THAT’S THE TICKET AS THE YELLOW ARMY RETURNS FOR A CRUCIAL HOME GAME Football fans display a wide range of emotions and opinions which make for interesting conversations especially when able to meet up - and that opportunity is less than a day away when the Yellow Army are finally allowed back inside Plainmoor. Assuming, of course, as a non-season ticket holder you were able to buy a ticket after the unprecedented demand last Wednesday. For the unlucky ones at least there’s still the live streaming. With the club not divulging how many are permitted to attend it’ll be of interest to see Saturday’s gate.
As a good example of the variety of opinions of fans there are those, after Sunday’s pulsating match against Stockport County, who are resigned to the Gulls being in the play-offs while there are those who believe nothing has been decided yet.
As United boss Gary Johnson said after the game, “ The title’s not gone until it’s gone.”
The BT Sport cameras served up a lunchtime menu of four goals, chances missed and the number one contender, by Lucas Covolan, for Save of the Season. It was certainly a great advert for National League football and tempting as it is to refer to it being a non-league fixture, these were two sides who, as BT Sport’s Chris Hargreaves rightly said, are both fit for the Football League.
Sunday’s Man of the Match Connor Lemonheigh-Evans deserved his award as he was at the heart of all Torquay’s best chances, beating the keeper but not the foot of the post, winning the penalty and a wonder pass with the outside of his boot to create the opportunity for Scott Boden’s second.
Although a 2-2 draw was not the result United fans wanted, after dropping two points the previous week, it was, though, a very entertaining and competitive game, with the red card for Aaron Downes being ‘unfortunate’.
So, with two cup finals to go to have a chance of automatic promotion the Gulls have to beat Barnet, preferably by a big margin to improve the goal difference, and hope Hartlepool can win at Sutton in next Sunday’s BT Sport clash. Barnet had a narrow 1-0 mid-week defeat at Solihull Moors so Saturday could be a nervy affair!
With Ben Whitfield and Kyle Cameron back from injury and getting some minutes under their belt what a boost it would be to see Danny Wright again.
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Last week the Premier League announced their renewal of their broadcasting deal to run from 2022-2025 with their current TV partners. The Government’s fan-led review is likely to put pressure on football governing bodies and so some see the Premier League trying to get in first as this new contract includes an additional £100m of funding “ available to more than a 1000 clubs in the National League system, women’s and girls’ football, EFL Leagues 1 & 2 and the Football Foundation.”
This column brought news of the two relegated League 2 clubs hoping to find a loop-hole to avoid dropping into the National League but one of them, Grimsby Town, have agreed with the EFL not to pursue a proposed rule change and now accept their fate. That would seem to be the end of the matter.
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When word spread about the creation of a European Super League football fans throughout were horrified and their collective reaction led to the Government implementing a fans-led review, to be chaired by former Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, into football governance.
TUST is looking to be involved in this review but would like to hear the opinions of the Yellow Army. To this end TUST will be holding a Zoom Social on Tuesday June 1 at 6.30pm and joining us will be Malcolm Clarke, Chair of the Football Supporters’ Association and FA Council member.
This promises to be a great, once in a lifetime opportunity for TUST members and non-members to join in the debate to shape the response to the review. Your opinions matter and if you have any questions you would like to raise in advance please submit them to tustsecretary@gmail.com
Full details of the Zoom Social can be found at: TUST EXCLUSIVE! CONSULTATION EVENT WITH THE FSA CHAIR
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This is going to be an anxious week in two Johnson households. Father Gary still bent on promotion while son Lee’s Sunderland take on Lincoln City in the League 1 Play-Off Semi-Finals over two legs but on Wednesday Lincoln triumphed so it’s all on Sunderland tomorrow to over-turn a 2-0 deficit. Let’s hope it’s smiles for both Johnsons come Saturday evening.
With the club providing information on how to vote for Player and Young Player of the Season, judging from the responses this column has received, it’s going to be a close run competition. Asa Hall has plenty of support for POTS but don’t rule out Connor Lemonheigh-Evans or even Adam Randell.
As for Young player this will also be close, maybe between Randell and Sam Sherring. It’s up to you!
At last, on Saturday there’ll be a crowd inside Plainmoor and could the Yellow Army really make a difference and be that 12th man? Gary Johnson is certainly hoping so - make some noise for the boys!
As always you can contact me at: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @FanszoneT
To all the Yellow Army keep the faith, anything’s still possible and COYY!
SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
COMING SOON - OUR NEXT MEMBERS' ZOOM EVENING Tuesday 1st June at 6.30pm Your opportunity to discuss the fan-led review and other matters in the footballing world with our special guest, Malcolm Clarke, Chair of the FSA and FA Council member. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83615632012?pwd=S243bVF3QTNhVmo5UzJhaUtPWWdBQT09