by Darryl » 04 Dec 2013, 18:29
diamondgirl wrote:So, Darryl, are you saying that, as supporters of Torquay United FC, we have bigger (Financial?) things to worry about, regarding our club, than the fact that we are bottom of the whole football league? Are you suggesting that our perilous posision is, in fact, the least of our worries?
Sorry, not having a go, just reading between the lines of post that you have submitted.
That's a fair question but please don't read too much between the lines. Obviously, when I worked at the club and, even more obviously, after I left I was rightly not privy to the inner financial situation of the club. I was though working at Plainmoor during the Chris Roberts era and I can categorically state that I doubt that level of financial suicide will ever be repeated at Plainmoor again!
In my original post I wanted to just stress that although emotions are running high for many, the long term future can be secured regardless even if a drop to the Skrill happens. I have seen it asked on other posts around this forum about the business acumen of the directors, well some of them are more than capable of handling a business such as TUFC and I'm sure plans are in place for a promotion, stay where you are or a relegation, whatever occurs. Believe me, there are many football clubs operating in a higher Football League position who are in a far more perilous financial situation than Torquay United and I refer you back to the 'duck on the water' scenario in my earlier post!
I certainly don't mean to sound like a glass half empty kind of person but there are probably 92 other professional football clubs within the pyramid who have bigger attendances and bigger income streams than those at Plaimoor and while that should not mean a perennial struggle it sure means a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck is needed along the way each season, along with the odd injection of cash.
My wife and two other members of staff were made redundant, regardless of the right and wrongs and my opinion of that, what do you think that does for the mind set of those staff that remain. It doesn't mean any of them will lose their jobs but, for some of them, there is a self-perceived shadow hanging over them and coupled with the team on the pitch having a rough time the mood can be, at times, nothing short of depressing (don't forget I was at the club when we did make the drop, it was gut-wrenching).
I have fallen out of love with TUFC, for personal reasons, and I should also be honest and say that I am a massive, lifelong supporter of Ipswich Town (a glutton for punishment, I know) but if you will allow me to suggest that, at the danger of repeating myself, supporting the club doesn't mean you endorse the decisions of the manager, directors or even the players. TUFC is an entity in itself to be cherished by those of you who can see past the odd dodgy substitution, fall out between player and manager and bizarre ticketing arrangement by the admin team or whatever else you see going 'wrong'.
[quote="diamondgirl"]So, Darryl, are you saying that, as supporters of Torquay United FC, we have bigger (Financial?) things to worry about, regarding our club, than the fact that we are bottom of the whole football league? Are you suggesting that our perilous posision is, in fact, the least of our worries?
Sorry, not having a go, just reading between the lines of post that you have submitted.[/quote]
That's a fair question but please don't read too much between the lines. Obviously, when I worked at the club and, even more obviously, after I left I was rightly not privy to the inner financial situation of the club. I was though working at Plainmoor during the Chris Roberts era and I can categorically state that I doubt that level of financial suicide will ever be repeated at Plainmoor again!
In my original post I wanted to just stress that although emotions are running high for many, the long term future can be secured regardless even if a drop to the Skrill happens. I have seen it asked on other posts around this forum about the business acumen of the directors, well some of them are more than capable of handling a business such as TUFC and I'm sure plans are in place for a promotion, stay where you are or a relegation, whatever occurs. Believe me, there are many football clubs operating in a higher Football League position who are in a far more perilous financial situation than Torquay United and I refer you back to the 'duck on the water' scenario in my earlier post!
I certainly don't mean to sound like a glass half empty kind of person but there are probably 92 other professional football clubs within the pyramid who have bigger attendances and bigger income streams than those at Plaimoor and while that should not mean a perennial struggle it sure means a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck is needed along the way each season, along with the odd injection of cash.
My wife and two other members of staff were made redundant, regardless of the right and wrongs and my opinion of that, what do you think that does for the mind set of those staff that remain. It doesn't mean any of them will lose their jobs but, for some of them, there is a self-perceived shadow hanging over them and coupled with the team on the pitch having a rough time the mood can be, at times, nothing short of depressing (don't forget I was at the club when we did make the drop, it was gut-wrenching).
I have fallen out of love with TUFC, for personal reasons, and I should also be honest and say that I am a massive, lifelong supporter of Ipswich Town (a glutton for punishment, I know) but if you will allow me to suggest that, at the danger of repeating myself, supporting the club doesn't mean you endorse the decisions of the manager, directors or even the players. TUFC is an entity in itself to be cherished by those of you who can see past the odd dodgy substitution, fall out between player and manager and bizarre ticketing arrangement by the admin team or whatever else you see going 'wrong'.
