Torquay respond after backlash over alleged complaint to swap team’s bus with supporters’ coach

Torquay respond after backlash over an alleged complaint to swap team’s bus with supporters’ coach following a 4-2 defeat away at Eastbourne.

It is claimed that when making their way home, the Torquay players complained that the TUFC Supporters Travel Club coach had more leg room and coaches were then swapped over, to suit the players.

Mark Shephard said: “Facts are, team coach broke down yesterday [Friday] enroute to their hotel, another coach was sorted for team but the team management felt coach was not acceptable and needed more leg room etc, it was then decided between club and coach company to swap coaches at ground with the travel club coach. It would have been nice to be involved in that discussion. We thank the drivers again for their efforts in getting us to games, We hope to be HOME soon!

Torquay United Travel Club wrote: “Sadly we are on our way home after a terrible trip, shocking performance and now have had to swap coaches, so POOR on Torquay Utd, do hope club & players enjoy our COACH! Big shout out to the four drivers on both coaches as you do such a great job and without you we don’t travel! As you all know I always appreciate the support the travel club gets from the FANS but today is hard one to take, the coach situation is shocking on top of such a long trip and day. We are finally on our way home without any points, safe trip all!”

Losing to the bottom team and then taking the coach from the Travel Club, not a great look from the club yesterday. Maybe we’ll hear something more about this today.. #tufc pic.twitter.com/ZiD0WrNAEj

— TORQUAYTALK (@TORQUAYTALK) February 22, 2026

CLUB STATEMENT:

Following discussions this morning with the Torquay United Supporters’ Trust (TUST), the club is aware of concerns and online speculation regarding supporter travel to and from Eastbourne on Saturday, and would like to take the opportunity to help clarify the situation.

The team travelled to Sussex on Friday and, due to two significant breakdowns en route, our official operator, Roselyn Coaches, arranged a temporary replacement transport to be sent to Reading at short notice to ensure the squad could reach the hotel in a timely fashion.

Roselyn agreed to supply a different coach for the club for the squad’s return journey after the match yesterday. We have since been informed by Roselyn that, for their operational reasons, the replacement vehicle being sent for the club’s return trip was used for the supporters’ outward journey to Eastbourne and allocations were then returned for the journey back to Devon.

The Torquay Supporters Travel Club (TSTC) is independent of Torquay United. As such, the club was not aware of any separate contractual arrangements between Roselyn Coaches and TSTC, including that Roselyn had provided a larger coach to TSTC than was originally contracted.

At no point did the club instruct that any supporters be removed from a coach, and at no time were any members of the squad or football management aware of the logistical discussions.

The Club has spoken to Roselyn this morning and understand an explanation was also provided by them directly to TSTC regarding the logistics for yesterday.

“We recognise emotions are running high after a disappointing result, and we are sorry for any disruption and confusion caused,” said TUFC Co-Chairman Michael Westcott.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all Torquay fans for their incredible support to the team, as always.”

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Eastbourne’s George Alexander scored either side of Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s leveller, then Arthur Grout made it 3-1.

An own goal from Jamie Searle gave Torquay some hope, but then Matt Burgess’ injury-time clincher sealed a much needed three points for the hosts.

The result leaves Eastbourne 23rd in the National League South table, with 28 points from 34 games played, 2 points from safety, but teams above them have games in hand. Torquay meanwhile are 2nd, with 57 points from 32 games played, but are 6 points behind leaders Dorking.

There was plenty of reaction as Torquay respond to backlash over an alleged complaint to swap the team’s bus with the supporters’ coach…

Keith Phillip Croker: 😂 there is no way that one of our players was stood outside the dressing room, spotting the best coach options – thinking “oh that’s better for us than the fans”! If there was a decision about swapping coaches, it would of purely been down to the coach company (with a mind as to who has a better contract value – which of course is the club over the supporters club (no offence to the travel club at all, but the players obvs come first). Hopefully everyone gets home in a good time and no major problems.

Ant Roach: Keith Phillip Croker nonsense, the supporters came up on that coach so should return on that coach, the coach was good enough for the players to travel up in on Friday so why not the journey back?

Keith Phillip Croker: Ant Roach that may be, but the company supplying the coach has thought about who is most valuable in terms of contact and gone with the club. It’s not to do a disservice to the travel club, who everyone knows is excellent, but more that they have to protect the contract of delivering to the club every game they go to.

Ant Roach: Keith Phillip Croker then give them the better coach to start with for the journey up… simples. They obviously didn’t think about values then.

Keith Phillip Croker: Ant Roach they did. It broke down; they made the best efforts to give the best options to the highest payers

Jennifer Jo: Keith Phillip Croker The coach company obviously make the final decision, however, I’m not sure you can make an argument of prioritising the team coach over the travel club coach, why upset one relationship for the benefit of another? Regardless. The fact the players, owners, whoever, stood by and allowed the fans to have to be delayed further, take all of their belongings off one coach and onto another after what they just paid to watch with a long journey there and back all for a bit of alleged legroom is disgraceful and it was always going to leave a sour taste.

Daniel Bearne: Keith Phillip Croker a coach is generally a coach so will look forward to the ‘justified’ reason, and if there isn’t one, this is an absolute disgrace.

Mark Shephard: Morning Keith, sadly yesterday was a complete joke really, appreciate your comments but no would was asked to offer swapping coaches, we were told to my drivers, a management decision, MW was complaining regards team coach which broke down on Friday enroute to team hotel, don’t think their will be any apologies/discounts/compensation, just a sad situation made worse by another terrible performance and defeat, don’t expect any contract from Torquay Utd either, but we (travel club) will be at Worthing Tuesday, on a minibus & and if club want that they can jog on, Enjoy your Sunday. Mark

@1899GM: Abit of extra context, The Supporters Club coach is an independent service, not in affiliation with TUFC.

@MiddyRed68: If this is true then the management and board at Torquay are weak and at fault for me. A really poor look for the club. A strong manager and captain shouldn’t have allowed that to happen.

@TUFC_CJ: Absolute woeful from the squad. Putting themselves first before the fans who spent their money to watch them play every week. Not been a good day for the club has it! 🤨

@Stevenorient: If correct, shame on @TorquayUnited_ and coach provider.

@ChatLeyton: Absolutely disgusting to do that to the fans

@francescalynn23: Poor do that! Should refund ticket and travel costs as a goodwill gesture at the least.

@_HarryAVFC: That is shocking. How dare they, club need to apologise in a statement

@grafter1899: That’s is absolutely scandalous after that performance, no shame

@Chris4RAFC: Never seen anything like that before plus if the supporters paid for the return journey why should they swap with the players , If i was a supporter i would be fuming

@bazzagarlow2: If you paid money to be on that bus, I’d have been travelling back with the first team because no fucking way would I be swapping buses not a fucking chance. Should’ve told them to fuck right off.

Michelle Harvey: Absolutely disgraceful behaviour from the players and management today. The Travel Club puts in countless miles and hard-earned money to follow and support this team. After enduring a long and difficult journey, they were served up yet another toothless performance — and that was bad enough. But to then hear that the players complained about their coach and expected the Travel Club to change arrangements after the game is beyond belief. These are hardworking supporters who, in many ways, help fund this club and the wages of those on the pitch. How entitled do these so called footballers think they are! The fans show commitment week in, week out. It’s about time that same commitment and appreciation was shown in return. Mark Shephard you deserve so much better

Jennifer Jo: Absolutely disgusting, fans that have paid their hard earned money being treated this way after a long journey and a terrible performance. I’m not sure where the entitlement is coming from but I think some need a bit of a reality check of where we are. Good job you ensure it is a positive experience no matter the circumstances Mark Shephard. One day you’ll get the appreciation and respect you deserve.

Ant Roach: Wtf is going on? having read of what happened to the travel club after the game today. I’m absolutely appalled by the contempt that is shown to the fans who keep this club alive. This would never happen at any other club. I’d love to hear Marc Whites views on how our travel club has been treated, he wouldn’t have any of it that’s for sure. Every one of those players and Management should chip in and refund every fan for their coach travel and entrance fee today. Absolute disgrace.