Since your correspondent started reporting on Football, sustainability has been an topical issue at every level of the game.
The recent financial troubles involving National League sides Hartlepool United and Chester FC, which could see both clubs go into Administration or - worse still - potentially go out of business.
Hartlepool require £200,000 to avoid going into Administration, and have already seen one rescue bid collapse.
Meanwhile, Chester need to find £50,000 or face the threat of closure by the end of March and have told that they will have slash their wage bill for this season if they do survive.
Both side's respective plights could yet have an immediate on the National League survival hopes of Torquay United, which could vary depending on two possible outcomes; the two clubs receiving a ten-point penalty for entering Administration or seeing their league records for the present season expunged upon liquidation.
If Hartlepool were to receive a ten-point penalty, it would place them in the relegation zone whilst Chester FC would replace United as the league's bottom club.
The Gulls have had their own financial issues since their relegation from the Football League in 2014, which has seen subsequent takeovers from the David Phillips headed consortium in 2015 and by Gaming International and Clarke Osborne midway through the 2016-17 campaign.
Indeed United are the only one of three professional sides in Devon never to have entered Administration - Exeter City have on two occasions and Plymouth have just the once.
Their respective plights raise the question of sustainability of lower league football at League Two and National League level, especially in a league that often sees the Gulls travelling to far flung places such as Gateshead to play in front of three figure crowds.
Travelling long journeys isn't a concept lost on United, as their most 'local' fixture this season was against Eastleigh over the festive period, whose Silverlake Stadium is 132 miles away as the crow flies.
However, in League Two - the level where the Gulls last plied their trade in the 2013-14 season - solidarity payments from the Premier League and TV revenue from Sky go a long way to insulating its member clubs against the kind of financial troubles that many relegated from the Football League face.
A few years ago, it was announced that the average losses of clubs in League Two came to £500,000.
Whether more responsible financial management or greater hand outs from the Premier League are the answer is a debate that possesses the potential to rage on forever. After all there are several ways to run a football club ranging from private ownership to fan ownership.
Nevertheless, one thing is for sure, English football could be about to lose two clubs that have both made a small, but significant, impact on its history, as Hartlepool were the club where Brian Clough received his first break as a manager and Chester, in their previous guise of Chester City, handed Ian Rush his professional debut.
Monday, 29 January 2018
Thursday, 25 January 2018
SANCHEZ SET TO MAKE DEBUT VERSUS GLOVERS
After following the footsteps of Frank Stapleton and Robin Van Persie by moving from Arsenal to Manchester United, Alexi Sanchez is set to make his debut for the Red Devils against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup fourth round.
As the Chilean forward wasn't selected in the Gunners' third round exit at the hands of Nottingham Forest, so therefore United manager Jose Mourinho is free to select him in his actual line-up.
In addition to this, the match will also mark a milestone for Mourinho, who will be taking charge of the Red Devils for the 100th time and is set to name a strong side to line to take to the field at Huish Park.
Mourinho, who recently signed a new contract to stay at Old Trafford, has said that he will also rest a few players. However, he will no doubt be mindful of the Red Devils' defeat in the Quarter finals of the Carabao Cup to Bristol City who, of course, are managed by former Yeovil midfielder Lee Johnson and one-time teammate of current Glovers boss Darren Way.
One player who definitely be involved on the night is Yeovil winger, and lifelong United fan, Otis Khan who will be starting a five-match ban for a red card that received in the Glovers' recent defeat to Chesterfield.
It will also be the fourth time that the two sides have faced each other in the competition and the second meeting in the past three seasons, so it could either be a debut to remember for Sanchez or one to forget.
Manchester United have won all three of those previous encounters with a 13-0 aggregate, so if the Glovers - who are the lowest ranked side left in the competition this season - manage to score a goal it will be an important first for the club.
As the Chilean forward wasn't selected in the Gunners' third round exit at the hands of Nottingham Forest, so therefore United manager Jose Mourinho is free to select him in his actual line-up.
In addition to this, the match will also mark a milestone for Mourinho, who will be taking charge of the Red Devils for the 100th time and is set to name a strong side to line to take to the field at Huish Park.
Mourinho, who recently signed a new contract to stay at Old Trafford, has said that he will also rest a few players. However, he will no doubt be mindful of the Red Devils' defeat in the Quarter finals of the Carabao Cup to Bristol City who, of course, are managed by former Yeovil midfielder Lee Johnson and one-time teammate of current Glovers boss Darren Way.
One player who definitely be involved on the night is Yeovil winger, and lifelong United fan, Otis Khan who will be starting a five-match ban for a red card that received in the Glovers' recent defeat to Chesterfield.
It will also be the fourth time that the two sides have faced each other in the competition and the second meeting in the past three seasons, so it could either be a debut to remember for Sanchez or one to forget.
Manchester United have won all three of those previous encounters with a 13-0 aggregate, so if the Glovers - who are the lowest ranked side left in the competition this season - manage to score a goal it will be an important first for the club.
Sunday, 21 January 2018
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS
With speculation mounting about the future of Torquay United, given their precarious league position, chairman and owner Clarke Osborne issued a statement outlining his vision for the club.
Osborne, who is also chair of Swindon-based Gaming International, reiterated his plans to relocate the Gulls to a new stadium - with Nightingale Park in Barton believed to be his favoured location - and stated that the five-year plan he talked about when he completed his takeover of the club back in December 2016 is still on track.
In addition to this, Mr Osborne also stated that he also stated that Torbay deserves ' a successful football club, and one that is challenging back in the Football League.'
However, whilst many fans remain sceptical of his intentions your correspondent would regard these following questions as being particularly pertinent for Mr Osborne.
1. Which recent newly built football stadia have you visited as part of the research in building a new stadium?
2. Have you, or do you intend to, seek out advice from figures from other sports such as Tony Rowe of the Exeter Chiefs with regard to building any new stadia and developing associated income streams?
3. In your statement you talk about the new stadium having 'good road and rail communication'. Does this therefore mean that the proposed new train station at Edginswell Park is likely to happen if Nightingale Park is your preferred option, and is the overall stadium plan dependent on this happening?
4. When can we expect to see an artist's impression of the new site?
5. Finally, when you say your objectives remain the same in the event of relegation - does this mean that the club will stay full-time if relegated to National League South in order to challenge for immediate promotion back to the National League?
As his stadium plans are indeed intended to benefit Torbay and South Devon public as a whole, Mr Osborne shouldn't just be trying to sell his idea to Torquay United fans, but to the wider South Devon community too.
Osborne, who is also chair of Swindon-based Gaming International, reiterated his plans to relocate the Gulls to a new stadium - with Nightingale Park in Barton believed to be his favoured location - and stated that the five-year plan he talked about when he completed his takeover of the club back in December 2016 is still on track.
In addition to this, Mr Osborne also stated that he also stated that Torbay deserves ' a successful football club, and one that is challenging back in the Football League.'
However, whilst many fans remain sceptical of his intentions your correspondent would regard these following questions as being particularly pertinent for Mr Osborne.
1. Which recent newly built football stadia have you visited as part of the research in building a new stadium?
2. Have you, or do you intend to, seek out advice from figures from other sports such as Tony Rowe of the Exeter Chiefs with regard to building any new stadia and developing associated income streams?
3. In your statement you talk about the new stadium having 'good road and rail communication'. Does this therefore mean that the proposed new train station at Edginswell Park is likely to happen if Nightingale Park is your preferred option, and is the overall stadium plan dependent on this happening?
4. When can we expect to see an artist's impression of the new site?
5. Finally, when you say your objectives remain the same in the event of relegation - does this mean that the club will stay full-time if relegated to National League South in order to challenge for immediate promotion back to the National League?
As his stadium plans are indeed intended to benefit Torbay and South Devon public as a whole, Mr Osborne shouldn't just be trying to sell his idea to Torquay United fans, but to the wider South Devon community too.
Thursday, 18 January 2018
EDWARDS TO UNDERGO CANCER SURGERY
Plymouth Argyle defender Ryan Edwards is to undergo immediate surgery after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Liverpool-born Edwards, 24, joined the Pilgrims from League Two side Morecambe in the summer and formed a solid central defensive partnership with Sonny Bradley - making 30 appearances and scoring four goals, the fourth of which came in Argyle's 1-1 draw with Doncaster Rovers last Saturday.
A statement on the Pilgrims' website said: "Ryan will obviously miss a period of football because of surgery, but his physical health and mental well-being are our only priority."
In recent years a number of sportsmen have suffered from testicular cancer, including current Millwall manager Neil Harris and former Argyle keeper Romain Larrieu, which affects around 2,000 every year.
Larrieu himself was diagnosed with the condition in 2006 whilst at Home Park and suffered a recurrence of the condition a year-and-a-half later, but managed a successful recovery and would continue to play for Argyle until 2012.
The Frenchman also had the support of BBC Radio Devon presenter, and one-time Plymouth Argyle commentator Gordon Sparks, who himself suffered from the illness, and the pair later joined forces to help raise awareness of the condition.
He has already offered his support to Edwards, as have many others on social media using the #WithYouEddy hashtag on Twitter.
Liverpool-born Edwards, 24, joined the Pilgrims from League Two side Morecambe in the summer and formed a solid central defensive partnership with Sonny Bradley - making 30 appearances and scoring four goals, the fourth of which came in Argyle's 1-1 draw with Doncaster Rovers last Saturday.
A statement on the Pilgrims' website said: "Ryan will obviously miss a period of football because of surgery, but his physical health and mental well-being are our only priority."
In recent years a number of sportsmen have suffered from testicular cancer, including current Millwall manager Neil Harris and former Argyle keeper Romain Larrieu, which affects around 2,000 every year.
Larrieu himself was diagnosed with the condition in 2006 whilst at Home Park and suffered a recurrence of the condition a year-and-a-half later, but managed a successful recovery and would continue to play for Argyle until 2012.
The Frenchman also had the support of BBC Radio Devon presenter, and one-time Plymouth Argyle commentator Gordon Sparks, who himself suffered from the illness, and the pair later joined forces to help raise awareness of the condition.
He has already offered his support to Edwards, as have many others on social media using the #WithYouEddy hashtag on Twitter.
Monday, 15 January 2018
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
If someone asked yours truly to describe the biggest difference between Torquay United and Exeter City, the eventual answer may surprise you somewhat.
Could it be their respective league positions? Or maybe the big money transfers or the high profile Cup draws that the Grecians have enjoyed in recent seasons?
The answer is actually none of the above, but can be summed up in two words: Steve Perryman.
Since 2003, following his appointment as City's Director of Football - following their takeover by the club's Supporters Trust, Perryman has provided support to a succession of managers including the late Eamon Dolan, Alex Inglethorpe and present Grecians boss Paul Tisdale and, at the same time, shared his vast expertise with the club at boardroom level.
Until the end of the 2009-10 season, Torquay United also had such a person to go to for similar advice in Colin Lee, when the Gulls dispensed with his services as Chief Executive - a position that he held for three years.
Lee's own career had run parallel to that of Perryman's until that point in time; they had played together at Tottenham Hotspur in the 1970's; Perryman succeeded Lee as manager of Watford in 1990 and the pair both saved the Grecians and the Gulls from relegation from the Football League as caretaker managers in the 2000-01 season.
In the three years that Lee served as Chief Executive at Plainmoor between 2007 and 2010, after previously serving the Gulls as a fan, player, caretaker manager and Director of Football, United won promotion back to the Football League and retained their status in League Two.
Whilst much of this progress was funded by Paul Bristow and didn't come cheap, it was planned for and was part of Bristow's dream to help United reach League One.
However, whilst part of that part was sustained in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons which saw the Gulls reach the Play-offs under Paul Buckle and Martin Ling - the wheels soon began to fall off.
Not since the end of the 2011-12 campaign, when United finished fifth under Ling have they finished in the top half of any division that they have played in.
Also, had Lee been in situ in January 2013 when Ling fell ill, surely he would have been the ideal person to have stepped into the breach at that time.
During the Gulls' subsequent decline, Lee has been working for the Chelsea Foundation and heading the football department at South Dartmoor Community College.
He has always been ready to help out if asked and, even now in these difficult times, probably still would.
Could it be their respective league positions? Or maybe the big money transfers or the high profile Cup draws that the Grecians have enjoyed in recent seasons?
The answer is actually none of the above, but can be summed up in two words: Steve Perryman.
Since 2003, following his appointment as City's Director of Football - following their takeover by the club's Supporters Trust, Perryman has provided support to a succession of managers including the late Eamon Dolan, Alex Inglethorpe and present Grecians boss Paul Tisdale and, at the same time, shared his vast expertise with the club at boardroom level.
Until the end of the 2009-10 season, Torquay United also had such a person to go to for similar advice in Colin Lee, when the Gulls dispensed with his services as Chief Executive - a position that he held for three years.
Lee's own career had run parallel to that of Perryman's until that point in time; they had played together at Tottenham Hotspur in the 1970's; Perryman succeeded Lee as manager of Watford in 1990 and the pair both saved the Grecians and the Gulls from relegation from the Football League as caretaker managers in the 2000-01 season.
In the three years that Lee served as Chief Executive at Plainmoor between 2007 and 2010, after previously serving the Gulls as a fan, player, caretaker manager and Director of Football, United won promotion back to the Football League and retained their status in League Two.
Whilst much of this progress was funded by Paul Bristow and didn't come cheap, it was planned for and was part of Bristow's dream to help United reach League One.
However, whilst part of that part was sustained in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons which saw the Gulls reach the Play-offs under Paul Buckle and Martin Ling - the wheels soon began to fall off.
Not since the end of the 2011-12 campaign, when United finished fifth under Ling have they finished in the top half of any division that they have played in.
Also, had Lee been in situ in January 2013 when Ling fell ill, surely he would have been the ideal person to have stepped into the breach at that time.
During the Gulls' subsequent decline, Lee has been working for the Chelsea Foundation and heading the football department at South Dartmoor Community College.
He has always been ready to help out if asked and, even now in these difficult times, probably still would.
Sunday, 14 January 2018
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS EASTLEIGH
1. A big presence up front is still required.
Torquay United manager Gary Owers said spoken of his desire to sign a big centre forward to aid the Gulls cause, and United are still crying out for one. Rookie striker Alex Fletcher, currently on loan from Plymouth Argyle, gave an admirable account of himself as a lone striker against Eastleigh, but he still looked as though he needed a strike partner with a greater physical presence to play alongside him to get the best out of him.
Pilgrims' boss Derek Adams has announced this week that former Gulls striker Nathan Blissett is set to leave Home Park. However, despite speculation linking Blissett moves to Macclesfield Town and Wrexham, the former Kidderminster and Bristol Rovers frontman is still at Home Park - a return to Plainmoor for Blissett remains possible.
2. Luke Young is showing the way and the rest of the midfield need to follow.
Luke Young's 34th minute equaliser was his fourth goal of the current campaign, which makes him United's joint-second top scorer with Ruairi Keating. However, if the Gulls are going to mount a 'great escape' bid for the third successive season, Young's fellow midfield colleague Jake Gosling, who set up Young for long range strike, nearly found the target himself twice. His first chance came in the opening minute - 51 seconds to be precise - when he headed a Michee Efete cross over the bar; the second came on 51 minutes after he was set up by Young, but missed the target as his shot sailed wide. If Gosling and loan signings Tommy O'Sullivan and George Dowling, who already has one goal to his name already this season, can find the target then the goals will soon flow.
3. Situation vacant for new penalty taker?
After Jamie Reid missed from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, Owers has to decide whether to stick with Reid as his designated penalty taker or maybe hold a competition in training to find a new one.
4. Michee Efete can do an excellent job at right-back.
Although he was first brought to Plainmoor by caretaker manager Robbie Herrera as a centre back from Norwich City, Michee Efete produced an outstanding display at right-back against Eastleigh. With Jazzi Barnum-Bobb having returned to Newport County following his loan spell, and Ryan Higgins currently on compassionate leave, the only option that Owers has for the right-back position other than Efete is Aaron Barnes, who recently joined on loan from Charlton Athletic, and no doubt Efete, who will remain at Plainmoor until the end of the season, will provide him with plenty of competition.
5. Time is of the essence.
With 17 games left to play, Torquay United now need in the region of a minimum of 30 points to retain their National League status - which equates to the equivalent of ten wins.
Owers stated afterwards that he felt that the Gulls deserved at least a point against Eastleigh but draws will only help their situation so far, as the three points awarded for a win are now fast becoming a necessity.
Torquay United manager Gary Owers said spoken of his desire to sign a big centre forward to aid the Gulls cause, and United are still crying out for one. Rookie striker Alex Fletcher, currently on loan from Plymouth Argyle, gave an admirable account of himself as a lone striker against Eastleigh, but he still looked as though he needed a strike partner with a greater physical presence to play alongside him to get the best out of him.
Pilgrims' boss Derek Adams has announced this week that former Gulls striker Nathan Blissett is set to leave Home Park. However, despite speculation linking Blissett moves to Macclesfield Town and Wrexham, the former Kidderminster and Bristol Rovers frontman is still at Home Park - a return to Plainmoor for Blissett remains possible.
2. Luke Young is showing the way and the rest of the midfield need to follow.
Luke Young's 34th minute equaliser was his fourth goal of the current campaign, which makes him United's joint-second top scorer with Ruairi Keating. However, if the Gulls are going to mount a 'great escape' bid for the third successive season, Young's fellow midfield colleague Jake Gosling, who set up Young for long range strike, nearly found the target himself twice. His first chance came in the opening minute - 51 seconds to be precise - when he headed a Michee Efete cross over the bar; the second came on 51 minutes after he was set up by Young, but missed the target as his shot sailed wide. If Gosling and loan signings Tommy O'Sullivan and George Dowling, who already has one goal to his name already this season, can find the target then the goals will soon flow.
3. Situation vacant for new penalty taker?
After Jamie Reid missed from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, Owers has to decide whether to stick with Reid as his designated penalty taker or maybe hold a competition in training to find a new one.
4. Michee Efete can do an excellent job at right-back.
Although he was first brought to Plainmoor by caretaker manager Robbie Herrera as a centre back from Norwich City, Michee Efete produced an outstanding display at right-back against Eastleigh. With Jazzi Barnum-Bobb having returned to Newport County following his loan spell, and Ryan Higgins currently on compassionate leave, the only option that Owers has for the right-back position other than Efete is Aaron Barnes, who recently joined on loan from Charlton Athletic, and no doubt Efete, who will remain at Plainmoor until the end of the season, will provide him with plenty of competition.
5. Time is of the essence.
With 17 games left to play, Torquay United now need in the region of a minimum of 30 points to retain their National League status - which equates to the equivalent of ten wins.
Owers stated afterwards that he felt that the Gulls deserved at least a point against Eastleigh but draws will only help their situation so far, as the three points awarded for a win are now fast becoming a necessity.
Monday, 8 January 2018
GLOVERS DRAW MANCHESTER UNITED FOR A THIRD TIME
For the third time in their history, Yeovil Town will face Manchester United in the FA Cup after they were drawn at home to the Red Devils in the fourth round of the 2017-18 competition.
The most recent previous meeting between the two came in the 2014-15 campaign in the third round when the Red Devils - then managed by Louis Van Gaal - triumphed 2-0 with goals from Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria.
Their first encounter famously came in the fifth round in the 1948-49 season when the Glovers went down 8-0 in a tie that was played at Maine Road, as Old Trafford was still being repaired from Second World War bomb damage, after Yeovil pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of the competition in the previous round to defeat Sunderland.
It wouldn't be a great surprise if Glovers manager Darren Way, who was part of Gary Johnson's backroom staff in the 2014-15 meeting, gives current Bristol City boss and former Yeovil midfield colleague Lee Johnson a phone call in the next few days.
Johnson junior, of course, guided his Robins' side to victory over Jose Mourinho's United in the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup - which was arguably the shock result of the season so far.
He would probably also be willing to give him tips about what variety of wine to buy for his post match drink with the Portuguese too!
The most recent previous meeting between the two came in the 2014-15 campaign in the third round when the Red Devils - then managed by Louis Van Gaal - triumphed 2-0 with goals from Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria.
Their first encounter famously came in the fifth round in the 1948-49 season when the Glovers went down 8-0 in a tie that was played at Maine Road, as Old Trafford was still being repaired from Second World War bomb damage, after Yeovil pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of the competition in the previous round to defeat Sunderland.
It wouldn't be a great surprise if Glovers manager Darren Way, who was part of Gary Johnson's backroom staff in the 2014-15 meeting, gives current Bristol City boss and former Yeovil midfield colleague Lee Johnson a phone call in the next few days.
Johnson junior, of course, guided his Robins' side to victory over Jose Mourinho's United in the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup - which was arguably the shock result of the season so far.
He would probably also be willing to give him tips about what variety of wine to buy for his post match drink with the Portuguese too!
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