FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair and TUFC board member, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
************************
A RARE JAY SEEN AT PLAINMOOR AMONGST HERO AND VILLAIN
MEMORIES OF PETER ‘THE CAT’ BONETTI AS UNITED’S HOME RECORD FALLS
FANS ASKED TO CALL IT OUT
You might ask what has the Big Garden Birdwatch and the Beach Boys got to do with Torquay United’s first home defeat of the season? Yes, it was the annual weekend the RSPB asks us to list all the birds that come into our gardens but on Saturday, apart from a flock of Gulls, the only bird I could spot was a Jay.
What a coup to persuade Matt Jay and his family to return to Devon, after all it was only a few years ago he was the skipper at Exeter City firing in the goals. A subsequent move to Colchester maybe didn’t work out as hoped - it happens in football - but here he is at Plainmoor.
His signing, though, sends out a statement of intent that United are not planning to hang around in National South for any longer than can be helped.
*****
And how do the Beach Boys figure in all this? Their 1967 single Heroes & Villains made the UK Top Ten and one was reminded of this tune whilst watching Hampton’s on loan Chelsea keeper Max Merrick become the hero and villain of the afternoon.
Yes, goalkeepers are employed to save shots but it was the manner in which he stood firm all afternoon to defy United from scoring. He flew though the air catching, diving and tipping shots over and around his goal.
Had the match sponsors been allowed to pick a Man of the Match award from either side Merrick would have been the standout player. How many remember a Chelsea keeper who was nicknamed ‘The Cat’ for his astonishing reflexes and graceful agility?
Peter Bonetti was ‘The Cat’ playing 729 games for Chelsea in two spells, 1959 - 1975 and 1976 - 1979.
And why was Merrick hero and villain? Hero because of his performance but villain when in the second half and United clearly on top and threatening, Merrick suddenly collapsed not once but twice with a supposed groin strain to halt the game.
After receiving treatment he, within seconds, was able to launch the ball high and long using his ‘injured’ right leg. He received a chorus of boos for his antics but this, as Paul Wotton has told us on several occasions are the ‘dark arts’ creeping into football.
*****
It was, of course, ironic that on the day the unbeaten league run and fortress Plainmoor was breached that many of United’s main rivals also lost at home.
How does one explain how Chippenham hit four past Boreham Wood? With defeat for Maidstone but a win for Worthing and Maidstone drawing 0-0 at Chelmsford on Monday made the top five clubs in National South all on 52 points only separated by goal difference. But then came Tuesday night’s results with Worthing now the new leaders, the tenth side to lead the table, and United dropping to fifth after their match at Chippenham fell to the weather. National South is proving to be a crazy league.
*****
Despite Saturday’s frustrating loss fans left the ground not disheartened but still full of optimism. After all there are still 18 matches to go with key games against nearest rivals to come. Away at Maidstone on Saturday, Eastbourne Borough (Home February 8), Worthing away (February 11) and Boreham Wood (Home March 1). Surely this fixture must see a 5,000 plus crowd.
I keep writing this but it looks like the race for the one confirmed promotion place is going to run until the end of the season.
*****
And what about Saturday’s yet another fantastic attendance? Better than several clubs in League 2 and Burton in League 1. In fact 4,450 at Plainmoor was the highest in Saturday’s non-league football fixtures.
Non-League Crowd Watch: Torquay 4,450, Scunthorpe 3,627, Hartlepool 3,612, Dagenham & Redbridge 3,599, Dulwich Hamlet 3,334, Bury FC 3,127, Macclesfield 3,004, Maidstone 2,603.
*****
United’s Women’s match 2nd versus 3rd was called off very late on Sunday due to an accident on the M5 at Taunton. The visitors Forest Green’s coach was forced to turn around and go back home.
TUST’s Paint Up Plainmoor initiative has picked up since the turn of the new year with working parties redecorating the Gulls Nest.
*****
With such positivity around the club it is with huge regret that the club had to issue a statement on Monday about a small minority tarnishing the club’s reputation. Torquay is a family friendly club but after alleged homophobic comments directed at Saturday’s referee as the match officials left the pitch, the club is now being reported to the FA.
On behalf of TUST and all fans these incidents can mean financial sanctions and even the possibility of points deductions which could end promotion hopes.
United suffered points deductions last season which nearly resulted in relegation. This time around what if loss of points was the difference between being champions and in the play-offs?
Supporters can report anything they’ve seen or heard by emailing CallItOut@torquayunited.com.
Please don’t spoil the feel good factor at Plainmoor.
COYY
SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
Comentarios