Fan Zone 26/09/2025
- TUST
- Sep 27
- 3 min read
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALLER DIES AFTER COLLIDING WITH PERIMETER WALL
DANNI NOMINATED FOR A WEST COUNTRY WOMEN’S AWARD
BRIXHAM’S GREATEST EVER VICTORY? UNITED OUT OF ANOTHER CUP
Two away FA Cup ties in the past two years – Bishops Cleeve and AFC Totton – and two disappointing defeats could make even the most yellow-tinted fan lose their love of the competition but for two other United teams the magic of the FA Cup is alive and well.
On Monday under the Plainmoor floodlights the club’s Under-18s, following their 3-1 win over AFC St Austell in the previous round, take on Street in the FA Youth Cup second round qualifying. With a 7pm kick-off and heavily reduced entry prices – adults £5, concessions/Under-18s £3 and Plainmoor Pass holders free – it’s a chance to see future talent.
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And the importance of the FA Cup doesn’t end there, for on Sunday week (October 5th) United’s women take on Southampton in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup third round qualifying, again at Plainmoor – adults £7, Under-18s £3, Pass holders free. Why not enjoy a roast chicken Sunday lunch in the Cove before the game? You’ll need to book in advance.
For anyone concerned about the state of the pitch, with no match tomorrow and next Saturday’s away at Salisbury, the next week is an ideal time for these cup games to be played at Plainmoor, giving an extra dimension to home advantage, especially as the club doesn’t have a reserve side.
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It is always something special, adding a sense of pride, to be nominated for an award so our congratulations to Danni Wyatt who is a semi-finalist in the Women In Sport Award, one of many categories in the West Country Women’s Awards 2025.
Danni, competing against five other candidates, is nominated for her work with Torquay United; until recently she was the club’s HerGameToo ambassador, is a board member of the Supporters’ Trust and last year she was elected to be the Trust’s second representative on the football club’s board.
Over recent years she has been the captain of the women’s team as well as being the driving force behind the women’s team’s rise in profile and popularity, culminating in seeing the women play regular fixtures at Plainmoor.She also holds the distinction of being the only director of the football club to score a goal at Plainmoor! The judge choosing the winner in the sport section is former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies.
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Whilst the St. Luke’s Devon Bowl is not the highest of priorities it was difficult to comprehend another cup exit, this time on penalties, made worse by the Torbay Weekly reporting this was Brixham’s greatest ever victory!
Just goes to show how important are local bragging rights.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Saturday & Mid-Week: York v Carlisle 7,272 (including 1,527 away), York v Solihull 5,715, Scunthorpe 4,295, Altrincham 3,332, Torquay 3,246.
There have been more non-league managerial changes this week. Despite being 15th in the table and unbeaten in their last four games, Tonbridge Angels sacked boss Craig Nelson after a 1-0 win at Worthing, installing Alan Dunne from Bromley in his place – on the same day!Another National South side, Weston-super-Mare, second in the table, lost manager Scott Bartlett who moved on to take over at Eastleigh who also appointed ex-Gull Chris Todd from Yeovil as Director of Football.
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Back in November 2022 Bath City forward Alex Fletcher suffered an horrendous head injury during a National South league fixture when he collided with a perimeter wall. He spent 10 months recovering and although he tried to resume his career had to retire age 25.
Now, Dorking Wanderers outspoken manager Marc White has said, “All clubs need the FA to instruct an immediate enquiry into pitch surrounds”, following the tragic death of Chichester City player Billy Vigar who died on Thursday after colliding with a pitch-side wall in a match at Wingate & Finchley on Saturday.
We all send our condolences to Billy’s family and friends and hope that action will now be taken. A petition – Vigar’s Law – to ban brick walls near touchlines and bylines, has been set up with over 6,270 signatures already. You can add yours at: Petition · Vigar’s Law - Ban brick walls around football pitches - United Kingdom · Change.org
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The upgrade of the Supporters’ Trust website continues, the latest being the frequently asked questions. You can view these at www.tust.co.uk/faq.
If you have any questions about the club, you can contact me at fanszone.tu@gmail.com
COYY
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