TT PREVIEW

Amy discusses United’s first PSF opponents

LAST SEASON

The 2023/24 season saw us finish in sixth place, one spot outside of the play-offs. Promotion was our ambition last year and so it was disappointing that we narrowly finished outside of the chance to achieve this. However, upon reflection across the entire season – we probably didn’t deserve to be in the top 5 and in the play-offs. We had a turbulent start to the campaign, so were always playing catch up, so 6th place was probably an accurate reflection on where we should have ended up. As they say, the table never lies come the end of the campaign!

SUMMER BUSINESS

I think Dan (Hart) wouldn’t shy away from the fact that the summer has been difficult to navigate. Some clubs at our level are dishing out big sums of money, but at Buckland, we will always go about our business sustainably. As a result of this, we’ve lost a couple of our players to Cornish-side, St Austell and Cieran Bridger has seeked Southern League football with Bideford AFC. A few others have also moved on but you always get natural turnover each year. Cieran will remain signed for us on Western League forms, and we wish him the best at Step 4 level this year!

However, more positively, Dan has done some superb recruitment this summer, with accomplished striker, Ryan Richards joining the club from Torpoint Athletic and at the other end of the field, Adam Seedhouse-Evans joins us between the sticks from Bideford AFC. Ex-Exeter City Academy prospect, Rafael Beadman has also joined us as well as serving Marine, Frankie Jones who has moved to their area as part of his service. There are a few more new faces in the mix, but you’ll have to wait and see who they are!

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Head Coach, Dan Hart – Dan enters into his third season at the club now, after joining in the summer of 2022. He embodies everything that the club is; passionate, hard-working, tenacious and doesn’t shy from getting stuck in. He loves the game and in his own words, has found a home at Buckland Athletic.

Assistant Head Coach, Mark Blackwell – Mark joined Dan’s management team during the 2023/24 season after a flurry of “number 2” changes. Mark is a Sports Lecturer at the University of St Mark and St John (Marjons) and is a very tactical, analytical addition to the management team.

Assistant Head Coach, Todd Hanrahan – Todd arrived at Buckland with Hart in 2022 but had a short spell away still wishing to get playing minutes in at Ivybridge Town. He returned again last year and as a close-friend of Dan’s, provides that listening ear and words of encouragement when needed.

Assistant Head Coach, Shane Reavey – Shane has been involved at the club for many years now, previously as a player with our Reserve side and more latterly our Player Development Officer and Performance Analyst. Shane has coaching experience with the Irish FA, working with young international players and so conducts a lot of our analysis activity with our Veo.

Club Physiotherapist, Paige Burrows – Paige has also been with the club for nearly 10 years now, working alongside the squad and players as Club Physiotherapist. Without doubt the team’s 12th member who works her magic to keep the players fighting fit!

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES

We have already competed in our opening pre-season friendly, last week against Teignmouth AFC. We ran out 2-1 winners with last years’ League Golden Boot winner and previous TUFC player, Jared Lewington scoring both. Following our highly-anticipated fixture with TUFC, we host Plymouth Parkway at The VX3 Stadium on Friday 19th (7:30pm) and then we also have Yeovil Town visiting us on Tuesday 30th July (7pm) in a repeat of our friendly with them last campaign.

FANTASTIC CATERING!

Firstly, thank you! I’m sure the Homers Kitchen team will appreciate your kind words. As a club, we always say we want to be the best we can, in every aspect we operate in. Whether that be on the pitch, behind the bar and indeed, in the kitchen! This season, expect much of the same – lots of tasty offerings, Matchday specials and a few surprises in between!

LOOKING AHEAD TO 24/25

For the 2024/25 season, we will be competing in the Jewsons Western League Premier Division which is Step 5 in the non-league pyramid. This will be our 13th season in the league so maybe the 13th try will actually be the lucky one for us! The season kicks off on Saturday 27th July, where we get our campaign underway by hosting Welton Rovers (3pm). We’ve been in the same division for 13 years and we’re ready to get out of it. It’s worth noting, though that the Western League is a really competitive league and we often compare it to trying to get out the Championship, or the National League! It’s tough! However, the ambition this season remains the same – promotion. Of course, we’d love to win the league, but the play-offs would still keep that promotion dream alive, although it would just make those extra two games a bit nervy for all of us on the side-lines!

VISITING SUPPORTERS

I don’t think TUFC fans need me to tell them why they should be coming to watch on Friday! It’s the perfect culmination for all things Torquay. New owners, new manager in Paul Wotton, new squad, new (potentially controversial) away kit, first pre-season friendly of the season and we hope you all agree a wonderful place to come and visit in the form of the VX3 Stadium with in your own words ‘fantastic food options’!. We’re a friendly bunch and are really looking forward to building a close working relationship with The Bryn Consortium and the rest of Torquay United FC. Tickets are selling well and can still be purchased, here: https://ticketpass.org/event/EKCTMJ/buckland-athletic-fc-vs-torquay-united-fc-pre-season-friendly – see you there! From one Yellow Army, to another! #UpTheBucks