Torquay United Fans Forum

Southampton Gull wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 16:32 This article is quite damning of the clubs owner and his 'plans' for a new stadium.

https://www.devonlive.com/sport/sport-o ... 067493.amp

I think it highlights what most of us think - what is does not tell us is what is the lesser of multiple bad options. There's a reason why frogs can't jump backwards.

There was a rebirth at Macclesfield when a businessman decided to invest and brought in a sports personality for a 20% in the business. In the business owners own words “I was looking at every opportunity to get multiple income streams into the club to support a first team. I knew we needed a big budget to compete.” He goes on to say “It’s a seven-day operation" spending 4.2 millions just to get it to the starting point. I could go on but I think you get the point - there is no way a club can be successful on a shoe-string budget. Better to use Nuneaton Town supporters phoenix club as an example where without additional investment or new investors to provide financial support, the club is unable to continue trading to which the club said is due to "insurmountable challenges in maintaining operations"

Colorado wrote: ↑29 Jan 2024, 17:39
What would be the next steps in forming a Phoenix club.

Hopefully we could apply to join the Western Premier League and play the likes of Brixham and Buckland. Not forgetting all the thrills and spills of the Les Phillips Cup. Who'd be the manager? well we would need someone better than we have got now to manage a penniless 9th tier part-time league side. Cant' wait!

Dave wrote: ↑29 Jan 2024, 20:28 Being honest I haven't watched the highlights, I'm going on match reports and being fair from TUFC fans who were at the game suggesting Lovett took down Pearce, with the ref giving a corner.

I was in line view and Lovett made the save with Pearce running into Lovett's outstretched arm and doing the obliquity fall for a penalty claim. Ref was in a good position to see it and gave the corner. As for the penalty claim on Ash I was too far away to be sure although the highlights make it look a 'stonewall' penalty. The problem is Ash made about three half-hearted claims for penalties before that so wonder if the ref was just blind-sided and went "not again".

De Silva
Ethon Archer

That's as far as I go on commending players

Well maybe also Dawson and Acheampong for their audacity in taking the Kings shilling.

Cheddargull wrote: ↑27 Jan 2024, 15:00 Kevin Foster, the local MP, says he talked to the council leadership. All the council did was give the club a polite hearing and reiterated that Plainmoor is NOT for sale, they also queried how the club intended to finance any development.
In other words nothing is going to happen so stop worrying.

7 years since the takeover and 7 million squid loan investment all for one polite chat over tea and biscuits. Something is not adding up. I think we have lots to worry about. Something will happen. Either the development goes ahead or Uncle Clarke walks. Which is the worst of two evils? Will there be enough passion in the Bay to restart and follow in Tier 9 'Western League'' playing the likes of Nailsea & Tickenham FC. However, we will still be playing at Plainmoor which is what appears to count.

North Curry House wrote: ↑27 Jan 2024, 17:04 You took the words right out of my mouth. Another pathetic powderpuff performance, tooany weak links. Another red card, so Moxey can have next week off.

Don't know if you were there North Curry, but the team did put effort into the game, we were just outclassed which is as bad within itself. A neutral would have thought it a good game to watch. As for Moxey's red card - well it was obvious the ref was handing out yellow cards for dissent like confetti so why did our players keep doing it. It became obvious someone would get sent off for one bad tackle. Falling short in so many games speaks volumes in that our squad is not strong enough to win anything from this league this season. I hope Uncle Clarke's proposal includes building a new team as well as a new stadium.

Minneapolisgull wrote: ↑26 Jan 2024, 19:29 Should I stay or should I go? Any advice would be appreciated!

As the Clash sang:

I'll be here 'till the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

GO! I'll buy you a pint. It appears more that half our ticket allocation has been sold so still plenty keeping the faith.

I do fully understand supporters reservations I was one of the first to 'hit the roof' when the proposal of a new stadium was initially announced. Nevertheless, whichever way the wind blows the risk of losing our football club through financial turmoil exists be it through stagnation or development. One has to sit on one side of the fence so I've decided to be positive rather than negative about the future development of the club. We can't remain in the 'Ark' for ever, so I await with anticipation of what the 'Promised Land' is to look like. If upon the release of the proposaI I smell a rat I will be as vocal as anyone.

'Uncle Clarke' was right in one thing ' In football there’s a lot of emotion, ego and personalities'.

gullsgullsgulls wrote: ↑26 Jan 2024, 11:36 It is not the councils job to risk taxpayers money on these follies...

But happy to have taxpayers money tied up in the freehold of Plainmoor?

Not everything is as it always seems. If you look deeper into this story it appears as much to do with Reading Council's incompetence as to 'Uncle Clarke's' efforts.

https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local ... ce-4202306

I reiterate my previous post Torbay Council "must be prepared to make a long-term commitment and be prepared to risk the councils own capital" before granting permission on any proposal. If the proposal is that good the council should have nothing to worry about.

Football is not a normal business, our club is woven into the fabric of the community and so the council need to act earlier in any negotiations (i.e. 50% council ownership of any stadium built under a non-resale/non sub-let leasehold of 99 years) to prevent any future Bristol or Brighton or Coventry scenario and finding ourselves a club without a home. I have no issue with 'Uncle Clarke making profits from associated leisure facilities, that is his business right but the council must not play lip-service to any proposal. They must be prepared to make a long-term commitment and be prepared to risk the councils own capital. If the proposal is that good there should be no future issues for the council to worry about. If they get it wrong then they pay the price.

I've penciled in the diary to attend this match but I do not fancy our chances. Nonetheless, for illogical and foolish emotions I just cannot give Worthing the win.

Worthing 0 - 1 Torquay

Ever the optimist

Skillsy wrote: ↑22 Jan 2024, 23:43 Totally agree, Brewers.

All seater stadiums have killed the atmosphere at most grounds, keeping the terraces is essential.
We have a smashing little ground, big enough for whichever league we are ever likely to be in. Of course, we rely on money being put in but if the current owners pull out I would have no problem if we had to go part time - there are several NLS teams who are part time who are doing well.

Like Taunton? Sorry - disagree on this one. The clubs survival will be reliant on a new stadium and leisure facilities, capable of bringing revenue to the club 364 days and nights per year (be it full-time or semi professional). Plainmoor surrounded on all sides by housing and a school, lack of parking and no room to provide any leisure facilities puts the club 'at risk' from financial difficulties if sustainable sources of additional incomes are not created for the long term. If 'Uncle Clarke' decides to call it a day who is going to fork out a million squid a season to prop the club up. It's a question worth consideration.

Cheddargull wrote: ↑21 Jan 2024, 12:28 In his post match interview Johnson says the club is as much his as it is the fans because he's been hear a long time.
Christ he's been a paid employee for five years, there are fans in attendances who can recall the O'Farrell era. Where does the man's arrogance end and his humility begin.

For me what Johnson appears to be alluding too is despite the pressures to win every match he is still committed to the cause and enjoys his work and time at Torquay. Even though he is a paid employee that commitment ought to be commendable, There was a time when loyalty was supposed to mean something. There’s no getting away from the fact we are in a battle for promotion this season, but the picture is clear in terms of what Johnsons wants to try and achieve, and it’s a challenge. To this end, how would sacking an experienced manager like some expendable pawn push the club further forward other than having more pressure heaped upon the next poor sucker to remain in a play-off spot and guarantee us promotion to satisfy entitled fans. Just saying!