TUST
TUST FAN ZONE
IT MIGHT BE THE CRICKET SEASON BUT JIMMY CONTINUES TO BUILD HIS SQUAD
SEASON TICKETS FOREVER YELLOW LOTTO 1899 – YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU
UNITED A NATIONAL LEAGUE GALA AWARD WINNER AT CELTIC MANOR
Excitement is building. The football season may have ended last month and whilst attention might be diverted for some towards cricket – village, T20 or Test – and this may be the ‘close season’ nevertheless excitement is building.
The World Cup starting this week?
No, yes possibly for some, no I’m talking about Jimmy Ball’s exciting recruitment for a ‘third time lucky’ go at getting out of National South.
I realise I’m in a privileged position as a TUFC director but I am privy to hearing Jimmy explain first hand his recruitment process.
Whilst much of this is private, I can say that he has made exciting signings who will become fan favourites, a number of whom have played in the EFL and some who have chosen to come to Torquay despite offers from clubs higher up the pyramid.
All of us have been impressed with Jimmy’s assessment of positions which need strengthening, mainly in defence which last season conceded far too many goals.
Those of you who contacted me after last week’s column highlighted the need to improve the defence citing full-back positions and of course another goalkeeper.
Jimmy, with re-appointed Darren Way as his assistant, has carried out impressive due diligence involving talking to previous coaches, managers and other contacts about each individual player.
And crucially all the new signings – and there are others in the pipeline – are desperate to come to Plainmoor for one objective only – promotion.
Tyler Hill and Dom Bernard, signed for an undisclosed fee to Weston-super-Mare, pencilled in at left and right back, could they turn out to be the modern Gibbs and Gurney?
Sean Robertson will add pace and power to the attacking right side while striker Isaac Westendorf promises to be a handful up front. And retaining Cody Cooke gives the manager another alternative.
Numerous fans are still hoping ‘will he or won’t he’ Deon Moore stays a Gull but the signs are maybe we shouldn’t believe everything we read on social media.
And what do all these new players have in common?
They all want to play in a big stadium in front of upwards of 4,000 fans. Why? Because the Yellow Army’s support, home and away and reputation goes before it which is really important to a player who has ambitions.
On the back of these signings season ticket sales have been encouraging as they go past 1200. Last year 1601 were sold so we want to beat that total and get as close as possible to the magic 2000.
In addition, our Forever Yellow fund target of reaching £100,000 has gone past £78,000. Changing your current membership tier to silver, gold or platinum will make a difference and you can direct where you want your money to go. Further details at https://www.tust.co.uk/join.
With pre-season training starting at the end of the month, the Plainmoor pitch undergoing its summer transformation improvement excitement should be building.
But before that, are you in the draw for June’s 1899 Lotto on the 14th? Five money prizes including the top big one plus a TUST £50 club shop voucher, what’s not to like? Go to https://draw.ourclublotto.co.uk/tufc/.
On Saturday whilst two board members were representing TUST at the annual FSA AGM in London, I was one of three representing Torquay United at the National League AGM & Awards at Celtic Manor.
Having driven past the turning on the M4 for Celtic Manor I had never been to the venue and what an imposing, huge site. Some of you may well know its history and others, like myself, will not.
So, here’s a brief overview.
Situated in Newport Celtic Manor evolved from a humble 17 bedroom hotel in 1982 into what is now a world class 5-star resort.
It is known for hosting the 2010 Ryder Cup and the 2014 NATO Summit.
The original site was built in 1860 as a private residence for a Welsh coal millionaire. From 1940-1977 it was the Lydia Beynon Maternity Hospital. 1982, after falling into disrepair, Celtic Inns bought it, refurbished it turning it into a 17- bedroom hotel.
Between 1995 and 1999 it was transformed into a boutique hotel with the golf course opened followed by a luxury 330-bedroom resort.
The site now boasts the 19th century Manor house, modern lodges and championship golf course
On arrival, after parking in the underground car park and making your way to the Lobby, we were then transported by a shuttle minibus to the Club House, aside the golf course, where you registered and sat with club officials from the other 71 National League clubs for the AGM. With at least three from each club, more from some, especially award winners (more of that later) it was a packed room.
We listened to a number of reports from National League officials and more interestingly, talks from the Independent Football Regulator Richard Monks who outlined his background – “25 years as a regulator” – what he wants from Step 1 clubs and how those teams in Step 2 who may move up can prepare.
What we still don’t know are the financial commitments for each club.
We also heard from the PGMOL/FA about forthcoming rule changes which we will all see being implemented in the World Cup including the 5-second throw-in, 5-second goal kick and the 10-second substitution.
In more general terms referees are to be encouraged to penalise holding (particularly at corners), simulation and strangely hairpulling which amazingly is on the increase.
In other news, DAZN are to show more live matches including Friday nights; home teams will get £7.5k and away teams £2.5K and all TV matches up to the end of January 2027 will be published in July.
2026-27 fixtures will be published on Friday July 11th.
The 3UP Campaign continues but the EFL continues to drag its feet and it has not yet become an agenda item. I was left with the feeling that the National League can push as much as it likes but are EFL clubs going to vote for another relegation?
The evening was the Gala Awards hosted by Matt Smith, formerly fronting BT Sport’s coverage of the National League. It was a glittering occasion with a whole long list of awards including the National South Young Player of the Season for which Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was a nominee but was won by Worthing’s Brad Dolaghan.
We did, though, win an award the National South Programme of the Season and I was pleased to collect the trophy on behalf of the club along with Brackley Town (National League) and Curzon Ashton (National North).
Sitting on a table along with club officials from Harrogate and Yeovil we had to endure ‘highlights’ from the National South Final and a table’s worth of officials/manager/players from H****church collecting their trophy.
Anyway, it’s onwards and upwards and before we know it, it’ll be pre-season and a first look at Jimmy’s new look squad. Bring it on.
There’s still time to take advantage of the Early Bird season ticket prices. Fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
COYY
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COYY – NICK
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