FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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WOTTON’S NOT HAPPY AS UNITED TUMBLE OUT OF FA CUP TO VILLAGE SIDE
TUST’S COMMUNITY SHARE ISSUE HITS £160,000 WITH 7 DAYS LEFT
AND WHAT’S GOING ON AT SWINDON SPEEDWAY WITH GI?
FA Cup run? It wasn’t even a jog. United capitulated in a worrying fashion in what turned out to be a carnival atmosphere in the middle of Gloucestershire as village side - reputably the largest in Europe or if not certainly in the UK - Bishops Cleeve pulled off the shock of the round. Even the Non-League Paper had the story as their front page headline.
Seems Torquay and the FA Cup are not a good combination, as manager Paul Wotton admitted in the build-up to the match that he has a poor relationship with the cup and Saturday’s defeat created an unwanted stat: it was exactly 100 years ago when a Torquay side last exited the FA Cup before the 3rd Qualifying Round. They were beaten 2-1 in 1924-25 season by Taunton & Newtons United.
Saturday was an abject performance on a 3G pitch that United’s professionals failed to get to grips with. Arriving late in Plymouth Argyle’s branded coach due to heavy traffic was not the best of preparations but with the home side cheered on by a noisy crowd it was always going to be a difficult afternoon.
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Anyway, it’s hats off to the Mitres for a deserved 3-0 victory which quite easily could and should have been higher. Their reward, not just the £3,750 winning money, is another home tie, this time with Chesham United being the visitors.
As one of two visiting directors I have to say the hospitality and welcome were top class although it was tough having to congratulate the Bishops’ chairman after the game but the better side won and all the home officials, players and supporters enjoyed their day in the sun.
With additional food and drink outlets, souvenir programmes at £5 each plus a bumper attendance it was a rewarding afternoon in every sense for a club two divisions below the Gulls.
Final words go to Ed Palmer who posted on Sunday on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Can only apologise for yesterday, that one hurt. Team and individually nowhere near good enough, an unacceptable performance which the club and fans deserve better. We will work hard to put it right this week in training and big performance needed Saturday.’
Ins and outs this week: Will Jenkins Davies has returned for another loan three month spell from Plymouth while Austen Booth has left.
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It’s billed as the sporting trial of the century. On Monday Manchester City were finally brought before an independent panel to contest the 115 charges filed against them. The charges go back to 2009 and the hearing is expected to last at least two months with a range of sanctions available if required.
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Investors continue to buy shares in TUST’s Community Share Issue with the latest total up to £160,781 with a total of 384 pledging vital funds. When you add in offline contributions of £8,750 the overall total is an amazing £169,531. Just 7 days left to invest.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Southend 7,179, York City 5,038, Yeovil 2,838, Rochdale 2,614.
United Women’s first home league game saw them run out 7-0 winners over luckless Frampton Rangers Ladies with striker Lucy Solloway grabbing a hat-trick. Other scorers were Tee Kaptein (2), Tracey Cross and Lexie Watts.
On Monday evening the Under-18s were in FA Youth Cup action with a 2-0 win over Saltash United.
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It was back in the 2018-19 season when United were in National South for the first time that TUST and TUCST (the Community Sports Trust) ran Fan Zones on the green outside Boots & Laces proving to be a popular entertainment before matches. Having them was weather dependant and were occasional events but came to an abrupt halt by the previous regime. There are now talks taking place to see if they can be re-started.
Fan Zones have proved to be well attended at many clubs and the ideal would be to have a permanent covered area that can be used all year round as Exeter City have recently added to St. James Park.
Would you like to see the return of a fan zone? Do you have any suggestions about what it should offer? Send me your thoughts to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
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This Saturday it’s a return to league action with the visit of St. Albans City but let’s not be fooled by the fact they are currently bottom. Last time around they ran out 4-0 winners at Plainmoor but after that disastrous FA Cup humiliation Paul Wotton’s side need to regain the trust of the Yellow Army with an attacking and entertaining afternoon.
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The front of the stadium has had a transformation with its entire length repainted thanks to O’Neil Holman and Valspar Trade paint.
Finally, the Swindon Speedway Fans action group are asking for signatures for an ePetition to force Gaming International (remember them?) to complete all necessary work to ensure speedway can return to the Abbey Stadium. Go to: ePetition - Swindon Needs Speedway
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