Torquay United Fans Forum

I fully agree with the sentiments of CP/SG ,i put it in my O/P about if Zebs was found guilty the club would have to been seen to act in a responsible way,and touched on him being moved out of the club as one opition open to the club,asking the question could the club afford to do that,if it came to it,the answer in my view is.NO.

Football players are no different to anyone one else,they are only human and will make mistakes in there personal lives same as all of us will from time to time,the difference is Chris Zebroski is very much in the public eye,and Tufc is a professional sports club right at the heart of the local community,because of this players,coaching staff etc,have extra responsibity and pressure on them to be seen living there lives the right way.hardly seems fair that if you or i step over the line no one cares,Zebs does it makes the front page of the local rag that is widley availible across south devon,and is like all local rags monitered by national papers/media,however when your in the public thats the way it is.

the club sposors or potential new sponsors are not the only consideration here,the club has done through the football in the community programme some fantastic work with local schools,pioneer league clubs,and children in general with there after school and holiday clubs.

We are already seeing numbers of children inside plainmoor on the rise,and around the bay and surrounding areas,the number of children out with replica Tufc shirts on is growing,children look up to the likes of Chris Zebroski the way he plays on the pitch and behaves in general kids will copy,Zebs has produced some first class displays this season,and it that you want the kids copying.

And because if this and other reasons the club can not just look at this with relief that he has a C/S order rather than prison,it realy does have to be seen to act,that said iam not suggesting in any way he should be sacked,or transfered out,what i am suggesting is get the Walsall match out of the way,then sit down with Zebs,issue a warning on his future conduct.maybe suggest that he puts some of his own time into helping our cetre of exellence kids or get involved with the football in the community programme.

Do this before monday morning,then the player the club and us fans can put this to bed on move on.

Agreed, Chris. Along with what you've stated is the need for the Club to prove themselves a Club with the interests of the community at heart. A reputable business can't be seen to take no action against the player if they're looking for money through commercial avenues.

I would expect him to be fined two weeks wages and warned as to his future conduct while a TUFC player.

That said, he's one of my favourite players, in good form and is sorely needed in our starting eleven, so swift action from the Board and he's allowed to move on.

gullinhert wrote:I am amazed by some peoples attitude on here; we all know what that area is like at night time ; a virtual no police go area and its inevitable that most nights someone will suffer being there. The fact that the 'victim' was having a go at Guy and Chris stepped in and all he got was a bit of a thumping is hardly amazing; weve all seen what the police have to do to some idiots to restrain them at all.
Chris has pleaded guilty and been given a suitable punishment. Pleading guilty was the right thing to do in that he did hit and hurt the lunatic. At that point the story ends; why some poeple should now wish retribution from TUFC amazes me. Chris trains well and behaves like a model professional. He is outstanding on the football field under intense pressure and often goaded by opposition and 'fans' alike.
This should be accepted and let the guy move on ..........................

Hang on a minute, what do you mean by "I am amazed by some peoples attitude on here" as I cannot see anywhere that anyone is suggesting for one moment that Zebs should be sacked over this issue ... I am merely suggesting that a criminal conviction is sufficient for an employer to take such action. Personally I really hope that the club doesn't go down that road - but you would be foolish to think that that isn't an option open to them! Clearly the quotes attributed to Simon Baker in today's Herald confirm that the club is far from happy about this matter and are considering what action (if any) to take against the player. Hopefully a stern warning and we can move on, but it would be wrong on the part of the club if they were to dismiss it completely as something of nothing - the fact is that one of their employees is guilty of a violent assault (no matter the provocation) and they have to act appropriately.

ferrarilover wrote: I'm not absolutely certain this is strictly correct.

Matt.

Sorry Matt, but I think you will find that this was the case.

On a pre season tour of Austria, the story goes that Paul Wotton (captain of PAFC at the time) was "winding Zebs up". Zebs took offence to the micky taking and wrapped a glass pitcher over Wotton's head. The local police decided not to take criminal proceedings - deciding that it was best left to the UK authorities to take any action that was deemed appropriate.

On the return from Austria, no criminal proceedings were pursued, but Zebs was sacked by PAFC. Like I say, by all accounts he was heavily provoked by Wotton, who as captain should have known better than to take the pee out of a young pro, but those are the facts as I understand it.

I am amazed by some peoples attitude on here; we all know what that area is like at night time ; a virtual no police go area and its inevitable that most nights someone will suffer being there. The fact that the 'victim' was having a go at Guy and Chris stepped in and all he got was a bit of a thumping is hardly amazing; weve all seen what the police have to do to some idiots to restrain them at all.
Chris has pleaded guilty and been given a suitable punishment. Pleading guilty was the right thing to do in that he did hit and hurt the lunatic. At that point the story ends; why some poeple should now wish retribution from TUFC amazes me. Chris trains well and behaves like a model professional. He is outstanding on the football field under intense pressure and often goaded by opposition and 'fans' alike.
This should be accepted and let the guy move on ..........................

CP Gull wrote:It's all in the Herald today:

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/ ... ticle.html

Zebs pleaded guilty to the assault which rather flies in the face of the statement put out a few days back by Simon Baker about him being "innocent until proven guilty"!

It appears that there were some mitigating circumstances and that he only got involved by sticking up for a mate (Branno of all people - was that really necessary?) but has then clearly gone over the top in his reaction.

From the playing side of things it's clear that the Club (i.e. the Board) are taking the matter seriously and I suppose a criminal convinction would probably be grounds for dismissal and certainly if he was an underperforming and overpaid player who the club wanted rid of then I'm sure they have sufficient grounds to sack him if they wanted to! That said he is such a hard working and valuable member of the squad that such action would not do the player or the club any favours. The fact that he has given up drinking and is taking advice/counselling from the PFA should all count in his favour. Clearly the fact that he has avoided a prison sentence and will just have to knuckle down and do his community service will count in his favour when the club decides what they are going to do about this. But that said for a "family" club that prides itself on its professionalism these days this is precisely the sort of headlines that they would want to avoid.

Personally, I hope the club leave it at that - hopefully the player has learned his lesson, but given his history (he was remember sacked by Argyle for a similar indiscretion, albeit provoked into it) I doubt he would be given another chance by the club should he ever transgress again!

I'm not absolutely certain this is strictly correct.

Matt.

Kit_robin wrote: I presume Nick was asking as Zebroski had a court date yesterday. on front page of herald today saying he has admitted assault, been ordered to complete 150 hours community service and attend an alcohol rehab programme.

Apparently he stepped in to defend branston (!), and the 'victim' had to be removed from hospital the next day for aggressive behavior.

Indeed I was, kit_robin.

Cheers for clearing that up

We can't afford to cut our nose off to spite our face on this one. Simon Baker is obviously angry as this time last week he said Zebs was pleading not guilty. But there is absolutely no way we will release him from his contract. He is (or was*) one of our most saleable assets, cost us £25,000 and has been our best player this season. All we can do his slap his wrists, fine him a couple of weeks wages and warn him that he will be sacked should he cross the line again. I'm not condoning Zebroski's actions. To punch and then kick/knee someone when they're on the ground is a cowardly act. But he's been punished by the courts and now we must move on.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, I can't see Buckle not picking Zebs. If anything his head should be cleared with the weight of not knowing his punishment lifted off his shoulders. This whole saga hasn't affected his performances to date, so I don't see why he shouldn't play. Financially, it's out most important game of the season. Lining up against Walsall without Benyon and Zebs would seriously hampen our chances of a potential money-spinning tie against one of the big boys.

My biggest concern is the 150 hours of community service. Will this mean him missing training/matches or are they flexible with the times he will have to work?

* And as selfish, inconsiderate and mistimed as this may be, one positive is that this news will probably warn off any potential suitors who have been tracking Zebroski's excellent form this season.

It's all in the Herald today:

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/ ... ticle.html

Zebs pleaded guilty to the assault which rather flies in the face of the statement put out a few days back by Simon Baker about him being "innocent until proven guilty"!

It appears that there were some mitigating circumstances and that he only got involved by sticking up for a mate (Branno of all people - was that really necessary?) but has then clearly gone over the top in his reaction.

From the playing side of things it's clear that the Club (i.e. the Board) are taking the matter seriously and I suppose a criminal convinction would probably be grounds for dismissal and certainly if he was an underperforming and overpaid player who the club wanted rid of then I'm sure they have sufficient grounds to sack him if they wanted to! That said he is such a hard working and valuable member of the squad that such action would not do the player or the club any favours. The fact that he has given up drinking and is taking advice/counselling from the PFA should all count in his favour. Clearly the fact that he has avoided a prison sentence and will just have to knuckle down and do his community service will count in his favour when the club decides what they are going to do about this. But that said for a "family" club that prides itself on its professionalism these days this is precisely the sort of headlines that they would want to avoid.

Personally, I hope the club leave it at that - hopefully the player has learned his lesson, but given his history (he was remember sacked by Argyle for a similar indiscretion, albeit provoked into it) I doubt he would be given another chance by the club should he ever transgress again!

Fletch wrote: Nick. It take a long time for the wheels of justice to start moving. 6 to 12 months after charging seems commonplace and there are certainly examples of longer than that (even in the Herald) so I wouldnt hold your breath...

I presume Nick was asking as Zebroski had a court date yesterday. on front page of herald today saying he has admitted assault, been ordered to complete 150 hours community service and attend an alcohol rehab programme.

Apparently he stepped in to defend branston (!), and the 'victim' had to be removed from hospital the next day for aggressive behavior.

NickGull wrote:Anyone know of any news? No news is good news.. hopefully!

Nick. It take a long time for the wheels of justice to start moving. 6 to 12 months after charging seems commonplace and there are certainly examples of longer than that (even in the Herald) so I wouldnt hold your breath...

Anyone know of any news?

No news is good news.. hopefully!

Not as yet, but, for a very dull reason, I believe he will request a trip to Exeter CC.

Matt.

Both prosecution and defence can apply to put bad character in. This could include service disciplinary records if e.g. test is passed that they show reprehensible conduct of a probative value in these proceedings. Has Zeb's elected, then?

Gulliball wrote:I'd expect (and hope) that the club will support him through this. Like it or not, football is a different industry to almost any other and it's now almost irrelevent what footballers do outside of their club life. As long as he avoids jail, then it won't have too much of an effect on Torquay United. We knew his history before we signed him (twice), and nothing he's done here changes his reputation. The bottom line is that he's been our best player this season, and we need him.

Very sensationalist from the HE too - he wasn't charged with assaulting a solidier, he was charged with actual bodily harm - your lead line should at least be accurate.

In fairness to the HE, it is accurate, moreso than putting simply ABH, they have defined the ABH as an assault (it's a type of assualt) and they have specified the victim by occupation, thus, more accurate. What it is is sensationalist, which one must expect from a local tabloid.

Your gripe should at least be accurate. (< this is supposed to be a laughing smily, since this post may not be entirely serious).

*Toddles off to find hobby*

Matt.