Fan Zone 18/07/2025
- TUST
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
**************************
NEW LEAGUE SEASON BECKONS AS BUILD-UP CONTINUES
WORTHINGTON ARRIVES ALONG WITH NEW HOME SHIRT
MPs VOTE AGAINST FREE-TO-AIR PREMIER TV BUT UNITED ON DAZN TWICE
The big build-up to August 9th gathers pace with more activity at TQ1. Co-chairmen Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh spoke about the road ahead, hopes and dreams, in an exclusive session on TorquayTalk.
Then there was a big signing announced, a name doing the rounds on social media, confirming the arrival of Matt Worthington – it’s a man thing – on a three- year contract from Oldham Athletic, previously at Yeovil in their promotion winning side from National South. His arrival adds more bite in mid-field, something which was lacking last season.
Finally, hot on the heels of the much-praised new away shirt, this year’s home shirt was unveiled. The days of clubs only changing their kit every other year are over so fans need to get used to annual turn-overs.
Tomorrow (Saturday) the Plainmoor faithful will get to see not only the new home shirt, new players wearing it but also the return of the much-missed Matchday Ambassadors under the direction of our new Supporter Liaison Officer Paul Bastard.
Paul, since his appointment, has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to build up a team of fifteen volunteers who will work on a rota system. VX3 are kindly producing some distinctive tops so the ambassadors can be instantly recognised.
I can also reveal that planning has already started for re-introducing fan zones on Plainmoor Green, the first, weather permitting, being organised for the visit of Enfield Town.
As last week’s column mentioned, many clubs in National South have upped their playing budgets in an attempt to seemingly ‘buy’ their way out of this league and the arrival of a big name, Andy Carroll, at Dagenham & Redbridge has got fans talking.
The journey from August until next May promises to be an exciting one – so get ready for the ride!
Tomorrow’s visit of League 2 Newport County will be the first of a proper test with Newport fresh from their 1-0 friendly win at Weston-super- Mare on Tuesday evening.
Newport, known as the Exiles, will be wearing their new VX3 away shirt – so fans can contrast and compare. Whichever way, it’ll be a VX3 take-over as they also supply all Newport’s kit.
The club first began as Newport County, known as the Ironsides, but ceased trading in 1989 becoming Newport AFC three months later. Ten years later the name changed again, to become Newport County AFC which is what the club is called now.
Gulls players who have played for both sides include Momodou Touray, who came on loan in August 2019, Richard Thompson, Lewis Collins and Jay Foulston.
Last week MPs voted to back the Football Governance Bill, 415 votes to 98, to establish an independent regulator to oversee England’s top five divisions. Regular readers will be aware of TUST’s involvement and backing in ensuring this bill became law.
Too many football clubs have suffered from discredited owners with currently Morecambe sadly having serious problems with their owner with the threat of administration or worse.
MPs also voted against a proposal to make at least ten Premier League games on free-to-air television each season. Live Premier matches have been broadcast behind a paywall since the league’s inception 33 years ago.
It’s been worked out that to watch all Sky and TNT Premier matches this season would cost a fan £660. ITV, though, will broadcast 10 free-to-air Championship matches this season.
MPs voted against scrapping the rule banning alcohol in football stands across the five divisions. The ban on alcohol has been in place since 1985 to curb hooliganism on the terraces. MPs saw no reason to lift the ban. From Step 2 down it’s allowed but not at Plainmoor.
It’s been an eventful week for Women’s football with the penalty shoot-out drama of England versus Sweden in the Euros with the Lionesses through to the semi-finals.
There has also been the news of a partnership between the women of Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United which will ensure a designated pathway for players in the area to bring through the best emerging talent to give them an opportunity to create a career in women’s football.
One of the discussion points on TorquayTalk this week was about diversity and inclusion and the FSA have just announced Fans for Diversity Meet-Up 2025 for Friday September 26th 11.30am to 6pm at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
So, which team(s) do you think will be the one(s) to watch in National South as United’s rivals? Let me know at fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
After Newport we have two more home friendlies with Argyle here on Wednesday bringing over 1000 green army with them and Exeter City on Friday.
Looking ahead DAZN, who broadcast National League matches, have announced United will feature twice in the coming weeks, Bank Holiday Monday August 25th v Dover Athletic at Plainmoor and Tuesday September 2nd at Hampton.
COYY
SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
Comments