/.

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Finally, best wishes to co-chairman Michael Westcott in his bid, with his partner, to be crowned Strictly Rowcroft dance champions on Saturday evening at the Princess Theatre.

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A reminder that TUST members are invited to a Consultation Event to discuss its future strategy and spending priorities at The Cove, Plainmoor next Thursday 22nd May from 7pm

If you have not already accepted the invitation you can reserve your place to attend in person or via Zoom by replying to info@tust.co.uk

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