Fan Zone 28/06/2026
- TUST
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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PRE-SEASON GETS UNDERWAY ON GRASS NOT PLASTIC
UNITED SAVIN NEWS OF SECOND KEEPER ON SATURDAY
THERE’S STILL TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR FOREVER YELLOW MEMBERSHIP
There’s been much talk in recent days about hydration breaks every 30 minutes but come on, climate change has seen heat records broken in the UK on two consecutive days so, drinking fluids is essential. But for my wife and I we spent the past week in Northumberland where not only did temperatures struggle to get past 20 degrees but also the wifi was elusive, hence no fans’ zone last week.
Hydration breaks in the World Cup have been a talking point too but we’ve seen these in our domestic games.
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It was May 9th when the last ball kicked in anger saw United suffer heartache at Hornchurch but come Monday of this week, just 44 days later, the Gulls’ squad, newly assembled, was back in action as pre-season training commenced.
It has been an illuminating privilege to have been party to Jimmy Ball’s football philosophy as he has spelled out to the TUFC board of directors his meticulous plans for not just recruitment but how he approaches pre-season.
For one, the players are working on their fitness (including a day of testing at Plymouth’s Marjon University on Tuesday), tactics, various game plans and team work on grass rather than on a 3G training area which has previously been the case.
His recruitment strategy is to speak to at least four or more people connected to each individual player – previous manager/coach, fitness coach, team mates – Ball makes sure he has covered all bases with the club’s new strength and conditioning coach also doing due diligence on each new signing (before signing of course).
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The latest signing was the arrival of a much needed second goalkeeper, savin his announcement to Saturday morning. Toby or not Toby our number one? As long as he’s Savin plenty of clean sheets every fan will be pleased.
And there may well be another signing this coming week but forget Deon Moore.
Yes, an unnamed EFL club has put in bids for Sam Dreyer, who is clearly a talent, but the club has turned these down.
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Despite some differing opinions, the coming National South season will be another competitive one. So, who are the teams likely to be challenging for that one automatic promotion slot?
Dagenham under new manager Lee Allinson have brought in thirteen new players. Or what about Marc White’s Dorking, always a threat. Maybe Ebbsfleet? And there’s always an outsider who are unfancied.
What are your thoughts? Which team/teams could challenge at the top? Send me your thoughts to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
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Now that Scotland are out, it’s left to England. Are we seriously in with a chance of winning the World Cup, after 60 years?
A great, exhilarating second half against Croatia, a disappointing 0-0 against Ghana followed by an uninspiring 2-0 against Panama.
So, now we have more medicine to take against DR Congo on Wednesday.
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The Yellow Army will get its first look at the new signings on Saturday at Buckland when Ball’s squad will get a maximum of 45 minutes each as they build up their minutes.
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TUST is asking its members to vote for our partners, the Torquay United Community Sports Trust, in the Caremark Community Care Fund. It is one of 12 finalists (out of 1600 submissions!) looking to secure an award of £3,000 to support its activities. They need as many votes as possible before 1st September. Please follow the link and simply reply ‘South West’: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/192vnw3tyv/
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This is, of course Summer, so I’m typing this whilst watching Ben Stokes announcing his retirement from international cricket as New Zealand’s last two wickets stubbornly refuse to fall.
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To all our members who have pledged to help our Forever Yellow campaign to reach £100,000 through upgrading your membership tier – thank you.
There’s still time for bronze members to move to silver, gold or platinum.
Go to: https://www.tust.co.uk/join. Let’s get to that magic figure before August 8th.
COYY
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