FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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TRULY AMAZING AS COMMUNITY SHARE PASSES £160,000
IT’S THE MAGIC OF THE FA CUP AS UNITED LOOK TO AVOID UPSET
DEANO, DEANO, DEANO 700 UP AND COUNTING
Over £160,000, yes you read that right. Our Community Share Issue, when adding on donations received through cheques, now totals a massive £160,000 and there are still two weeks left for the Yellow Army to invest. And board member Matt Gorman was able to update these figures in Boots & Laces on Tuesday night for a live recording of Torquay Talk.
The Chairmen’s Chat on the club’s official website last Friday spelt out how much that money is needed for not just helping the manager’s playing budget but also to go towards numerous infrastructure matters that need attention.
When you add in the £50,000 Forever Yellow fund, TUST will have handed the club over £210,000. What other non-league club, or many EFL sides, could match this fantastic response?
The 364 investors have shown how important it is for Torbay and South Devon to have a fully functioning professional football club at the heart of the community. And TUST membership has swelled to 1,083.
Dare we think we could reach our revised target of £250,000?
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The magic of the FA Cup is upon us and such is our lowly position in the football pyramid United enter the competition on Saturday in the 2nd Qualifying round. It wasn’t that many years ago that we eagerly awaited a First Round draw with a football league team, Derby County being the last.
Now, United’s opponent are Southern League Division One South side Bishops Cleeve who are billing Saturday’s fixture as the biggest in their history.
So, who are Bishops Cleeve? Famous for being the largest village in Europe, founded in 1905, The Mitres, have a chequered history playing in various Cheltenham leagues but in 1995 they were homeless as their Stoke Road ground was sold for housing.
During their years in the Hellenic League Premier they had various ground sharing agreements at several clubs including Forest Green.
Then in 1997 approval was given for a new site at Kayte Lane, where they now play. Volunteers and local businesses joined together to provide materials and labour to build a clubhouse and changing rooms. A new stand and floodlights were added in 2002-03 with the ground now the Everyone’s Energy Stadium.
The club’s manager, Paul Collicut, has been in charge for a total of 18 years in two spells. In his last stint he took the Mitres to the fourth qualifying round before going out 1-0 to Eastbourne Borough.
Collicut can’t wait for the weekend saying, “This is the biggest game in the club’s history, without a doubt. A little village club like ours hosting a former Football League club; it’s why the FA Cup is the best competition in the world.”
“It’s a game which means so much to the club and the village as a whole.”
Bishops Cleeve were in FA Trophy action last Saturday winning 2-0 at Willand Rovers with the goals from striker Jay Malshanksyj giving them an away tie at Melksham Town in the next round.
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700 up! Yes, an amazing 700 career appearances for Dean Moxey when he ran out in Torquay colours at Welling on Saturday. Unfortunately, this didn’t have a happy ending as the Gulls went down to a disappointing defeat despite having had the luxury of an overnight stay.
General opinion, backed up by video evidence, suggests what should have been the opening goal from Cody Cooke, was ruled incorrectly offside. Had that be given then maybe United would have remained unbeaten for a sixth consecutive match. And it’s scant consolation for the match referee to have apologised for dis-allowing what should have been a perfectly legal goal. Still, sitting in a play-off place is fine with plenty of the season ahead.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Oldham 5,622, Scunthorpe 4,432, Hartlepool 4,012, Sutton 2,758, Aldershot 2,565.
Ebbsfleet United, who just avoided relegation from the National League last season, and are rock bottom this, have parted company with their manager Danny Searle.
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Talking of managers do you have a view on whether the England football manager should sing the national anthem before matches? The weekend national newspapers were full of this story. Maybe the answer is a generation thing? Older fans might say he should while Generation Z say the opposite. In the end we all want an England side that is successful. You can voice your opinion to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
Many thanks to reader Teresa Chipperfield for sending me her Torquay memory which I’ll share in a future matchday programme. If you have a memory to share please send it in.
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Two other sides from the Torquay family were in action over the weekend. The Under-18s had a comfortable 2-0 home win over Wimborne Town thanks to goals from Stevie Cole and Andrew Ellis.
Torquay Women started their league campaign with a 3-3 draw at AEK-Boco with goals from Tracey Cross and Lucy Solloway (2).
The Paint Up Plainmoor working parties are now concentrating on the away turnstile/toilets area with new doors and fresh paint. Look out for painting dates and times.
COYY
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