Fan Zone 20/12/2025
- TUST
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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UNITED RETURN TO LEAGUE FOOTBALL IN HAMPSHIRE AS THE PROMOTION RACE BUILDS
DO FIFA FA AND TV COMPANIES EVER CONSIDER THE VALUE OF FOOTBALL FANS?
HERE IT IS - THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS QUIZ TESTING YOUR UNITED KNOWLEDGE
After a blank Saturday, thanks to being knocked out of the FA Trophy, for players and fans it’s back to National South league action today.
This week’s Press Call was on Friday when the manager gave an update about who’s available/not available. For the first time for a while Wotton has plenty to pick from with an almost full squad which might include the returning Cody Cooke for the trip to Totton.
During the week there was a crucial match between two contenders for the top spot, on this occasion Dorking beat Weston 3-2.
It might only be close to half way through the season but the promotion race is hotting up with every three points on offer vital. United go into the Christmas/New Year period with optimism and head towards what is turning out to be another nail- biting season.
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It was good to hear from the two co-chairs of the football club answering fans’ questions in their Chairmen’s Chat underlining the openness of the Bryn Consortium. Issues such as the recent redundancies and drinking in the stands trial were addressed.
It is fact, though, that despite many fans thinking crowds of over 3,000 give the club financial stability there is a short fall of around £500,000 to tackle before the club is sustainable.
This week the directors of Aldershot Town, struggling near the bottom of the National League, had to issue a statement dismissing ‘malicious’ misinformation circulating on social media about players allegedly not paid with the club going into administration.“We have taken this step to publicly refute and dismiss the claims as nothing more than malicious trolling.”
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Long standing United fan and TUST member Nick Wotton contacted me to tell me a story about his son Jack, a big Gulls fan, who works in Australia as a Chartered Surveyor living in Bondi. Last Sunday he witnessed the events unfolding before him.
Nick who regularly has conversations with Paul Wotton, no relation, mentioned this week to the manager about his son feeling shocked over what he had witnessed and Paul Wotton took it upon himself to contact Jack, on behalf of the club, to offer support and wish him well.
Nick feels this gesture speaks volumes for the manager underlining what a special football club we all support.
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In stark contrast the world governing body, FIFA, seems to feel fans are an irritant. The prices for tickets for next year’s World Cup have been well documented this week. After a backlash, FIFA announced a small number of tickets at £45 thinking these would fix the problem but the problem doesn’t look like going away. In addition, FIFA are refusing to reduce prices for fans with disabilities or offer companion passes.
Our own FA are no better allowing TV companies to virtually run football. For example, you only have to look at January’s FA Cup Round 3 ties with 22 of the games being moved for TV coverage leaving only ten Saturday matches kicking off at 3pm.
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United’s Women kept up their good run with a fifth consecutive victory, this time 2-0 at Frampton Rangers with goals in each half from Tee Kaptein and Beth Everson.
With games in hand the squad can now re-charge as they don’t play again until January 4th.
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Those of you who followed my weekly columns in the Herald Express will know that Christmas would not be Christmas without the annual quiz.The Christmas Quiz tests your knowledge of Torquay United, past and present and there’s a £30 Torquay United Club Shop VX3 voucher on offer to the winner. So, get quizzing and good luck!
In January Worthing dumped United out of the FA Trophy. What was the score?
In what year did Torquay United first become a member of the Football League?
What was the club’s original nickname?
Sammy Collins is the club’s record goalscorer. How many did he score?
Police dog Bryn saved the day but who did United draw 2-2 with that day?
How many Wembley appearances have United made?
Name the United player who made a record 474 appearances.
Name the only United player to have scored 5 goals in a league game.
Name the United player for whom the club received a record £600,000.
Matt Jay signed in January from which EFL club?
Last season’s average attendance of 3,800 was the highest since which season?
Which former Torquay manager succeeded Matt Busby at Manchester United?
What was the Plainmoor attendance on January 1st 2025 v Truro?
Keane Anderson joined on loan in September from which National League team?
Including the 7-0 win over Eastbourne how many times have United won by 7-0?
How many watched United’s Women’s October FA Cup tie with Exeter City at Plainmoor?
TUST has this year helped pay for a number of projects at the club. Name two.
In which year was Bristow’s Bench opened?
What is VX3’s moto?
Send all 20 answers to fanszone.tu@gmail.com. Include your name and contact details, including your postal address.
Closing date is 12 Noon Friday January 2nd 2026. Question setter’s decision is final. ____________________________________________________________________
We are asking if there is an architect or designer amongst the TUST membership as the club are looking for one for some potential work. If you can help, please send your details to me fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
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Finally, all of us on the TUST board send our best wishes for a Very Happy Christmas and Successful (Promotion) New Year to all our members.
COYY
SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
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