Torquay United Fans Forum

Just checked out the other site, I was not aware of it , I think it's cool

Mr legend , I am not weeping like a tap

We are not talking about some schoolboy training , your boy would have continued his education the day after being released, however I understand it would have really been uncomfortable for him and the family for a period of time , really glad he continued with his football

We signed a contract for a two year apprenticeship with TUFC , the contract has been broken as they cannot fulfil the youth team games

They will have to supply a suitable alternative whilst providing coaching , education, food and lodgings

Unfortunately the younger boys who had not yet started will find it more difficult to find something at this late stage

Not showing any disrespect to anyone , just a parent at the end of the day

Mr Legend. Ours sons are still under contract and will be paid for 12 months provided with coaching and football by TUFC regardless

If they want them off the TUFC payroll they really need to find suitable alternatives

Show a little respect

Evening , I am positive that that Dean, The Football League Education and even the old coaches are doing everything they can to help all the boys
But it's a place of work for the boys they need to be happy with what's available, it's not a case of signing for the 1st team that says yes
It requires careful consideration , location, accommodation , opportunity , they don't want to sign for someone just finish the education and be stuck on the bench every week

I really hope the Dean and the new people turn the club around as it has a place In my heart

Whilst I totally understand the club needs to reduce expenditure in all areas they have given no consideration to current youth team players under contract
Some of these boys left the family home at 16 to follow the dream of becoming a professional footballer, my son had a choice of a number of clubs but as a family we decided on Torquay.
The management team of Geoff , Kevin , Robbie gave us confidence that my son would be cared for correctly, coached correctly and that he would mature from boy to man on and off the field
He had a great 12 months and apparently was on track for a pro, then within the last week his whole world has fell apart whilst on holiday.
The whole youth coaching staff and 1st team management are surplus to requirement , then the youth department is closed
No one left in the club that has a clue if they have a player within the youth team that could well be a future asset to assist the club back into the football league. They could have a hidden gem actually within the current ranks under contract that they are prepared to throw on the scrap heap
I made the round trip to Torquay which is 520 miles on many occasions last season and also travelled to a lot of the away fixtures to watch the youth team, one things for sure I did not see any of the current board of directors stood on the touch line

I have taken over and turned around many broken business units, yes i have had to cut the cloth accordingly , but I have also assessed what I have before I start to make decisions on people's futures

My point is that these boys are actually under contract and can't simply be thrown on the scrap heap, TUFC has an obligation to provide education, football and food and lodgings to them

I believe some of the youth team players were informed last night that if you are local you may be kept on as an old style apprentice but the boys from out of town would not be given this option.

These boys want to play football, they have more dedication and desire than the majority of the 1st team had last season, they are much fitter than the majority of the 1st team from last season

I speak for them all not just my boy

Give them a chance, you may have that hidden gem

I love a bit of banter,never meant to wind you up

Sorry

Does it really matter who stays and who goes before you renew your season ticket - Is this why you are named The Gulls - You fly away and desert your nest when the going gets tough

you could always pop down to Exeter or to Plymouth, they are still in the Football League if that means more to you than your own Football Club

Coming From a Holiday Resort - You Should Be Like a Bar Of Rock - Torquay Running Through You

What about New Players Coming In that actually want to play - Not just seeing out a contract.

One Guarantee - You will win more Games Next Season than This Season - You Will Challenge For Promotion - Your Football Will Be More Enjoyable to watch

I have reviwed your progress for the last 16 Games - The Difference between Top and Bottom of division 2 is minimal - A bit of luck - Some More Goals - It could have been a different story.

When confidence is low players dont perform to the highest level through fear of not being able to deliver, they change the playing style, decision making is affected, moral is low

Hargreaves needs time to pick his own players and develop them as a team - A blend of Old and New, Experience and Youth - Make Your Home Ground a Fortress - A Difficult Place To Play -Build A Winning Mentality.

You will also have some bad weeks at the office and you must learn how to lose and recover quickly, move onto the next challenge and learn from previous mistakes

You cant shape the past but you can affect the future

By The Way - I was going to purchase a Man United Season Ticket but they sacked David Moyes and its not so appealing anymore as i really enjoyed the run of form they produced under him

I travel 520 miles to watch a game - Is that Commitment??

Motorman

Well Done to Chaney, Parcell and the Youth Team Management at TUFC on producing two lads worthy of a pro this year

I notice that some one is expecting Harrop and his Team to produce players overnight, if the boys locally are not good enough, the management team must look at players out of the area and believe me it's hard to attract young players away from the family home to travel for the dream of becoming a professional footballer

Home grown talent will develop but not overnight, I believe that Torquay start at under 10, Harrop and co therefore could have hand picked next years under 15 squad at the age of 10 ,they will also have picked up raw talent at various age groups throughout the years.

This seasons Boys awarded with Pro Contracts were young school boys when they arrived in Torquay, they have been developed as footballers and men under the supervision of the TUFC YOUTH set up at GULLS LODGE. The boys that have been released have also had an opportunity to develop as footballers and learned some important Life skills arriving as boys and leaving as men whilst also being educated to A level standard and achieving a level 2 Coaching badge

I think Chaney and Parcell are from London , so not only did Harrop and the team spot some raw talent they developed it and worked hard to encourage parents to let these schoolboys move away from the family home at the age of 16

Your Big Premier League Teams don't sign many local boys they also get the best talent they can attract with the pulling power and money they have

I speak from experience that the Youth Team Management and set up you have at your club is one to be proud of, the work ethic and enthusiasm behind the scenes is unbelievable

Harrop and Co are sewing the seeds for a bright future and they are attracting players from all over England , Wales ,Ireland and Europe due to contacts they have and constantly watching games at all levels looking for the raw talent that they can develop over a two year apprenticeship or in the Academy set up so they can develop a local boy into an apprentice

Thea and the TUFC Board and Supporters should be proud of the way these two boys have matured and I am sure that Hargreaves and his management team will give them opportunity to kick on again next season as they continue with the development from schoolboy to pro

Let's Hope that the Gulls can bounce straight back up , but it won't all be about budget available as you can't buy success

Hard work, belief, teamwork, youth, experience all need to blend along with Trust in the Board Management and each other

Motorman