Gulls get to grips with stewarding

TORQUAY United are working towards taking Plainmoor's match-day stewarding operation back 'in-house'.

The news will cheer the section of Gulls fans who have had a tense relationship with the Plymouth-based firm of stewards who have patrolled Plainmoor for the last five years.

United are inviting prospective stewards, with the right qualifications, to a meeting in the Gulls' Nest this Saturday (10am).

More locally-based stewards were drafted in for matches last season.

A club spokesman said: "We would like to think the stewarding will be run in-house in the foreseeable future.

"That's the way we are hoping to go.

"The (Torbay) Council are in support, and they are working with us.

"There are quite a few people locally who do have the relevant qualifications to act as stewards, and we hope enough of them come forward."

It was after winning promotion in 2004 that United's stewarding operation at the time proved inadequate to meet ground licensing requirements, because of the club's increased attendances.

Then-chairman Mike Bateson called in the same firm which handled Plymouth Argyle's match-day security.

Relations between the stewards and some Gulls supporters have seldom been easy since then, and sometimes have become openly hostile.

Further details of the latest initiative, and Saturday's meeting, are available from United's Stadium Manager Rob Stanley on 01803 328666.

Elsewhere in League Two, there's no lack of activity at Notts County.

The 147-year-old club's Supporters' Trust has voted to hand over its controlling 60 per cent shareholding to Middle East consortium Munto Finance — and write off its loans to the Magpies.

A takeover is expected to be completed within the next fortnight.

County manager Ian McFarland has also completed his third signing of the summer — ex-Hartlepool and Doncaster defender Graeme Lee, 31,from division rivals Bradford City.

Nobody has been busier in recent weeks than Hereford boss John Trewick.

Trewick has now signed former Torquay striker Leon Constantine from Northampton on a one-year deal, as well as paying an undisclosed fee for Shrewsbury winger Marc Pugh.