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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OVER 30 FORMER COLLEAGUES RETURN TO PLAINMOOR TO PAY TRIBUTE TO BEDS
TONY BEDEAU REMEMBERED BY OVER 4,4000 ON A DAY OF MEMORIES
PAUL WOTTON TAKING FLIGHT REVEALS THE LIFE OF A FOOTBALL MANAGER
Saturday afternoon, at yet another packed Plainmoor, was a poignant occasion when the football match to be played against Hornchurch came second in importance. For the Torquay football family came together as one to remember ex-Gull Tony Bedeau who had passed away very unexpectedly earlier in the week at the young age of only 45.
Fittingly, the heavy overnight rain, which carried on into the morning, stopped in time for an emotional ceremony on the pitch prior to kick-off, as Tony’s family, friends and some of his ex-player colleagues paid tribute.
The whole ground, including 120 travelling Hornchurch fans who joined in, gave a lengthy applause with the Popside singing ‘There’s only one Tony Bedeau’. To underline the impression Beds made in his time at Torquay over 30 of his former team mates made it their priority to be there.
Amongst these were Garry Nelson, Kevin Hodges, Jimmy Aggrey, Steve Tully, Paul Gibbs, Kenny Vevsey, Paul Trollope and Andy McFarlane all joined by former Soccer AM star Helen Chamberlain.
Others who posted condolences but couldn’t be there included: Jason Roberts, Brian Healy, Matt Villis, Chris Todd and Chris Hargreaves.
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After the game in The Cove restaurant Jimmy Aggrey paid a very moving tribute to Beds, someone he had known since they were eleven years old. It proved to be a fitting end to a sad day.
Bedeau made his United debut as a 16 year old and went on to make 374 appearances in two spells scoring 65 goals. He will be forever remembered as a true Torquay legend.
Garry Nelson posted on Twitter/X: ‘A very moving tribute to Tony. Just as I remember the club - warm and friendly.’
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Saturday’s match was a hard fought victory to move the club back up to second behind leaders Dorking Wanderers. A 2-0 half-time lead was an example of taking advantage of two opportunities both scored by defenders, Matt Carson with the second after a brilliant pass from Jordan Young and the first from the Non-League player in the Team of the Day Fin Craske.
The second half turned into a frantic rear guard action as Hornchurch mounted wave after wave of relentless attacks. No wonder manager Paul Wotton wiped his brow when he went to applaud the Popside.
James Hamon, Hammy, rightly was the sponsor’s Man of the Match not only because of his penalty save but for other crucial saves, his performance was a key factor in claiming the three points. He also made the Vanarama South Team of the Day.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Southend 6,908, Oldham 5,738, Torquay 4,460, Scunthorpe 4,059, Bury FC 3,724, Hartlepool 3,631, Yeovil 3,179. Burnley Defence Watch: Following Burnley’s 0-0 draw at Preston they have played 32 Championship fixtures and still only conceded 9 goals.
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Following a welcome return to form in recent league matches Torquay United Women crashed out of the Devon County Women’s Premier Cup to Marine Academy Plymouth 4-1 on Sunday. Top scorer Lucy Solloway netted their only goal.
It was an unfortunate defeat as MAP are United’s title rivals sitting top of the table albeit having played four more games. Next month’s league fixture will be crucial.
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National South’s mini-league at the top continued on Tuesday night as Eastbourne Borough romped to a 5-0 win at lowly Enfield Town who had been making a huge effort to avoid relegation with four successive victories. On Saturday Eastbourne had lost 3-0 at Boreham Wood.
But their win on Tuesday put them up to second knocking United down to third.
While on Saturday, as United travel to Chelmsford, Dorking are home (v Farnborough), Eastbourne home to Hemel Hempstead, Maidstone home to Bath City, Truro home to Slough, Worthing home to Salisbury with Boreham Wood travelling to St Albans.
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Paint Up Plainmoor continues with a dedicated band of volunteers working to upgrade areas of Boots & Laces which is attracting more and more customers and not just on match days.
Another fans’ favourite, Leroy Rosenior, returns for an Evening With Leroy on Friday February 28th. At £15 a ticket it should be a very interesting evening.
The club is to be praised for inviting an ex player every home game to talk about their career in The Cove while those there are enjoying their lunch.
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A big plus at the end of the week was the successful appeal to overturn Sam Dreyer’s red card he received at Worthing. Is this the first time in living memory Torquay have had a successful appeal?
If you haven’t watched ‘Taking Flight’ Episode 1 yet you should; it’s a great watch and is something every Torquay fan will enjoy. In this first episode Paul Wotton shows how the stress of managing a football club rules your life.
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