ARE UNITED HEADING SOUTH?
TUST JOINS WITH THE CLUB TO PROVIDE CHILDREN’S VIP TREATS
In a season which has turned into one of doom and gloom, full credit to the travelling fans. With two away matches in five days 833 were singing their hearts out at Derby followed by 264 at Barnet on Saturday - they certainly deserve better from a team which is in serious danger of slipping before our very eyes into the football world of regional, part-time teams.
On current displays trips to Bath City, Chippenham and Taunton Town are on the horizon. How has all this been allowed to happen?
In Gary Johnson we have the most experienced manager in the league and his promises that we will get out of this are wearing thin, testing the patience of even the most loyal Torquay United supporter.
Losing at home to Gateshead on Saturday is unthinkable but by the time that match is played followed by a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge, kick-off now confirmed as 12.30pm, United will have played half a season.
With three wins from the current 21 fixtures and no clean sheets since August 13 these are concerning times.
******
Last Saturday the team travelled to North London to take on Barnet and yet again conceded an early goal but at least their second half performance was an improvement on recent disastrous re-starts and, by all accounts, we were the better side. However, that’s all well and good if you turn possession and dominance into goals.
On Tuesday, the tactics were to take the game to Derby with the result that the TV audience saw five goals, none to United but the stats make for interesting reading: Goal attempts Derby 16, Torquay 14; On target Derby 7 Torquay 7; Corners Derby 6 Torquay 10.
The FA Cup ‘run’ certainly has given the club’s finances a boost and Johnson has always stated that when he makes a case for a new signing there are always sympathetic ears hearing what he asks.
Could we then live in the hope that the club will bring in some better recruits? It would also be a time to admit that a number of the summer signings have not made the grade and should, therefore, be moved on.
*******
Treats. Who doesn’t like a treat?
Off the field TUST has always congratulated the club on its work with the local community providing opportunities for watching matches with free entry, for example NHS workers, a special day for women and girls #HerGameToo and most recently for Swim Torquay.
Over the last few months TUST has been working on a project with the football club, Play Torbay and Torbay’s Children’s Services to provide VIP treats for local children with autism and other learning difficulties. And we are pleased to announce that the first group of children will be special guests at Saturday’s match with Gateshead.
Through funding from TUST, these children will be able to familiarise themselves with Plainmoor on a non-match day as well as being able to play games and use art and craft materials. But it is thanks to the club for running and promoting the project.
It’s an exciting joint venture which will allow up to sixty children over the remainder of the season to experience a professional football match and may also help develop a life long love of Torquay United.
*******
So, the World Cup is underway but not without ongoing controversy from the day the Quatar bid was successful, to the use of migrant workers to build the stadiums, to the late banning of beer tents. This must be one of the most disappointing, underwhelming tournaments in the history of the World Cup, still England got off to a winning start.
In normal years there would be plenty of excitement but there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm. Where are the car flags? Where are the banners hanging from bedroom windows? Wonder what the TV viewing figures will be like? FIFA hasn’t exactly covered itself in glory.
*******
Non-League Crowd Watch: With entry for only a fiver, Notts County set a new National League record attendance of 16,511 as they disappointed the majority with a 0-0 draw against visitors Yeovil, under new management, and clawing their way from danger.
Wrexham, once again, managed a 10,071 gate, as they took advantage of County’s slip-up to go top and Chesterfield remain on their heels in front of 7,001.
3,765 saw Macclesfield come back from 2-3 down at home to score two added time goals to win their Northern Premier West Division game 4-3.
*******
United’s Under-18s remain unbeaten in their league games following a fourth win out of four with a comfortable 3-0 win over Wimborne Town; goals from Callum Thomas, George Collins and Ben Aldous.
Due to a waterlogged pitch United’s Women’s fixture home to Sherborne Ladies was called off, this in a week when researchers have found that women football players are at risk of injury because their football boots are based on men’s and get stuck in the pitch too easily. Studies have found female players are four to six times more likely to suffer an interior cruciate ligament injury than men.
The study also found women players were at increased risk of injury as they tend to play on Sundays after the pitch has already been churned up by a men’s game on the Saturday.
Manager Steve Elswood pulled off a coup by signing prolific Exeter City striker Connie Pengelly to join his squad.
This Sunday the squad travel to play Bournemouth Sports in the second round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
*******
Good news on ex-Gull Bath City striker Alex Fletcher who suffered an horrendous head injury. He’s out of intensive care and slowly on the recovery road.
*******
Last week’s question about Torquay’s survival hopes depend very much on if you believe in the manager while others ask has the time come to reluctantly make a change.
This week, are you excited by the World Cup or not bothered? Send your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @FanszoneT
No matter your current feelings about the club your support is needed on Saturday.
COYY
SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
Comments