Torquay United Fans Forum

I presume the club going bust would reflect badly on the Clarke Osborne brand - makes his bullsh*t tale even less believable for the next venture.

Therefore he still has a vested interested in getting the club sold as a going concern to someone who has the funds to invest. He can then spin this whole venture as him saving the club, selflessly investing £5m and finding a good buyer.

Even though his time at Torquay has hugely undermined my assumption that he is a shrewd businessman (he seems to be the only person in Torbay who didn’t foresee this conclusion), he will want to end it in the right way for selfish reasons.

There is no way Pete J is not still being paid. He clung on at Cheltenham for 2 months after his brother was sacked, despite having been doing a shite job for them too.

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The brother stuck around after Gary was relieved at Cheltenham so he may still be haggling for a payoff..!

According to the 2022 accounts the club had an average of 54 employees in the year (up from 47 the year before). I assume this includes all players including any contracted youth players, management, directors, physio and admin/back office folks.

£100k a month (if this number is intended to reflect gross salaries for all employees, ex. NIC) would imply an average salary of £24k per employee.

Obviously some would be on much more and many on less, so it is really hard to judge, but this feels a little on the high side to me given the number of junior players and part time employees included within that number.

Massive reaction. 3-1

Louis wrote: ↑22 Feb 2024, 19:13 Agree. Another failed stadium plan to add to his portfolio of failed projects. Glad Torquay never got an Ikea in place of its ground unlike Bristol Rovers!

And as was claimed in each prior case, the reason for his Torquay project failing was of course… “circumstances beyond my control”. Wonder who he will choose to blame this time around.

About what?

There were two possible outcomes, OC left after screwing the club and making a fortune or OC leaving with his tail between his legs and taking a hit in the pocket.

Neither was ever going to be good for the club, but I am bloody pleased it is the second of the two scenarios.

Colorado wrote: ↑20 Feb 2024, 04:10 There is nothing inherently wrong with being a “money man”as an owner of a football team. Money men create jobs, create opportunities that allow managers to create great teams. I dare say few of us have the balls or guts to put our money where our mouth is like they do. So please let’s not villify money men.

He didn’t vilify money men, he simply stated that’s what he is and that’s how to get his attention. And he’s right on both counts.

In my view, it is a matter of time before he convinces the council to sign over Plainmoor. We need to do something before that moment, otherwise all is lost.

If we go up it will be in spite of Johnson. He has to go regardless as we cannot only start playing football in the final third of the season!

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Osborne will be choking on his Sunday morning croissant with glee reading this thread.

What seems an honest attempt to raise the profile of our challenge and let the ownership know we are serious and united as a fan base and it gets attacked from fellow fans.

TUST may not speak for all, but as we will never find a consensus on any issue across our disparate fanbase, it’s the best chance we have of an organised fight back.

LikeaPatOutaHele wrote: ↑17 Feb 2024, 17:03 Game after game, week after week, month after month, failure after failure. Not since the dire days of Dave W*** have I felt so despondent. The managers signings, the managers picks, the managers tactics, the managers organisation. This is killing the club.
What hold does Johnson have over the ownership?
Is it just money?
Does he have compromising photographs?
Are they lovers?
Can anybody explain why Gary Johnson still here?
Please please please go. I seriously think almost anyone would be an improvement.

He is the perfect distraction from the real devil and can be sacked at an opportune moment to buy just a little more time until the stadium deal is complete.

Edited.