TUST Updates

[TUST_Official]

Good evening Gulls,

TUST welcome the announcement concerning the new Supporters club.

We look forward to working with them in partnership and collaborating on projects and initiatives that benefit TUFC on and off the pitch.

We also look forward to meeting with the new committee once they are in place in order to clarify the aims and objectives of the Supporters Club and to ensure that our respective roles are complementary and not duplicated.

Our August newsletter is also out and can be read here - https://mailchi.mp/8ba1a0386ec2/april-n ... a63ef53ed3

[culmstockgull]

I have read and re read your August newsletter and perhaps not alone in being totally perplexed by the TUST's thought processes. It is apparent that the club wishes to support and communicate only with the alternative TUCST which is being re born as the emperors new clothes , model 2.0,and yet you now intend to financially contribute to their success in detriment to your own. The club is run by a solitary individual with his own game plan, the TUCST will follow any doctrine given by that individual, the TUST remains the only independent voice of Torquay United supporters, while you huff and puff you do not actually pose a threat to their thought processes but it is obvious they feel threatened by your activities inside and outside the ground and that's the way it should be. It is never a frictionless process between supporter and owner, but the primary object of the TUST must not be to be friends to all but keep the owner looking over their shoulder.

[MellowYellow]

I have read and re read your August newsletter and perhaps not alone in being totally perplexed by the TUST's thought processes. It is apparent that the club wishes to support and communicate only with the alternative TUCST which is being re born as the emperors new clothes , model 2.0,and yet you now intend to financially contribute to their success in detriment to your own. The club is run by a solitary individual with his own game plan, the TUCST will follow any doctrine given by that individual, the TUST remains the only independent voice of Torquay United supporters, while you huff and puff you do not actually pose a threat to their thought processes but it is obvious they feel threatened by your activities inside and outside the ground and that's the way it should be. It is never a frictionless process between supporter and owner, but the primary object of the TUST must not be to be friends to all but keep the owner looking over their shoulder.

[TUFC Forever]

Culmstockgull

I think there is some confusion with all of these acronyms...

Just to clarify - TUCST stands for Torquay United Community Sports Trust which is an independent organisation from the club. This is also synonymous with the old "Torquay United Football in the Community" i.e. an organisation which is focused on the wider community at large.

The model 2.0 version you referred to relates to the newly formed (or about to form) TUSC which is the Torquay United Supporters Club.

TUST (Torquay United Supporters Trust) has a very good relationship with TUCST and that is the orgainisation it is looking to consider supporting from a financial perspective and not the new Supporters Club.

I agree it is all very confusing with the acronyms and no wonder there is confusion.. but it is important to clarify the position for you.

I hope that makes sense!

Matt

[culmstockgull]

How can an allegedly independent group have as its contact number that of Torquay united, the e mail address is that of Torquay united, even within its web pages it espouses not their thoughts but the aspirations of Torquay United, it is not independent no matter what they tell you.

[TUFC Forever]

Hi Culmstockgull

I can understand your comments as the Community Sports Trust is closely aligned to the club for obvious reasons, but its' constitution is that of a charitable trust (as far as I am aware - Registered Charity Number 1125138) and therefore financially it is independent from the club. Whether or not the club fund the trust in any way, I am not sure but it doesn't appear to be the case from the latest set of accounts that I can see. But, no doubt their affiliation with the club will provide in some way the use of club resources I guess and possibly the ability to access certain grants that may be available. Also, probably first "dibs" at the next starlet lurking on the local scene if they come across one.

The Community Sports Trust It has its' own board of trustees listed on its' website. https://www.tucst.co.uk/the-trust/staff/ - I note that Mr Edwards is one of those. However, I don't believe he can exert any greater lever of influence than someone like Simon Baker (who also sits on the board of TUST).

I have asked for a TUST Board member to further elaborate for you as my knowledge is somewhat limited, but my take on matters is that TUST (having had the door closed in their face by the club on the services they were willing to offer) are still keen to support the club in some way and providing this support through the Community Sports Trust is a positive way of doing this in view of the strong relationship that continues to exist. Maintaining such a relationship and building support within the community can only be a positive for the future as you never know when the community will need to be called on!

[TUST_Official]

Hello Gulls, busy time at Plainmoor with two home games coming up but there is also the Senior Gulls event being held by TUCST on Tuesday.

This Tuesday will see the return of our popular Senior Gulls to Torquay United Community Sports Trust for the new season.

We are delighted to welcome former United winger Dave Rudge as our special guest for Senior Gulls. Dave also starred for Aston Villa and Hereford United, and will be with us to discuss his career in the game, as well as answering your questions.

The first Senior Gulls of the new season will be held in the Boots and Laces Bar on Tuesday, September 24 from 2pm -4pm.

The Senior Gulls is for supporters aged 50 or over and we meet on the last Tuesday of every month in Boots and Laces. Membership is just £10 for the entire season, we provide complimentary tea and coffee, and the bar is open. We also have a quiz and raffle at every meeting.
As a special welcome offer for the return of Senior Gulls, all those attending this meeting and signing up for membership will be given two complimentary tickets for the visit of Eastleigh to Plainmoor on Tuesday evening in the National League.

To find out more about the Senior Gulls, please contact the Trust on 01803 322551 or email [email protected]

[TUST_Official]

AGM 2019

This years AGM will be held at Torquay Athletic Rugby Club, our local sporting partners, followed by an informal social afterwards on Thursday 24th October, 6.30pm.

We would love to see as many members there as possible for the meeting and then a get together afterwards. For our Corporate Members this could be a good networking event to meet up and share contact details.

See you all there

[TUST_Official]

AGM 2019

Reminder

A VERY IMPORTANT TUST AGM THIS WEEK


To be held at 6:30pm until 7:45pm this Thursday, the 24th October at our neighbours, the Torquay Athletic Rugby Football Club, Torquay Recreation Ground on the sea front.

(Parking is free).


Dear members,

If you have not attended one of our meetings before, or maybe missed a few in the last year or two, I would like to emphasise that this one will be a very important one, at which we need your input and direction as to how we best continue to fulfil our ongoing remit (To promote good governance and seek to ensure the long-term sustainability of our club for the benefit of current and future supporters and the wider community).

Your board of volunteers have been busy. There are decisions to be directed and motions to be discussed and voted upon by you, our members. I would encourage every member who lives near enough, to please make every effort to attend this important meeting. (Of course we will understand that those living in such far off places as Australia, the USA, Canada, S.Africa, the Middle East, the Netherlands, Norway and our many exiles around the UK may find this too huge an ask!)

Refreshments will be provided, the bar will be open and,for those who wish to stay and chat with the board, we are holding an informal social afterwards with a game of skittles for those who wish to participate.

…....TUST needs you on Thursday to help us to continue to support our club, TUFC, in the best ways we possibly can.......

Yours sincerely, and passionately,

Michel Thomas

Chairman

[TUST_Official]

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 2019

GULLS’ SUPPORTERS TRUST ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP PARTNERSHIP

Torquay United Supporters Trust (TUST) have announced today they have become the headline sponsors for the Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST), the recently formed TQ1 club for our footballing community’s younger boys and girls and the Torquay United Women’s Team. TUST’s sponsorship of these groups has provided training tops for the TUCST coaches, competition shirts for the TQ1 sides and tracksuits for the Women’s team.

TUST chairman Michel Thomas said, ‘ We’re really pleased to be the headline sponsors of TUCST, TQ1 and the Women’s team, all part of the Torquay United family as TUST promotes one of its core objectives - outreach and engagement to support the future sustainability and value of our
club within the local community.’ TUCST Community Manager Jamie McInnes added, ‘ We are thrilled and delighted to have received this support from TUST. The other coaches, the TQ1 club and the women are really excited with the great news that they have this new kit.’ The TQ1 club have already worn their new kit at a recent Plymouth Argyle tournament.

A presentation and handover of this new kit for the coaches and TQ1 kids took place on Thursday November 28 at the Paignton Academy.
Three photos for publication are attached all taken by Dennis Kallmer.

Two versions of Nick Brodrick TUST Supporter Liaison Officer with the TQ1 children with their
new shirts. TUST chairman Michel Thomas also in picture.

One photo of TUCST Manager Jamie McInnes and his coaches with TUST chairman Michel
Thomas and TUST directors Nick Brodrick and Rob Dickinson (holding top).

Photos of the kit handover to the Women’s team will take place on another occasion.

[TUST_Official]

TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST ( TUST ) PRESS RELEASE DECEMBER 2019
J
GULLS’ SUPPORTERS TRUST LOOKING FOR FAN ENGAGEMENT

TUST ( Torquay United Supporters Trust ) congratulates our Devon neighbours, Exeter City, for coming top of all the clubs in the four tiers of English football in the recently released Fan Engagement Index and Plymouth Argyle on their 14th place in the top twenty.

The Fan Engagement Index - based on publicly available data - awarded points to clubs based on how they communicate with supporters, how fans help with the club’s governance and the transparency of supporter meetings.

Kevin Rye, who previously worked with Supporters Direct, is now a fan engagement consultant said, “ One of the reasons why clubs fall down is because they don’t have a direct relationship with the most active supporter organisation, which in most cases is a supporters’ trust.”
He added, “ I hope this gives some principles and structure to fan engagement and opens up the conversation between fans and clubs, bringing the two together.”

With Torquay United currently outside the EFL, the club clearly wasn’t included. But had it been where might it have come?

Currently TUST has been frozen out from any involvement in the club despite it being the only supporter organisation in support of the Gulls with over 360 paid up fan and corporate members. TUST chairman Michel Thomas said, “ I strongly feel that it is extremely important that, at every football club, the owners and directors should liaise closely and positively with any supporters’ organisations in order to secure a longer term, sustainable position as an asset to the local community.”

Exeter City came first in the index because they put fan engagement at the heart of what the club does.
To strengthen the growing importance of supporters trusts TUST are to join with the trusts at both Exeter and Plymouth to form an influential Devon Supporters Group of all three clubs.

In the forthcoming General Election the Conservative manifesto pledges to set up a fan led review of football governance, which will include consideration of the owners and directors’ test as well as promising to establish a £150million Community Ownership Fund to encourage local take-overs of under threat organisations or community assets, including “ local football clubs”. Labour, meanwhile, has pledged to legislate for accredited football supporters’ trusts to be able to appoint and remove at least two club directors and purchase shares when clubs change hands “.

That both the Tories and Labour include these in their manifestos underlines the need for football to be run properly and this can be done with the volunteers that make up Supporters Trusts such as those who willingly give their free time to Torquay United’s own trust who last season ran the highly successful Fan Zones and MatchDay Ambassadors, neither of which, on orders from the club’s directors, have been seen this season.

[TUST_Official]

SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL MEETING

Board members and trustee representatives of Devon’s three top professional football clubs’ supporters’ trusts - Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United - met recently at Exeter’s St James’s Park to establish a Devon group of supporters’ trusts (DSTG)

Those present exchanged views and ideas about the role of a supporters’ trust at each club. Whilst much of what happens at each club differs in some aspects, what was agreed is the growing influence and importance of supporters’ trusts who represent the views of a club’s fanbase.

A spokesperson said, “ It was great to have all three clubs in one place to discuss supporter influence on their clubs and across their local communities.”

The DSTG group intend to meet again in the near future before the end of this current season with a view to establishing a wider South-West alliance.

TUST article

[Grecianstu]

Hello

Exeter fan in peace etc etc

Just having a browse of your boards and found it highly surprising how little engagement there's been with the last two posts. I know little of the DSTG but the knowledge-sharing that will ensue has got to be a massive boost to your Trust right?

[nickbrod]

We, at TUST, are very excited at working with the trusts at Exeter and Plymouth and look forward to developing the newly formed relationships.

[TUST_Official]

December Newsletter

Chairman's Comments

Dear members and supporters,

Firstly, hoping the festive season has been a joyful and healthy one for everyone, excluding the wet and miserable Boxing Day match at Yeovil! Well done to the team and the supporters who all came back together and put in a great shift for our club on Saturday against Woking, I certainly went home much lighter of foot.

The most important message I want to send to you this month is to please make sure to collect a copy of our new complimentary 2020 TUST BROCHURE, which we are launching on January 1st before the Yeovil match. Please be sure to take a copy for anyone you may know in our community who is a friend of TUFC and may not be at the match. We will also arrange to take them to an away match or two soon, to distribute to our exiled supporters who may not often get to Plainmoor. ( We also aim to send members soft copies with our next email .)

Our particular thanks go to our member, Black Swan Printers at Dawlish, for doing such an excellent job. Equally to our increased number of corporate members who wholly funded this initiative. Please peruse their adverts and consider supporting them and their excellent local services.

Our team would be grateful to have a couple more VOLUNTEERS to come forward to help give the brochures out on January 1st. Please let us know if you can help ([email protected]) We will then get in touch with you personally to discuss the details and at what time you might be able to be there.

We will be distributing outside Plainmoor, at both the Pop side and the Bristows/ Family stand entrances , we aim to begin from when the gates open, between 1:45 and 2pm. Our team looks forward to meeting you there.

Meanwhile, the summary of the minutes of our December meeting will keep you updated on the various ongoing works we are involved with, in order to support our club and its engagement with, and outreach to, the community. You may have had the opportunity to read the recent press releases, not least relating to our partnership with the Torquay United Community Sports Trust and the creation of the new Devon Supporters’ Trust Group with Argyle and Exeter City trusts. At the same time, we are still continuing to work towards more supporter engagement and togetherness, with all who are involved in the important decisions on any plans, in influencing a sustainable and a secure longer term future for our special club. Rest assured that both remits are being followed with diligence.

A happy and healthy New Year to all supporters, the club management, the staff and of course players with success for all at TUFC.

Michel Thomas
COYY


December board meeting - summary minutes

Chairman’s introduction

MT opened the meeting by reflecting on TUST’s many successes during the year including the Matchday Ambassadors, delivery of the Premier League Fans Fund projects including Fan Zones and outreach events, our brochure, networking with the business community, the work of the strategy team, the success of our social media, our blossoming partnership with the Community Sports Trust including headline sponsorship, the Devon Supporters Trust group, press coverage and relations with local politicians.

He thanked all the board members for their support and dedication in making these happen.

Radio Devon

TUST had raised members’ concerns over the lack of radio coverage of Torquay games. A reply had been received from Radio Devon explaining that they did not have sufficient local frequencies to broadcast live radio coverage of TUFC games but were providing on-line commentaries. While we understand the explanation it doesn’t address our concens and it will be interesting to see what coveage is provided when we return to the Football League.

Torquay United Community Sports Trust

A useful meeting had been held with representatives of the TUCST board and a proposal to appoint a TUST board member to the TUCST board is being considered.

Devon Supporters’ Trust group

The inaugral meeting of the group was held at St James’ Park on 5th December. It had been a positive meeting attended by representatives of Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City. The various objectives of the Trusts were discussed and their relationships with their clubs. A further meeting was planned for later in the season which TUST had offered to host.

A proposal had been agreed to explore whether there is interest in a wider alliance of trusts across the SW region.

A press release about the event and partnership had been prepared and received some coverage. The Non –League Paper had also asked Nick Brodrick to prepare an item about Trusts in non-league generally for publication in the New Year.

Proposed Supporters’ Club

Despite several attempts to seek an update there was no news from the Club regarding the formation of a Supporters’ Club proposed in September.

New brochure

The final draft of the new brochure was tabled and favourably received. It was currently with the printers with a view to having it ready for distribution at matches over the Festive Season. It had been agreed ahead of the meeting to order 3000 copies.

Corporate members

Membership now stood at 20 and all were represented in the new brochure

Response to AGM motion

No response had been received from the Club. The FSA had been instructed to try and broker a meeting between the TUST board and the Club and initial contact had been made.

Asset of Community Value

The need to renew the ACV in respect of Plainmoor before it expires in March 2020 was noted.

Banning orders

The board condemned the recent news of the violent behaviour of three men supposedly ‘supporters’ of TUFC. It praised the Club and police for taking firm action to prosecute and ban these individuals.

The Chair updated on the unrelated position of the ten or so fans who had been given banning orders for entering the pitch after the last home game of the season. There was no indication that their request for a repeal of the season long ban was being considered by the Club. It was understood that the group were considering their next step following advice from the FSA.

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