Torquay United Fans Forum

Sorry, it should have read 'anywhere in Torbay' not Torquay.

I put in a the freedom of information request to see whether anyone had made a pre-application enquiry about relocating Torquay United or any other club specifically at The Willows or anywhere in Torquay. The answer was - no one had. This does not preclude closed door, private talks with the mayor/planning department (Nolan report?) but shows that no official relocation and new ground project is in the offing. It struck me as a bit odd that the promotional video came out while I was waiting for a reply (application submitted 2nd Feb - answer received yesterday). This is a really big building project involving demolition, contamination, drainage. No public consultation has been done yet, an essential ingredient of an application this size. No big property consultancy has been called in yet as far as I know. This makes me think, and I would add that this is only my private gut reaction, that GI are not really interested in progressing their project until they get a thumbs up from the decision makers at the council. The good work by the forums which hopefully can be disseminated to the decision makers in the absence of our local press will show that GI are not to be trusted, that you cannot complain about their stadium building as they haven't built any.

Perhaps Madgull isn't so mad after all. We are +3 from his predictions going into the Dagenham game as he charts our 50 point target.

That is a superb idea Soupdragon and I will think about this. Someone will need to be on hand to dish them out on matchdays so a bit of a process has to be formulated. What I am hoping is that in the future there will be a dedicated person who looks after the interest of the disabled supporters on matchdays, getting tea, handing out the blankets, putting them away afterwards etc. Is there more to this, being an intellectual bankrupt as far as knitting is concerned. For instance, should there not be a standardised type of stitch and thickness so that when they are all put together they knit in well. And what about standardised colours. This is a really kind gesture . Let me make a few enquiries to see how a person could have access to them before and after the match and then we could put out an appeal for knitted squares of a certain standard. Thank you Soupdragon.

I've sent off a Freedom of Information request to Torbay Council about The Willows just in case.

Yorkieandy. That is correct, Chris Rich sent me an email saying he would get back to me soon and they were working on the budget. Hopefully they will come back with something even if it is just a tenner out of their own pocket as this is a matter which affects the vulnerable supporters of the club they are involved in and own. £1400 to find now but it will be done. The Exeter Trust were superb, not only in their generosity but input. True fans. Don't forget, it's numbers which impress the decision makers. For those who haven't, please join the TUST.

I have been informed that one of the attractions that drew GI to Torquay was the fact there was a mayoral system. There were other options available to them. The thinking being that if they win the mayor over it's job done. Whether this is right or not I don't know, perhaps Soupdragon can elucidate. The statement from GI in July 2017 saying TUAFC would be in a new stadium by 2020 cannot happen because of planning unless they are well advanced with talks involving planners and the mayor ( a freedom of information request can be made to reveal any pre-application enquiries made by GI and the Willows and the council have to respond). If that is not the case then there are 3 alternatives left 1- GI are unfamiliar with the planning process: 2 they are not telling the truth and know there is no chance being in a new stadium by 2020- or 3 - they are looking at the team relocating.

One other thing, the TUST are meeting with the London based exiles soon which is great news. People from all over the country who are not members should join. There is a vast knowledge base among Gulls supporters throughout the land and pooling our thoughts, resources and skills under the aegis of the TUST who may be able to coordinate things is, I think, the way forward. The salvation of this club does not necessarily lie in Torbay/Teignbridge/South Hams.

Dave, I'll give a quick update. They are short of 'doers' especially on the IT front and if anyone can help so much the better. Website/facebook set ups in particular. Anyhow, I left the meeting content that this group will be looking after my football club to the best of their ability. Bearing in mind they are working with owners who have a record of non communication and appear to have an unfortunate Machiavellian approach to their business dealings. Nobody knows really what they are up to. Community ownership was discussed including taking over the lease of the ground. A show of hands was in favour although some were not sure. What is more important than money is membership. This was highlighted by the Exeter trust who said that their 1500 membership was evidence to the decision makers that they were true representatives of the fan base. We must join, it adds weight to TUST representations. I am happy the TUST have no other agenda other than the survival of the club and the protection of Plainmoor. The very same goals that I want. My personal opinion is that they are guardians of the club first and foremost and then when everything is sorted out, they will be involved in encouraging the club to progress.

The trust also emphasised the importance of bringing pressure to bear on people in authority such as councilors, the Mayor, anyone who has some clout. We should be seen to care.

I would like to add that they donated two shirts, one signed by the 2008 Torquay United team and one signed by Paul Gascoine as draw prizes. They raised nearly £400 on the night, money towards the roof over the disabled area. Thanks to all the fans who contributed. Chris Fleet won the Paul Gascoine shirt and he is going to put it on ebay and the funds going to the same cause. On top of this Exeter trust donated £100, what a kind gesture. Thanks everyone.

I expect they will provide an update soon. They are stretched. We are relying on these people to look after our club in the face of hostile owners who appear to dislike the trust, a press that are neglecting their duty and a handful of fans who must be GI backed agitators, undermining their efforts. Quite a task.

Just for information, I have increased my sub to TUST to £10 per month. I feel they are the only possible lifeline if it all goes TU.

Yes Yorkie, That is a good point. It's on the record. Even HE reported on what was promised. One promise however is truly rubbish and that is we would be in a new stadium by 2020. It certainly won't be in South Devon, it would be impossible to get the planning done in time.

This is indeed more like it. All the forums need to get behind the groundswell of concern and resultant action rather than be passive. As Ding Dong states they have come together beforehand and you cannot beat a united effort. Teigngull and Nickbrod are excellent examples of pushing and promoting the cause. We know Hartlepool have Geoff Stelling as a high profile media person, is there anyone in contact with Helen Chamberlain. We could do with her on board. I have just received an email from TUST about a meeting on 30th Jan. I think it important that persons should attend this. I look upon TUST as a lifeboat, the last point of refuge when all else has failed. There are certain posters who spend absolutely ages knocking them but I can't see how these posters are contributing to the survival of TUAFC. What is their motive. On the contrary, they seem to be trying to sink an organisation that exists solely for the continuation of the club, whatever form that may take. Forwards I say, not just on the pitch but in our mindset.

Yep, you are right Yorkie. I'm one of them that will STILL go. I too am so sad at the lack of investment, poor management etc but the fact is I like my football on a Saturday and as long there is a Torquay United team or phoenix type reincarnation in South Devon I will continue to watch them.

Hereford, AFC Wimbledon,Newport, Chester, Stockport, have all maintained good crowd figures with the first four teams mentioned starting in substantially lower divisions than National League South. What would have happened to those teams if the fans did not STILL hope, believe and attend matches?

Why would anyone bugger off and watch Exeter or Plymouth, in fact, how on earth could anyone even contemplate doing it. I am a Torquay United supporter and I think you will find there is probably a hardcore 1500 who have the same thoughts as me. If it is National South so be it. We should start winning more which will be a welcome change. Of course I would rather avoid relegation but if they don't then so be it.

Far better to be proactive and start planning for the future, wherever that might be. If they follow though on having a reserve team and boost the youth set up with that chap Taylor, then these are positive steps for the future are they not? Undermining the faithful does not help. Lack of resilience will be the downfall of this club not the regular supporter.

What a complete and utter waste of time that signing was. Complete pants - one shot on target that I can remember. What a state we are in.

What a delightful thread DB. For me, Kevin Hill was just so approachable, Jo Kuffour, he was great to see. I remember John Bond and Colin Bettany, titans of Plainmoor in their day. Jimmy Dunne and of course Robin Stubbs. Those players were a joy to watch and brought a smile either through their skill, effort, antics or in the case of Colin Bettany, sheer indestructibility.