hector
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Post by hector on Jul 31, 2016 10:55:00 GMT
I think - if taken at face value - the statement from David Phillips is fair enough, although there are contained within it a few contradictions from previous words or actions.
It is suggested that the purchase of Plainmoor was not part of the original MOU, yet it was only a week or so ago that David Phillips was imploring the council to sell the freehold and leaving the ball in their court. It was obvious to anyone, when GI were first mentioned, that such a property developing company would want the freehold of Plainmoor. To act all surprised that they actually did want this fools nobody. Therefore, it is frustrating that almost 5 months has been wasted on this.
In the meantime, TUST were rebuked and treated shoddily, with the omnipresent Peter Masters on the scene and how much faith can we have in the integrity of the owners if the Truro owners suddenly emerges as a contender for ownership? The rebuttal of TUST seems ironic now, when in the above statement, David Phillips talks of restoring links with 'obviously TUST' when previous actions have been acting against them.
If David Phillips is true to his words above, then there needs to be, from now, a concerted campaign by those at the club, by TUST and the dinosaurs at the Herald Express to galvanise some momentum behind TUST. People will mock TUST membership levels and of course that is what TUST is up against. But they were also up against an obstructive football club, run by fellow supporters and a local press who seemed to mock their efforts and belittle their significance. Everyone pulling in the same direction - not just by turning up and contributing to Players Fund, whilst still not having any say in how the club is run - but by moving for true Supporter Ownership, so it truly is OUR club.
There has probably never been a better time to do it but naysayers will probably stop it.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jul 31, 2016 13:26:24 GMT
Does anyone know how much has to repaid and will their be any money left in the MacFund for buying players? I think the MacFund will give us a bit of breathing space and nothing more I'm afraid, particularly with reference to the player fund appeal in this statement. I would agree with sentiments expressed by hector that if fans are asked to contribute to the player fund then they must have a corresponding input into how the club is run...... |
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simonb
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Post by simonb on Jul 31, 2016 14:15:57 GMT
Thank Heavans that tardy little episode is over - from the wording of the statement I suspect GI were bullsh*tting their way over the proposals. Concur that we all need to rally round now, bury any hatchets and move onwards!
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 1, 2016 7:44:30 GMT
The TUST August Newsletter is now out as shown below with their view of the takeover and a bid themselves to explore to take over the reins!!!!
A Dash For The Exit Door???
Seduced last year by Dean Edwards "sexing up" the fate that might befall Torquay United - "the chains were about to go on the gates" - David Phillips and the board were apparently prepared to jump into bed with Gaming International, a property developer which had little interest in football and no connection to South Devon.
The mechanism was a long drawn-out Memorandum of Understanding widely-reported to be underwritten by an interest-bearing loan. Eventually, as revealed by the editor of the Herald Express on 27 July, we learned that negotiations over PLAINMOOR took place almost exclusively between Gaming International and Torbay Council.
Where were David Phillips and his board while these talks were taking place?
The week Jim Parker's article appeared Torquay United AFC was completing ninety-five years as a legal entity. That's the club we grew up supporting.
Who, then, was fighting our corner at such a crucial time?
And why, according to the Herald Express, is the Mayor’s office practically begging the club to talk to them? Why the hesitancy on behalf of the board? Why the reluctance?
We learn the council is valuing Plainmoor in the absence of talks with the club itself.
David Phillips ... why were you not leading the discussions that would have not only affected the future of our club but also its home since turning professional in 1921?
David Thomas, through one of his Herald Express podcasts, tells us the board consider themselves to be "custodians" of the club. If that's the case why did they appear so eager for the freehold of Plainmoor to be entrusted to a property developer?
The verdict?
NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
Let's face it. There is no Thea waiting in the wings. Most of the interest is coming from those who covet land rather than football success. There's clearly the prospect of money to be made irrespective of which league counts Torquay United as a member.
It's time for David Phillips and the board to ask the question: "is community ownership of Torquay United a viable possibility?”
So come on David: ASK THE QUESTION.
TUST stands ready to help you with the answer.
TUST is committed to preserving a professional football club in the Bay.
Fundamental to that aim is always ensuring there will be a home for Torquay United.
Until we are convinced that the long-term future of the club is secure we will oppose ANY attempt to sell Plainmoor to ANY private individual or company.
The Gaming International takeover saga shone a spotlight upon all that is wrong with the traditional model of a football club being entirely privately-owned.
The future of Torquay United came close to being decided by an outside group of business people who had little concern beyond next year’s balance sheet. It was a case of buildings and land rather than footballers.
TUST is eager to explore the concept of a properly-regulated community-owned club working in partnership with Torbay Council and the wider community. This would be a true partnership of supporters, the council, local businesses, community organisations and other interested parties.
Community ownership along these lines is in place at clubs such as Wrexham, Exeter, Portsmouth and Chester.
Torquay United is a club with the potential to get back in the Football League and flourish. We need to urgently investigate whether a similar ownership model could work at OUR club.
TUST believes the time has arrived for the three key parties – Torquay United, Torbay Council and TUST – to work together and explore the viability of community ownership.
The future, quite simply, starts now.
We Had To Fight To Find Out What Was Going On Now We Are Fighting For Our Future
The FOREVER YELLOW Fund
Originally this was meant to be an insurance fund to help protect the club if the unthinkable ever happens ... It may be sooner than we think!
This is now a FIGHTING FUND
The fund will never be used to support any club directors or elements that the club has responsibility for.
The fund will never be used to form a partnership or consortium with other parties.
If You Love Your Club Please DONATE NOW ... Every penny counts...
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midlandstufc
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Post by midlandstufc on Aug 1, 2016 19:09:43 GMT
£20 a month from me since TUST started plus the Lottery. It's not a lot but if we all group together it builds up!
I endorse everything RJD says and if it all kicks off I will send more to TUST.
When we chant Come On You Yellows, we mean us the fans, wherever they may be!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 20:17:34 GMT
Don't despair at not getting that new ground, there might still be hope  Clarke Osborne, chief executive of Gaming International, said: “We wanted to move the club’s home ground to a new multi-use facility that would be much more commercially viable.
“We made comfortable progress with the club and entered into discussions with the local authority over purchasing the freehold of Plainmoor.
“Unfortunately, we are not able to progress any further at this moment in time, though we will continue to work closely with the club and try to get into a position where we have sufficient levels of confidence.
“The club is looking for alternatives, which they’re perfectly entitled to do, but if nothing comes of that then we may still have a future with them.”
Torquay’s Plainmoor ground is quite small, with a capacity of 6,500, and is situated in a built up area, which isn't ideal from Gaming International's point of view.
Mr Osborne, insisting that GI are still keen to go ahead with the purchase, added: “For us, it is essential that the club has a new ground so they can exploit all the commercial opportunities that come with it.”
link - Clarke Osborne speaks |
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Post by tqriviera on Aug 4, 2016 7:48:16 GMT
Torquay’s Plainmoor ground is quite small, with a capacity of 6,500, and is situated in a built up area, which isn't ideal from Gaming International's point of view.
That statement from Clarke Osborne says it all really.
No mention or interest in the people who actually pay to watch the football.
And our Board of Directors considered them suitable to purchase our Club - frightening!
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simonb
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Post by simonb on Aug 4, 2016 12:14:56 GMT
Getting a little tired of the drip feed statements of smoke, mirrors and dollops of innuendo. TUFC should have learned that GI really are a poxy outfit who have consistently failed to deliver a number of projects in what they claim is their specialist domain. GI really need to evidence in full what they are about. We should never get into bed with them again. There is no problem with working towards a new ground development but this must be with a reliable set of partners adhering to sensible and realistic terms allied to a proper medium term plan, not something done on the back of a f*g packet!
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 4, 2016 22:26:45 GMT
link - article in the Herald today that explains the Chairman's thinking. It is a view that is debatable and will add my thoughts this weekend.
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simonb
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Post by simonb on Aug 11, 2016 16:01:50 GMT
Whilst a new ground is something well worth exploring perhaps after the GI fiasco, lessons will be learnt and future projects will be properly planned with full stakeholder involvement along with a sensible timeline and a thorough financial analysis? With such developments it is essential to get everyone on the same side well before initial plans are drawn up. There has to be transparency.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 12, 2016 7:17:57 GMT
Whilst a new ground is something well worth exploring perhaps after the GI fiasco, lessons will be learnt and future projects will be properly planned with full stakeholder involvement along with a sensible timeline and a thorough financial analysis? With such developments it is essential to get everyone on the same side well before initial plans are drawn up. There has to be transparency. - yes, Phillips is talking about his thinking in this link where the plan seems to be that developers will build us a new stadium which we will get for free? While they get to make a profit from developing the adjoining land. Obviously the key player is the local authority as they hold the freehold at Plainmoor, the land at the Willows as well as holding the power to stipulate the building of a fit for purpose stadium. What needs to be done is ensure that the club does not fall down or lose out as part of this process and selling to a developer was not the best way of achieving this. The additional income from hiring out a 3g pitch would then be able to subsidise the club going forward - anyone know if this surface is acceptable to the league? Just a thought but if a 3g pitch is the objective to obtain all these additional cash flows has an analysis of installing one at Plainmoor been undertaken? Probably a tenth of the cost of building a new stadium.... |
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Aug 12, 2016 8:44:52 GMT
3G is presently an acceptable surface in the National League, but not in the Football League.
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sam
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Post by sam on Aug 12, 2016 9:31:56 GMT
I don't want 3g. What can be worse than all games based on skill. I like mud, slippery conditions, frost, seagulls, all of which would go with 3g. I like to see the less able coming into their own when conditions are heavy.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 12, 2016 9:32:27 GMT
3G is presently an acceptable surface in the National League, but not in the Football League. Thanks - so not exactly a progressive way forwards then? |
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Post by stefano on Aug 12, 2016 9:40:06 GMT
I don't want 3g. What can be worse than all games based on skill. I like mud, slippery conditions, frost, seagulls, all of which would go with 3g. I like to see the less able coming into their own when conditions are heavy. Absolutely! Football is already heavily sanitised from the blood and thunder days we remember when if a player got injured you were down to ten men. More like bloody basketball these days! Premiership pitches already look stupid with all that grass on them in February, and 3G would be even worse. Can you imagine Nobby Stiles looking comfortable on 3G? Of course not! Case dismissed.. |
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