Torquay United Fans Forum

Another cheery and enthusiastic podcast which I would highly recommend.

However, after last week's clanger when you said that Paul Cox was Barrow's manager, I was surprised to hear your comment that you knew nothing about Maidenhead's manager, Alan Devonshire. Is that the former England international and FA Cup winner Alan Devonshire? Being born after Devonshire's success is a lame excuse because wikipedia is available, if you do your homework

Keep up the good work.

3-0 victory. A bit worried about Grant Holt at corners but all should be fine.

Very sorry to hear Gilbert as we know him has retired. He seemed fed up of the media department needing approval of photos etc. It does seem to be too much red tape for a Gull to cope with. However, they are probably not being too annoying on purpose because nowadays schools also have to jump through hoops to get photos published because some parents don't want their kids on social media. Also there is often some other problem and a carer for the child does not approve. Therefore, I hope Gilbert as we have known him for the last few years who also has a nickname of Steve, reconsiders if he has the time and patience to continue.
After all I am still waiting for 3/3 on the cross bar challenge.

You can watch the Reid goal on YOUTUBE and is onside so no debate there. The ' linesperson' put up the flag early for Keating. A simple error nothing more or less. However, what was interesting to me is that the the United players as a group did not complain or put their hands up in anger. Therefore, the referee was under no real pressure to change his mind or consult with the linesperson as an excuse to change the decision.

You can buy all that on e-bay.

As we have had almost 30 players appearing this season it might be time to find out what some of them are up to. For instance, seeing Chinua Cole on Twitter I remember he did fine for us, is still getting credit in the local London papers but played last Saturday in front of a crowd of 107.
You never seem to mention the legend that is Rory Fallon but surely it is time to do a tasting session of The Cowlick Creamery. Is it a great loss to football and at best a draw for ice-cream?

I reckon Sean McGinty will be sold and this is his replacement. The owners are rightly or wrongly paying out a lot of money (Kev is still picking up his wages apparently) so are likely to be keen on picking up a fee and of course every player wants to better themselves in a higher league or more likely having an improved wage.

Gilbert is a large seagull who nests during the week and appears as if by magic at Plainmoor on match days. Great at posing for selfies with the kids and even a few excitable adults. He often sits with the locals in the family stand which looks hilarious and occasionally nicks the chips off a toddler or at least pretends to, much to the delight of the fan. At half-time he wonders on to the pitch for the 'hit the cross bar competition' and if given the chance has a go himself.
A good mascot, always in character especially when it comes to promoting the excellent supporters club, which now has over 300 members and arranges kids parties,meet the players, birthday cards etc.
Gilbert is a credit to the club and a delightful presence for the younger fans.

A sad loss. By chance he is currently one of the running themes of one of the TUFC podcasts (National Obsession) which was a sign he was still remembered fondly. RIP

As these are desperate times I am going to rely on a lucky omen. When we beat Ebbslfleet away John Cadigan was doing the co-commentry for BBC Radio Devon and he returns tonight. Right, off to find a four leaf clover and then explain later to the kids why the pet rabbit has lost a foot.

Perhaps you have done a 1 minute podcast saying why you could not do a podcast this week or even mentioned it here. My money is on one of you going to Ibiza or a gaming conference.

A top player for us and his family are still around the area as he was born in Kingsbridge.

Fans home and away might be interested to know that there are now 3 podcasts they are devoted to the Gulls and can be downloaded from iTunes, soundcloud etc on to a phone/computer.

The National Obsession
A look at the national league by Gulls fan Charlie Baker who is a little bit famous as a comedian while his co-presenter/straight man is John Cadigan. The latter provided decent analysis for BBC Radio Devon in the game against Ebbsfleet but is so softly spoken that someone on these message boards thought he was called Joan. There is a Torquay Corner where they lament the plight of United and make hopeful comments. The rest of the time they poke fun at other clubs in the league and tend to be described with a reference to which Torquay players have turned out for them, which makes it even better. Baker used to live in Newton Abbott and has followed us for 30 years while Londoner Cadigan has been a fan for 20 years. I like to think the latter might be a product of the Soccer AM recruitment scheme where infamously hoards of young lads had a crush on Helen Chamberlain and adopted Torquay as their second team. They again his Gran lives in Brixham.
It is a little bit more professional than most podcasts with a few jingles and a recording of the chants from the popside. Excellent entertainment.

Talking Torquay
Ryan Darby and Stephen Dixon are the relatively youthful local fans hosting this podcast which is much more into social media. You can ask questions via facebook/twitter and they are the only ones to mention the game Football Manager. They have the occasional phone interview with the likes of Jim Proudfoot and Martin Gritton, which presumably will also help Darby in his journalism studies at Plymouth University. Actually, Gritton revealed that Leroy allowed David Graham to carry on his cigarette habit because he was so outstanding on the pitch. It is obvious they read the forums and often discuss matters concerning other supporters. The only drawback I noticed was when one of them spoke seriously about an away game only to reveal his knowledge was limited to the official TUFC twitter stream. At least pretend to listen to the radio coverage.
They are very good and deserving of a B+.

Torquay United Yellow Army
This is the long running podcast from the local paper Herald Express. The 3 regulars are Dave Thomas, Guy Henderson and Richard Hughes. A nice, cosy chat that is only slightly more insightful than what you read in the Herald. They have to deal on a weekly basis with the manager at the press conference so Nicho was never publically doubted. While the other podcasts have echoed the reasons why the Plainmoor freehold should not be sold until another stadium is built their silence on the matter is deafening.
Dave Thomas has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of lower league footballers so makes a lot of sense. It is difficult for them to mention any player without a nostalgic tale or two about ex players Steve Cooper, Mark Loran or Alex Russell. Guy and Richard add authentic fan views and are naturally wildly optimistic about our chances in every game. It is worth listening out for when they add a work experience lad to the podcast, they habitually introduce the nervous helper and then proceed to ask him barely any questions before thanking him for his initial contribution, which is usually a confession that he supports another team.
A gentle but informative podcast. Put your slippers on, have a bovril and enjoy a pleasant chat about Torquay.

I have to say that everything I have read about the manager has been very positive, while his assistant has loads of coaching ability. Both their comments at the press conference and Gary's on the Herald's podcast sound good.

Their remit as Gary commented on the podcast is clearly to make us better, develop young players and sell them on.

Finally, an experienced management team and in the next ten games I think we will actually win a game or two. An excellent new team.

I presume it has all slowed down due to money. Nicho is still collecting his wages until his contract runs out so the budget for the manager is obviously not enough to attract anyone decent.

There is no need to even think about a boycott of spectators because it has already started. Hundreds went missing last Saturday and the attendance is unlikely to get better in the short-term.

Cross your fingers and be patient.