Fan Zone 23/05/2025
- TUST
- May 24
- 4 min read
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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DANNI’S DREAM COMES TRUE WHILE LEGEND PAUL TAKES UP NEW ROLE
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ANOTHER PAINT UP PLAINMOOR
BOREHAM WOOD SEARCHING FOR MISSING DRUMMER
A little girl’s dream comes true – what a moment! When I was a Headmaster, I would encourage the pupils in my schools to ‘reach for the stars’. It was right that they should have dreams and ambitions.
Eight- year- old Danni Wyatt went to Plainmoor and fell in love with all things Torquay United and Plainmoor itself. She dreamt that one day she would score a goal there and on Sunday, in the women’s team’s penultimate match of the season, needing the three points to close the gap on the current league leaders, she not only scored but hit two goals.
After the game, which was won 6-0, Danni said, “I’m over the moon. Today a lifelong dream came true, it only took 22 years!”
Little did she think all that time ago that not only would she realise her dream but do it as a director of the football club.
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It was the women’s second match of their season at Plainmoor and in front of 247, goals from Tee Kaptein (2), Tracey Cross and Jasmine Barker gave United a comfortable win to take into what will be the title decider this Sunday against Sherborne Ladies. Torquay women sit second in the table behind Marine Academy Plymouth and only three points will see them promoted.
It promises to be a fascinating afternoon in Dorset.
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One of the requirements of membership in the EFL, and encouraged in the National League Premier, is for clubs to have a dedicated Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO).
Behind the scenes over the past few months, after putting together a job description, a number of us from TUST and the club interviewed Paul Bastard.
To the Yellow Army Paul needs no introduction and I’m very pleased to announce that he is the club’s official SLO.
Paul is such a well- known and respected fan who will continue to be a tremendous ambassador for the club in his role providing fan engagement.
Paul as SLO will strengthen the links between the club and the fan base.
One of his first jobs will be to recruit a team of matchday ambassadors to provide help and guidance on match days at Plainmoor. For anyone interested you can contact Paul at slo@torquayunited.com for a job description along with details of how to apply.
Paul had this to say about his appointment, ”Having recently moved back down to the Bay, it is high time I put something back into the club which has given me, as an exile, so much over the decades.”
He went on, “This is a terrific opportunity to build on the harmonious relationship with supporters being fostered by the Bryn Consortium and TUST.”
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With preparations now taking shape in anticipation of the new season we know the make-up of the National Leagues at Steps 1 & 2.
Following Sunday’s North and South Play-Off Finals Scunthorpe United and Boreham Wood move up while it was confirmed that Merthyr Town would go North to allow Ebbsfleet, Maidenhead and Dagenham to join the South.
No matter which teams will play in the National League next season, over half will be former Football League clubs, surely strengthening the argument for three-up, three-down.
Meanwhile, National South will be a very competitive league chasing that one automatic promotion place.
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In order for any club to stand a chance there needs to be a healthy competitive playing budget and the recently published Plainmoor Passes are hopefully going to help drive this club forward.
Last season’s top South average attendances were Torquay 3,943, Maidstone 2,374 and Truro 1,814.
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A year ago, a willing band of volunteers carried out an amazing amount of painting jobs inside the stadium - walls, gates, turnstiles and steps.
We need your help again for Paint Up Plainmoor 2 and you can volunteer by emailing fanszone.tu@gmail.com with your name and contact details.
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People talk about the ‘football family’ and some stories never cease to amaze. Boreham Wood are trying to find out who the drummer was at their play-off semi-final at Plainmoor earlier in the month because a family who live in Newcastle whose father died recently want to buy the drummer a season ticket in his memory for the coming season.
What a kind gesture.
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Are you one of 500 who have joined the 1899 Lotto? First winners were announced last Wednesday.
Go to: https://draw.ourclublotto.co.uk/tufc/ for all the details.
A big thank you for those members who joined us either in person or online for our consultation evening. It was a very worthwhile chat with a number of sensible suggestions about moving TUST forward. A summary of the meeting will be coming soon.
This is the last fans’ zone for the summer but will be back.
COYY
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