TORQUAY UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST

11th November 2023

MEMBERSHIP INCREASES

Following on from the Fans’ Forum held last Wednesday with 150 in attendance, either in person or virtually, and the subsequent club statement issued by Torquay United Football Club, TUST would like to thank those fans who have joined as members.

Since Wednesday membership numbers have increased by 46 taking the current total to 474. TUST chairman Nick Brodrick said, “We are heartened by this show of support which highlights the depths of feelings currently felt amongst the loyal fan base.”

TUST is also grateful to the coverage given to the lack of communication from the football club by BBC Spotlight and ITV Westcountry who both featured the story in their programmes on Friday evening.

If you would like to become a member to help us towards our target of 500 please go to www.tust.co.uk for how to join.

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

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Unforgivable that the powers that be have still not retracted the lies posted on the official club website.

There was a slight possibility that somebody had got the wrong end of the stick and posted inaccurately in good faith.

It is now absolutely clear that the board has knowingly smeared the Chair of TUST in what appears to be a deliberate effort to alienate and divide the fan base. Why???

Disgraceful behaviour.

Yes - clear divide and rule tactics.

My questioning why was rhetorical.

If those running the club wanted the best for the football club, why would they divide and rule rather than unite fans to take the club forward?

The obvious conclusion is that those running the football club do not want what is best for the football club.

I would be happier if it was just sheer incompetence rather than something more sinister.

17th November 2023

FAN ZONE

TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

FANS’ FORUM VOTES FOR LAWFUL AND PEACEFUL PROTEST

CLUB’S STATEMENT LEADS TO TV AND RADIO COVERAGE FOR TUST

KING’S SPEECH INCLUDES INTRODUCTION OF INDEPENDENT REGULATOR

It has certainly been an interesting week on and off the pitch in the story of Torquay United with an embarrassing home defeat to Somerset rivals, Yeovil Town, a fans’ forum and a welcome away victory to steady everyone’s nerves.

Let’s deal with matters off the pitch first. Through the club’s unwillingness to grant the request to hold a fans’ forum it fell upon TUST to organise one which took place a week ago at the Livermead Cliff Hotel. Around 150 supporters followed the session either in person or virtually with the overriding concern being the lack of communication from the directors and particularly the owner about his plans.

The promises Clarke Osborne made on acquiring Torquay United Football Club are well documented, none of which sadly have transpired. That the plans for the future of the club are shrouded in mystery creates a void which, in this day and age of social media, leads to all kinds of speculation.

And of course references are made to Gaming International’s track record of taking over sporting venues, promising new stadia without ever actually building any. Torquay United Football Club is currently owned by the majority share holding of Riviera Stadium Ltd.

*****

The events of last Wednesday’s forum leading to a motion for a peaceful sit-in protest which was carried unanimously resulted in the club issuing a statement.

This statement generated immediate media interest not just from the Torbay press but the local news programmes on ITV and BBC who both featured the story last Friday evening and Radio Devon on their Saturday pre-view programme.

The statement contained a personal attack on myself which was at best both unfortunate and inaccurate. It would be good to think someone at the club could reflect on the wording and issue a retraction and an apology.

*****

TUST was pleased that Torbay MP Kevin Foster made it back in time from Westminster to join the meeting along with a representative from the Exeter City Supporters Trust as they celebrate their 20th year running their club.

And since the meeting and the subsequent statement there has been a surge in TUST membership with around 50 new members signing up.

Due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas the idea of protests is very much in the national news and whilst it is every citizens’ right to protest these should be peaceful and lawful and this is what was stipulated at the fans’ forum.

For there was a proposal, which was carried, for a sit-in following the home National South fixture with Tonbridge Angels.

*****

There were other significant football events last week when, in the King’s Speech, Charles III told those assembled that ministers will establish an independent football regulator who will give fans more power over their clubs. This legislation will safeguard the future of football clubs.

Clubs in the top five tiers will all have to apply for a licence to continue operating in England and Wales so that means that Torquay’s current league status (tier 6) excludes them from being eligible.

The legislation will introduce tougher owner and director tests for clubs to address what the Government calls “growing concerns about financial mismanagement.”

Tracey Crouch MP who led the Fan-Led Review commented, “…it is important that measures are put in place to ensure the national game is fit for the future.”

*****

On the pitch the Plainmoor faithful were simmering down from Tuesday’s unacceptable loss to runaway league leaders Yeovil Town who put on a five star display reminiscent of some of Gary Johnson’s earlier sides under his management with slick, fast attacking football. That Yeovil only scored three was a relief and a surprise - as their manager Mark Cooper said afterwards - but it was their 12th consecutive victory.

So, it was on to bottom club Havant & Waterlooville, with only one win all season and that over Yeovil, on Saturday. United’s syndrome of only playing one half was in evidence and it seemed to need divine intervention over half time, with manager Gary Johnson giving what he referred to as “a sermon”, to jolt his team into action which saw the introduction of recently signed sub keeper Filip Chalupniczak.

And what a fillip he turned out to be saving a penalty to deny the home side an equaliser.

Fortunately new loan signing Theo Williams and Brad Ash saved United’s blushes as they came away with three much needed points …but still remain ten points behind Yeovil. New signing Ethon Archer had the Yellow Army all a quiver with an impressive debut.

*****

Non- League Crowd Watch: Chesterfield 9,667, Oldham 6,418, Scunthorpe 4,195, Dulwich Hamlet 3,334, Yeovil 3,162 and Macclesfield 3,002. The magic of the FA Cup continued this week with these key replays for non-league sides: Grimsby v Slough Town, Horsham v Barnsley and Cray Valley Paper Mills took on neighbours Charlton. Predictably, the league sides all won but for the losers it was a great pay day.

United’s Under-18s had a 2-1 league win over Bath City and on Saturday United’s first team take on Yeovil again this time in the FA Trophy.

Send your views on the fans’ forum to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com

COYY

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY

TUST REACTION TO TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENTS



Whilst TUST welcomes the interview with the football club’s owner Clarke Osborne, having waited

so long for this communication, it is disappointed that questions fans would like answers to were

not asked.

At the same time the club has bowed to increasing pressure by announcing an online fans’ forum.

Although this may be seen as a step forward TUST asks why this cannot be a face to face

meeting.

TUST acknowledges that whilst these may be seen as positive developments they do not meet

the criteria as set out at the recent Fans’ Forum.

As things stand Saturday’s sit-in protest goes ahead as planned.

6th December 2023

RESPONSE TO CLUB'S PROPOSALS

At a meeting between the TUST Chairman and Secretary and directors George Edwards and Mel Hayman last week, the club's proposals for an Independent Steering Group and renewed meetings between TUST and the club were tabled.

Following feedback received at our AGM and consideration of the proposals and related conditions, the TUST board have now sent the response below to the directors.

For reference, we also include the club's original statement at the bottom of this bulletin.


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TUST letter to club directors

Further to our meeting last Thursday, the TUST board has now had the opportunity to consider the paper that you tabled which was also discussed with members at our AGM on Thursday evening. TUST welcomes the proposals set out by the club subject to clarification of a few key points.

We agree that it is time to look to the future rather than back and in this spirit we welcome the opportunity to build a fresh and productive relationship with the club’s directors.

Independent Steering Group

We note that the club has already published its proposals for an Independent Steering Group. We believe that the success of the Group will depend on the democratic appointment of its members, independent of the club. We understand from our discussion on Thursday that this will be the case and look forward to seeing details of how this is to be achieved.

To give the Group the credence it requires, TUST would suggest that it should be structured along the lines of the Fan Advisory Boards (FAB), which have come out of the Fan-led Review. If Torquay are to rise to the National League and the EFL in the coming years then this sort of engagement will be required under the independent regulator anyway, and so the club can be said to be getting a head start on things and future proofing their setup for when the requirements change upon promotion.

Requirements for a FAB are to;

operate according to written terms of reference registered with the regulator (IREF), which should be based on a standard IREF template (which may be varied to allow flexibility according to local circumstances if so requested by supporters and the club)

consist of 5 - 12 members appointed according to a democratic process
have a Chair appointed from among its members on a seasonal basis
have reserved seats for representatives from key supporter groups including: representatives of the body holding the Golden Share (TUST), equality, diversity and inclusion representatives, youth supporters and international supporters (if relevant)

members should be subject to retirement by rotation, ensuring both that there is a regular turnover of members but also that at any one time there will be a number of experienced members on the FAB.

hold at least quarterly meetings with club executives, with guaranteed attendance from the club CEO or equivalent twice per year

TUST/TUAFC liaison meetings

We welcome the proposed return of regular meetings and suggest that their frequency should be mutually agreed as the relationship develops.

We recognise that all engagement between TUST and the club should be on a professional and respectful basis and we are disappointed that the club felt the need to specify this when it is a given in any such relationship. We endorse the adoption of an appropriate Code of Conduct and terms of reference, preferably in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding as adopted by many clubs.

Can you please provide clarification on the following points;

That ‘meetings with TUAFC board representatives’ means at least one TUAFC board member will attend.

What the restriction on ‘publishing an opinion’ means. Clearly both TUST and its board members as individuals need to be able to express opinions, always in a respectful way in accordance with the Code of Conduct. TUST has a social media policy which sets out guidance on how we use such platforms both as a board member and as an individual.

Agreed notes of the meetings to be available to our members, whilst recognising that on occasions there may be confidential items which cannot be published.


In conclusion, TUST welcomes the club’s proposal to arrange a meeting of TUST board representatives and the TUAFC board to consider how the club and TUST can work to improve the club’s communications, its reputation, influence and supporters’ experience. As we agreed on Thursday, we all have the same ambitions and goals.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Club statement issued on 30th November in full:

In talking to the supporters at home and away games it is clear TUST’s actions prior to and following the Fans Forum have resulted in a division between supporters – those that like the TUST and those that don’t.

TUST have decided based on a small number of supporters 150 – 50 in attendance and 100 on zoom to hold a protest. Everyone has the right to free speech, to their opinion and have the right to vent their emotions positive and negative but being personal, aggressive, and threatening is not acceptable.

We have taken on board what TUST Board, TUST members and other supporters have said in relation to communication and have introduced an online fans forum. We believe an online Fans Forum will allow the opportunity of all supporters to ask a question without worrying about what others will say or how they will react. This is the first phase of improving communication.

The second phase is to ensure that all supporters are represented therefore we are going to encourage an independent Supporters’ Steering Group, which we will assist in setting up and will include representatives of the following groups: Over 60’s – Men – Women – Under 18’s – Disability -Travelling Away Supporters and a TUST representative, if TUST agree to show respect to the owner, the board and its employees.

Once set up this will be an independent Supporters’ Steering Group which will have monthly meetings with board representatives and Club representatives. This will ensure that all supporters are represented equally.

We will reintroduce Monthly TUST meetings with board representatives if TUST can agree to the following:

1) We establish basic principles required to make dialogue possible.

a) An agreed code of conduct for engagement/dialogue with TUAFC Board. – we do not wish to silence dissent of the Club or management, direction, but need to ensure that disrespectful and personal remarks are not made by any individual within the management, governance of TUST and not encouraging or condoning any action by others to the same

b) Respect between TUST and TUAFC Board – no comments on person, character, background or publishing an opinion.

c) Agreed notes of meetings (both parties).

2) Based on this we will arrange a meeting of TUST Board and TUAFC Board to consider; How the Club and TUST can work to improve the Club’s performance, its reputation and influence and the supporters experience.

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

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19th January 2024

FAN ZONE

TUST's Chair, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.

TORQUAY DROP OUT OF FA TROPHY WITH FANS UNHAPPY

UNREST AT READING AND TAUNTON ON AND OFF THE PITCH

IS TV RUINING FOOTBALL WHAT’S YOUR VIEW?

267 travelling Yellow Army vented their disgust at the end of Torquay’s FA Trophy defeat at Hereford on Saturday with assistant manager Aaron Downes taking the brunt of the anger. By all accounts it was another unacceptable performance with United outplayed by the National North outfit. Even manager Gary Johnson had to say the better side had won a place in the next round and, as Johnson outlined at his press call last week, into the final 16 and with Wembley in sight.

Yes, injuries are not helping with the better players on the sidelines but as Johnson himself has admitted, those players who are available are of a quality that should be able to step up.

However, the evidence tells another story.

*****

In the last few weeks two players have left the payroll. First Shaun Donnellan moved to Scottish Premier’s bottom team Livingstone on a 2 and a half year contract while the most recent departure was Dylan Crowe who came on as a second half sub for King’s Lynn in National North joining ex-Gull Gabby Rodgers, who scored in their 2-2 draw.

A late surprising signing late on Friday was ex-United striker from 9 years’ ago, Duane Ofori-Acheampong, but his afternoon lasted only a matter of minutes pulling up with a hamstring problem. He talked about ‘unfinished business’ referring to his previous time at Plainmoor but this time around his short-term contract may be what it says. His arrival suggests Ash and Jarvis are still some way from a return although Ash may well be back before Jarvis.

This Saturday it’s back to league action with bottom side Dover the visitors; they secured a 1-1 draw at Taunton and presumably somebody from the club was there watching. Taunton fans, still reeling from all those player departures, have set up a supporters’ trust. And the club is now under an HMRC winding up petition.

*****

Torquay really do now need to pick up National South points as Yeovil’s 1-0 mid-week win at Taunton puts them 18 points ahead of the Gulls. The aim must be to get back into the play-off race and try to end up second but United’s away form, in particular, is a real concern. Play-off rivals Worthing had a comfortable win at Truro but Maidstone dropped three points.

*****

It was a great day for several lower division non-league sides in the FA Trophy: Southern League Premier South Hendon dumped National League Oldham out, National North Bishop’s Stortford hit Aldershot for six with striker Kane Critchlow hitting five of them. Two other National sides crashed out to lower league opposition, Hartlepool to Hampton and Dorking to Macclesfield.

Trophy Crowd Watch: Oldham 2,819, Hereford 2,264, Hartlepool 2,129, Macclesfield 1,833.

*****

For football authorities, club owners and directors these must be worrying times as fans show their displeasure with how their clubs are being run. It happened earlier at Everton with fans protesting at their 10 point deduction and at Southend as fans interrupted matches to protest against their owner. Now it has gone a stage further with Reading supporters flooding on the pitch to ensure their League 1 fixture with Port Vale was abandoned.

Reading are now anxiously waiting news of punishment from the EFL. Under tougher rules announced in July 2022 fans invading the pitch would receive an automatic club ban and be reported to the police. Other sanctions could include stadium closure and potential points deduction.

*****

There’s a growing rift brewing between fans and the TV companies in the scheduling of televised matches. In the spotlight now are the FA Cup 4th Round games coming up at the end of the month.

Fans of Manchester City and Newcastle United are particularly incensed, City play Spurs on a Friday night on January 26 with an 8pm kick-off with their travelling supporters lucky if they get home in the early hours of Saturday morning. Meanwhile, Newcastle play Fulham at Craven Cottage on the Saturday with a 7pm kick-off time.

Newcastle United Supporters Trust said, “The last train for Newcastle departs King’s Cross at 9pm, leaving thousands looking for accommodation in London with only two weeks’ notice. It’s always the fans who pay the price.”

In recent weeks a number of Premier League fixtures have been changed to suit the TV broadcasters at the expense of travelling fans.

*****

Local football followers will be aware that successful Plymouth Argyle manager Steven Schumacher moved on last month to take over at Stoke. Recently a national newspaper published an interesting interview with him. Stoke, for many, are under-achieving following their relegation from the Premier League in 2018 and desperately need a new direction and Schumacher believes he can succeed. He is certainly a modern manager who believes in the importance of data in recruitment. He says, “If there’s information in front of your eyes you should be using it, for recruitment and game planning.”

*****

Torquay Women played their first match of 2024 on Sunday but it resulted in a disappointing 4-2 home defeat at Wall Park despite visitors Abingdon Ladies finishing the game with nine after two red cards. After the game manager Steve Elswood resigned.

The Under-18s had a comfortable 4-0 league cup win at Fairford Town.

*****

Are TV companies ruining football? What’s your opinion? Send your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com

Saturday sees Dover make their second journey to the South-Week inside a week, let’s hope for three points and maybe a few returning from injury.

COYY

JOIN HERE - www.tust.co.uk

SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY