Update given on Torquay United’s future with hope new owners can be found

An update has been given on Torquay United’s future with fresh hope that new owners can be found to save the club from the brink.

The Gulls currently sit 11th in the National League South, but administration would see the club handed a 10-point deduction if they go into administration.

This would seem them drop down to 19th place and at serious risk of relegation to the 7th tier of English football.

The chairman of the Torquay United Supporters’ Trust said to BBC Sport that he’s confident that the club will be taken over, a week on from owner Clarke Osborne announcing his intention to appoint administrators as well as putting them up for sale.

“There are a significant number of people who are seriously interested,” Nick Brodrick said.

“We have to let due process take its course and see what develops as the days go by.

“I firmly believe that there is going to be a takeover, there will be someone who will take over Torquay United.

“There will be a football club in Torbay that’s going to continue.

“We’ve had 125 years of Torquay United and we want another 125 years ahead for future generations to be able to go to Plainmoor to watch their football.”

“The message now is to see if we can keep those attendance figures up or better them for the remaining home matches of this season,” he said.

“Every penny counts. Every person who pays to come through the turnstiles, every person who goes into the bars and buys a drink, everyone who goes into the club shop and buys merchandise, that’s all key money that’s really important, especially to keep paying the players and staff wages for March.”

Torquay travel to Weymouth on Saturday, with the Terras donating £5 from every away ticket sold to the Torquay United Supporters’ Trust to help go towards funding the club in the coming weeks.

“It just shows the love there is for Torquay United,” Brodrick adds.

“Not just people who live in Torbay, but there are fans all around the world.

“When situations like this arise people talk about the football family, but it is true, there is a football family out there

“Rivalry on the pitch is put to one side when clubs are in trouble, and there are so many people who have stepped forward to offer support, in some cases financial support, to help TUST and help the football club, it’s been brilliant.”

“The dedicated support staff have bene phenomenal this last week,” he told BBC Radio Devon.

“The news that they heard on Thursday could have been absolutely devastating and broken a few people.

“We all know what it’s been like this last week, but the resilience, the character, the support, the understanding that our staff, on and off the pitch, have shown this week has been unbelievable.

“It’s been very humbling, so hopefully we can put on a performance that is worthy of the support they’ve shown to this football club.”

🟡 An Update For Supporters

With Torquay United recently serving notice of its intention to appoint administrators, the Club would like to provide the Yellow Army with an update regarding the current situation.

👉 https://t.co/w3eupUh0kN#tufc pic.twitter.com/GyhfcdiLmg

— Torquay United AFC (@TUFC1899) February 28, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

With Torquay United recently serving notice of its intention to appoint administrators, the Club would like to provide the Yellow Army with an update regarding the current situation.

Everyone at Plainmoor is fully aware that all supporters will understandably have been shocked and concerned at the news last week, and therefore the Club will be doing its utmost to keep fans updated as much as possible throughout the course of this ongoing process.

Everyone at Plainmoor would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has given so generously to help keep Torquay United alive.

The sight – and noise – of packed-out stands on Saturday gave the whole Club a huge lift, and the financial boost received from that bumper attendance, in addition to the extra revenue gained from 50/50 sales, Club Shop merchandise, programmes, pre-match meals, mascot bookings, sponsorship and bar takings cannot be under-estimated.

We hope that everyone enjoyed the match against Aveley, and you can be assured that the side – led by Interim Manager Aaron Downes – will be giving it their all during the final weeks of the season. With 12 games, and 36 points remaining, there’s still plenty to play for out on the pitch!

Off the pitch, there is no doubt that the last few days have been difficult for anyone that holds Torquay United close to their heart. The professionalism and character shown by all the Club’s employees during the past few days is testament to their commitment to the cause, with players, management, coaching and backroom staff all coming together for one common cause.

In adversity, strength can often found, and in the past few days, that strength has undoubtedly been boosted by you, our loyal and devoted supporters. We can’t thank you enough.

The Club has received countless messages of support from all across the world, and every single one has served to further the determination of all at Plainmoor to save this special Football Club, and ensure it has a brighter future ahead of its 125-year anniversary in May.

Supporters can be assured that all money being paid into the Club – be it via tickets, purchases or donations, will ONLY be used to ensure the Club’s essential operating costs are met – in effect, to help Torquay United continue functioning as a professional Football Club, and fulfilling its fixtures, until a new owner is found. Your money will NOT be used in any other way.

We are aware that there has been a lot of discussion, particularly on social media, on what is the best way for supporters to donate to Torquay United.

Many supporter groups have set up their own fundraising methods, with some of these directly benefitting the Club, and some funding other independent initiatives.

Any supporter groups that would like the funds they have raised to be used by Torquay United to continue meeting its essential costs are kindly asked to transfer the donations to our Donations PayPal account HERE.

We would like to stress that any supporter wishing to make a donation is entitled to donate their money to whatever cause they wish.

However, with so much goodwill being shown by so many people, the Club wishes to clarify that only by paying donations directly into our designated PayPal account can supporters be guaranteed that these funds will be used to ensure Torquay United continues to function during this uncertain period.

Now is not the time for division – only unity, and we wholeheartedly appreciate everyone that is continuing to help keep YOUR Club afloat at this time.

Following the news that Torquay United AFC intends to appoint an administrator, the Club has been inundated with messages of support and offers of assistance from not only the Yellow Army, and local community, but also the wider footballing family.

On behalf of everyone here at Plainmoor, the Club would like to express its heartfelt gratitude and thanks for everyone that has taken the time to contact us, during what is obviously a very difficult period.

Behind the scenes, the Club is working on a number of new and exciting ventures to help raise funds to help safeguard United’s immediate future, and we look forward to providing more details regarding these soon. We greatly appreciate all the ideas we’ve received from the Yellow Army so far – please keep them coming!

A number of supporters have generously offered to donate funds in order to help assist the Club, and with this in mind, the Club has now set up the following link to enable any fans wishing to make donations via PayPal.

It should be stressed that all donations received by this method will only be used to ensure essential operating costs are met, and to help the Club continue to function as a professional football club.

To donate and help keep YOUR Football Club alive, please click on the link below

DONATE NOW

Meanwhile, any parties who would like to express their interest in investing in the Club, are requested to email secretary@torquayunited.com

On Saturday, matters on the pitch will thankfully take precedence once again – under the guidance of new interim manager Aaron Downes. The Gulls will be looking to put a smile back on everyone’s faces with three points against Aveley, and we’d love to have as many of you cheering on the lads there as possible to help them do that!

Come On You Yellows!

Twitter users reacted with an update given on Torquay United’s future with hope new owners can be found…

@HarrisonThorne5: Still can’t get over this transparency and honesty from the club. It is actually quite overwhelming compared to the dictatorship we had before. Keep it up.

@TUFCxCFCenjoyer: There’s been more communication in the past 5 days than the last 6 years and I love it 💛

@RichHeesem: Thank you so much for this update and for the transparency in your communications recently. Credit where it is due to those employees involved. #oneclubunited

@Stephen34006515: Good luck, Torquay. Never nice to see any club go through this. So hope you get a new owner ASAP and get you through this. A hereford fan 🖤🐮🤍

@IFaustus: Given the no doubt sensitive nature of some of the behind the scenes activity, this is a greatly appreciated update – thanks

@scottyp_1991: That’s a great update. Well done to all involved and wishing torquay all the very best 💛🐺💛

@pj_perkins: The openness now on show at the club is so refreshing. Thank you 💛💙

@QswannT: @RonaldKoeman are you still looking for a team? 💛💙

@NotLeeKirkman: Torquay United will never die… #YellowArmy

@WAFC_Rob: Always followed Torquay and go to matches when I’m down visiting family. Hope you ride this out and come out stronger

@Winstanley_74: Simply incredible, thank you to everyone who’s helping us through this, let’s keep fighting altogether! 💪🏻🟡🔵 Yellows! 🟡🔵

@Tufc_Ultra: This is a very welcomed change by the club, constant updates and fan engagement is amazing to see. Also nice to know that there’s been a lot of interest in the club, hopefully means we can whittle down to the right one who wants to see this club kick on #tufc

@upthegulls94: Cautious optimism. 💛

@zakw91: All fans should make their effort and get to Weymouth this weekend to cheer the lads on, massive final 12 games.

@Tristan24_K: Can’t lose Torquay, top club in a tough time