NO CHRISTMAS CHEER IN TONBRIDGE AND WHICH SIDE COULD GET A BOXING DAY STUFFING?
Hark! the Tonbridge angels sing, as their fans celebrated a well deserved win into Round 4 of the FA Trophy as Torquay United suffered another cup calamity crashing out again to lower league opposition.
Following Gary Johnson’s tongue-in-cheek quip about where the opposition play, the Angels’ manager Steve McKimm took ‘umbridge in Tonbridge’ but had the last laugh as United returned home feeling like mud to be lonely this Christmas. At least a late winner settled the tie rather than go through the agony of a penalty shoot-out.
It was a disappointing afternoon for United’s two reserve keepers called into action as third choice Marcin Brzozowski played in Gloucester City’s 5-0 Trophy defeat at Wrexham but can take some cheer as City supporters sang out ‘Poland’s Number One’ as he made a string of great saves. Last Christmas, wham United hit Yeovil for six to avenge the previous year’s Boxing Day disaster as the Yellow Army, on the away terrace, saw a deluge of Yeovil goals - another six. So, what’s in store this Boxing Day? Which side will be walking in the air?
The Gulls will be wearing their black and white away kit in support of Shelter’s #NoHomeKit along with many other non-league and EFL teams to raise awareness of the growing number of rough sleepers.
Now that the cup games are gone, Torquay can concentrate on the league with the big question, can they gatecrash the play-offs?
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The National League has followed the EFL lead about the latest Covid protocols: ‘Clubs will be expected to play where it has 14 players, including a goalkeeper, available from the club’s registered squad list.’
Notts County have re-opened the live streaming debate as, through inPlayer, they offered this service on Saturday for their evening Trophy match which they won 2-1 against Altrincham. We know how popular these were for the Yellow Army unable to get to Plainmoor, so how about some creative thinking to re-instate this facility, especially with Covid cases increasing? Maybe somebody in the expanded media team could look into this.
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Interesting news coming from AFC Wimbledon and The Dons Trust who last week appointed a new Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) team of three based on advice from SD Europe, following similar SLO initiatives at Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers.
The role of the SLO team, all unpaid volunteers, includes: SLOs are a bridge between the fans and the club, helping to improve the dialogue between the two; the SLO informs fans about relevant decisions made by the club management and, in the other direction, communicates the points of view of fans to the club; the SLO builds relationships with various fan groups, the police and security officers.
Wimbledon have a Matchday Pod at the entrance to the ground with a type of MatchDay Ambassador answering queries and helping with the distribution of tickets.
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All credit to Exeter City who are donating the profits from their FA Cup replayed replay with Bradford City to the Bradford and Exeter food banks - £7,393 each.
Ex-Gull Watch: Popular striker Rene Howe notched his 18th goal of the season for Bedford Town in a 8-1 demolition of Wantage Town to go top of Southern League Division One Central.
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Torquay United Christmas Quiz Part Two - July to December. A £15 club shop gift voucher for one lucky winner.
11. In July fans voted Lucas Covolan’s play-off header as Goal of the Season. But who came second?
12. Who scored United’s first goal of pre-season at Poole Town?
13. Former player John Turner became Gulls’ Nest bar manager. What position did he play?
14. Who scored for Tiverton in United’s 3-1 pre-season victory?
15. Which player made a surprise return to Plainmoor in September?
16. What did Gary Johnson gift to some of the Yellow Army after the 4-3 win at Maidenhead?
17. Sinclair Armstrong joined the squad from which Championship club?
18. Frank O’Farrell celebrated his birthday in October. Was he 93, 94 or 95?
19. United’s Under-18s lost their 1st Round FA Youth Cup 4-3 to which side?
20. Who joined United in December from Billericay Town?
Christmas Quiz Part One - January to June Questions 1-10 was in last week’s column, a £10 club shop gift voucher for one lucky winner. You can enter Part One for the £10 voucher or Parts One & Two for £15 voucher or Part Two only for a chance of a £15 voucher. All questions come from the club’s official website.
Closing date for entries: 12 noon Wednesday December 29 2021. Question writer’s decision is final. Good luck!
Send your answers, with your name and contact details, to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @FanszoneT
So, United go again on Sunday with the Boxing Day clash against Yeovil Town followed by a trip on Tuesday to Eastleigh.
To those who wish it were Christmas every day have a wizzard time, stay safe - and get that booster jab.
A very Happy Christmas to all.
COYY
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