Immediate Issues

[AJW]

The first question is which division the club will be in next season. On a purely points basis this is addressed on other topics. Whilst it has been mentioned briefly elsewhere, the question of whether National League requirements for membership can be satisfied by the time of the AGM. The NL will probably require either the club out of Administration, or a potential purchaser close to completing a transfer of ownership on acceptable terms to the league. With about two months to the AGM time is not on the clubs side.

The next issue is funding the club through the close season. Traditionally, clubs survive the summer on a cash flow basis from the sale of season tickets and sponsorship. How many people will buy season tickets not knowing if the club will actually be playing next season? Whilst some will, some will not. The same applies to Sponsorship deals. This is an even greater problem with the club being in Administration. There is no cash pot or owner to plug the cash flow gap.

Forming next seasons squad will be problematical. The transfer embargo is in place and probably will not be removed until a sale has completed. Southend went through last summer under a transfer embargo and were not allowed to even re-sign players whose contracts had expired. I believe the league rules only allow you to form a squad of 15 or 16 with those under contract and non contracted players who are on seven days notice either way. How many players will agree to come to Torquay on that basis?

All these issues can be overcome but will be a considerable effect on next season before it even starts. Quite frankly, simply being in the same division with new owners at the end of the 24-25 season is the best that can be hoped for.