TUST
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JIMMY HAS SIGNED REALLY WELL, TORQUAY WILL BE TITLE RIVALS – MARC WHITE
WANNELL SEES RED TWICE AS UNITED UNBEATEN IN SUPER SEPTEMBER
GOFUNDME HITS 20K FOR ROXY AND CAN YOU HELP READ EASY?
After that miserable defeat at Farnham on the last day of August, the club billed this as Super September and lo and behold three matches later United are unbeaten: two wins, a draw with nine goals scored and four against.
Those three games have seen United pick up eleven yellow cards which on Saturday saw Jake Wannell collect his fifth and a suspension.
But then Wannell was involved in two red cards in successive matches. The first an erroneous one at Maidenhead in mid-week followed by a second yellow against Dorking.
Which brings us to National South refereeing standards.
Sitting with Maidenhead officials before the match we were comparing notes about the (low) standard of officials this season.
They were bemoaning the referee in their previous home game but little did they know that worse was to become as their team went down to nine early in the second half.
Whilst the first red was clear cut that a number of United players surrounded Mr Hursey, as teams in the past have done to us, no doubt helped with his decision.
The second dismissal was debatable, a second yellow looked soft.
But Mr Hursey excelled himself in the first half when bizarrely he brandished a straight red to Wannell.
Oops, as the assessor explained to me, he had put the red card he had used earlier back into his wrong pocket!
He had placed the red along with his yellow!
On Saturday Mr Hurn obviously took exception to something Wannell said giving him a second yellow. From a distance this looked like a needless reduction with United down to ten.
Back to Tuesday, Jimmy Ball’s pre-match plan was to play uphill first half then bring on two wingers for going down the slope.
Little did he know that the sending offs would play into United’s hands. 4-0 could easily have been more.
That takes us into Saturday and with Torquay’s recent history of playing Dorking at Plainmoor the omens were this was going to be another roller-coaster.
So it proved to be.
That Torquay didn’t go into the break at least three goals to the good baffles everyone including Ball.
In the end it was a point apiece and 3,708 went home entertained but rueing those missed chances.
Dorking boss Marc White, love him or loathe him, had this to say afterwards, “This is a very difficult place to come. It’s fast becoming one of my favourite places.”
He went on, “Jimmy has signed really well. That Torquay team is going to grow positive arms and legs, they are going to be title rivals. Jimmy has recruited well. He’s moved boys on that I don’t think were the right people for him and the club.”
You can watch the interview at youtube.com/watch?v=JPY-16JuPIA.
Non-League Crowd Watch: Carlisle 7,126, Hereford 3,715, Torquay 3,708, Bury FC 3,471, Kidderminster 3,143, Yeovil 2,792.
Two ex-United managers are enjoying their team’s starts to the new season. Aaron Downes sees his Hereford side top of National North while Paul Wotton’s Kidderminster sit in a play-off place.
Having witnessed the impact of two Plymouth loanees Tegan Finn and Caleb Roberts United’s Women’s manager Ryan Perks swooped to sign Imy Crawford and Katie Dickson from Plymouth in time for yesterday’s return to league action.
United came away from Keynsham Town with a 3-1 victory.
This Sunday, September 20th it’s a return to Plainmoor with Maidenhead the visitors.
United defender Roxy Thomas remains poorly in hospital as doctors continue to monitor her condition with more tests.
Meanwhile her GoFundMe has reached £20,548 with the top donation, £1,250, coming from the Plymouth Argyle first team.
Next up for the men it’s FA Cup Saturday at Plainmoor – and please the start of a cup run!
Visitors AFC Stoneham based in Eastleigh are currently members of the Isthmian League South Central Division where they sit second bottom with nil points but from only two matches. They have a home fixture tomorrow (Tuesday) hosting Ashford Town.
On Saturday they went down 0-4 at home to Didcot in the FA Trophy. Player/Coach Jake Thompson once of Southampton, Bournemouth, Forest Green, Torquay United (15 loan appearances 2009-10), Exeter City and Newport County. He has also represented Trinidad & Tobago.
Established in 1919 by demobilised Royal Engineers they have worked their way up through the leagues starting in the Southampton Junior League.
The club surely must figure in sports quizzes, how many names have they played under and at how many grounds? Answer five.
Royal Engineers, Southampton Civil Service FC, in 1960 Ordnance Survey, 2006 Stoneham in the Wessex League and then AFC Stoneham in 2007 as members of the new Hampshire Premier.
Their current home, moving in 2019, is the Stoneham Football Complex.
Last season they won four competitions: Wessex League Premier Champions, the FA Vase at Wembley beating Cockfosters on penalties, the Southampton Senior Cup and the Russell Cotes Cup.
We’ve also got the results of our first Forever Yellow monthly member votes for August. Congratulations to Jake Wannell, who was the resounding choice for Men’s Player of the Month with 71% of the vote, while Beth Everson took the Women’s award with 70%. Connie Pengelly wins our first Goal of the Month award, receiving 40% of the vote for her effort against Ascot United, narrowly ahead of Matt Jay’s winner at Tonbridge Angels on 35%. Connie’s winning strike can be seen here Connie Pengelly vs Ascot United 23rd August 2026
Winning Members who entered the draw to present the awards will be contacted early this week, with presentations planned ahead of both matches at Plainmoor next weekend.
Over the past few weeks, TUST has also been taking supporters Inside: Forever Yellow on the club website, with a new series looking a little deeper at the scheme and the people who are getting behind it.
So far we’ve looked at what Forever Yellow is and where it’s taking us https://torquayunited.com/inside-forever-yellow/, heard from three members — Michael Tobin, Kirsty Jarvis and Jonny Jones — about why they chose to get involved https://torquayunited.com/inside-forever-yellow-why-we-joined/, and most recently taken a closer look at what members actually get, from ticket priority and discounts to voting rights and exclusive events and experiences https://torquayunited.com/inside-forever-yellow-what-do-members-get/.
If you’ve missed any of the series so far, they’re well worth a read — and there’s plenty more to come as we continue our push towards that £100,000 target. We’re currently at £87,000 and edging ever closer, every upgrade could make a big difference, so if you haven’t upgraded yet please do consider it and follow the link here Existing Members – Amend your tier | TUST
Members will be familiar with local charity Read Easy who are featured here from time to time and here is their latest news update.
Many thanks to Torquay United supporters for spreading the word about Read Easy Torbay & South Devon and reaching out to adults who are struggling to read. Around 1 in 14 adults can’t read at all, even more are hesitant readers. They may have hidden this out of embarrassment. That is such a pity because we can find them a coach who will work with them locally, confidentially, free of charge and without judgement for as long as it takes until they feel confident at reading. If you know of someone who you think may be struggling to read, or who may be dyslexic please do mention us to them or email us and we can chat to them, no obligation! Our details are phone 07593 223600 or email torbaysupporter@readeasy.org.uk
We have our fingers crossed for a couple of awards locally to recognise the amazing work which our volunteers do. Look out for us at the Torbay Awards and also the Stars of Teignbridge in October.
We are always keen to hear from potential volunteers: we are a supportive team and get great satisfaction from helping adults learn to read, even if indirectly. We often have management team roles free, such as someone who is happy to network and knows the area well, or a treasurer, or someone who can find new venues for us to work out of. Maybe you have creative writing skills to liven up our press releases? We can be flexible to find a role which suits you. If you are interested in finding out more please email Anne to arrange a chat at torbayleader@readeasy.org.uk
There’s still time to be in the 1899 Lotto draw at 7pm tonight if you haven’t got a ticket. Go to https://draw.ourclublotto.co.uk/tufc/. You can message me at fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
COYY
JOIN HERE – http://www.tust.co.uk/join
COYY – NICK
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