New Chairman/Chairwoman - Thea Bristow

[hector]

I'm not sure why people appear to be so worried about this decision being made before the end of the season. I really cannot see that it will make a jot of difference to what goes on, on the pitch.

I think Simon Baker is a decent man who seems much maligned simply because he had the - what was likely a notional - title of Chairman. I cannot imagine he was a Batesonesque despot wielding power and making all decisions himself. Perhaps no one else wanted the job. Perhaps still, no one wants it and neither does he and Thea is the only one who will do it.

Perhaps Simon Baker has pulled a crafty one and didn't want to be the Chairman who took TUFC out of the league and has passed that inglorious mantle onto Thea, so she will go down in history as chair the day TUFC lost their league status!!!

[royalgull]

Bizarre timing, but to be honest I don't really care. This 'consortium' appear to be taking it in turns in different jobs and it shouldn't make a massive amount of difference to anything. I don't know enough about the ins and outs of it all to know what so and so was doing right or wrong so I'm not going to comment too much on it all.

It keeps the Bristow family involved in the club so that has to be a good thing from a financial point of view.

[Fonda]

I don’t know a lot about what’s involved in the role of Chairman. But it seems like quite an important position within the set-up. It just sounds like it might be. That being the case, is it really sensible to award the role to random people on some kind of timeshare basis, just because it’s a ‘nice’ thing to do? There has to be more to the role than who sits at the head of the table in board meetings surely? Some kind of experience would be helpful, wouldn’t it? We’re not Sunday League yet. Can we not at least try and behave a bit more professionally sometimes?

[hector]

I don’t know a lot about what’s involved in the role of Chairman. But it seems like quite an important position within the set-up. It just sounds like it might be. That being the case, is it really sensible to award the role to random people on some kind of timeshare basis, just because it’s a ‘nice’ thing to do? There has to be more to the role than who sits at the head of the table in board meetings surely? Some kind of experience would be helpful, wouldn’t it? We’re not Sunday League yet. Can we not at least try and behave a bit more professionally sometimes?

I think you are right. I guess with Thea Bristow assuming the role of chair it could be because of two or more scenarios...although just two I can think of.

1) She has sort of been 'persuaded' as no one else can be bothered with the hassle. It is also a move that is perhaps self-protecting on part of the club. Whilst a few were starting to get on the back of Simon Baker, I don't suppose many would aim abuse at a widow who had pumped thousands of pounds into the club.

2) You cannot escape the fact that Thea is a wealthy lady after her lottery win and maybe she wants a bigger say in where her money goes...or the optimistic part hopes that perhaps she is looking to invest a bit more to protect her husbands legacy.

She admits herself that she has a lack of knowledge about football. Will she be equipped to represent the club at whatever it is chairman do? Will it be a bit 'Lew Pope' ish?

Anyway, as far as I am concerned it is not the worst news. I feel sure she is a lady who wants the best for TUFC, so she has my support.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Cheers for the explanation Glos. I'm still confused as to why this DTG geezer reckons the signing of Billy Bodin has anything to do with the Thea Bristow being some sort of business administration doyen (is there a feminine equivalent of this word?), but it's nice to be aware of yet another three letter acronym.

Matt.

If the Jag is still knocking about, I would happily enslave myself to you as your chauffeur.

Doyenne?

[Dave]

Agreed hector, Budliegh alluded to the fact she was probably going to take over as chairman next season anyway,and I have been saying all the way down the thread, it no doubt has been done early to fend off bad feeling against Simon baker and the board in general.

[Behind-the-Gulls]

This throws a bit more light on the situation. http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Thea- ... z2Q3s6tfxB

[Dave]

Looks like the page has been taken down, can you give a brief run down of what it said ?

[ferrarilover]

It's still there Dave, click the link, click Sport, the article is among the list which appears. It gives some answers and points towards the timing of the decision being somewhat dictated by circumstances beyond their control, rather than the rampant amateurism being claimed by some.

.

[Behind-the-Gulls]

Basically Baker says it was dificult to get timing right but it wasn't a sudden decision(to step down).
Thea is the logical chairman because of her fantastic financial support for club.
Baker says she is a "very bright woman "and because not a businesswoman as such,sees things from a different perspective.
Were going to make these changes earlier,but didn't do so because of the Martin Ling situation.
Baker says he had wanted to stand down for sometime and,never intended to be chair for so long.Decided to make changes now,rather than end of season,"when there could be other big decisions to make".
Also said they have now got "a larger and stronger group of people running the club,and that they are all united going into what is an enormous game against Barnet on Saturday".

[PhilGull]

Thea Bristow interview on Spotlight tonight, http://www.torquayunited.com/news/artic ... 64692.aspx.

Sky channel 967 for those of us outside the south west.

[Dave]

Thanks B-T-G , Matt when I clicked the link it said page not found, no longer availble.

[budleigh]

Very good picture on the OS of Thea... Got to love the advertising. Tick tock!

[ferrarilover]

Thanks B-T-G , Matt when I clicked the link it said page not found, no longer availble.

That's why I gave you the follow up instructions. Honestly Davidoff, honestly. :no:

Matt.

[tauntongull]

Thought the BBC Spotlight feature was a bit pointless really - didn't tell us anything of any real value.

For those that missed it, judge for yourself. Link below is to the iPlayer feature - fast forward to 20:05 to get straight to it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 0_04_2013/