Torquay United Fans Forum

What a kick in the gut that was. First time at a Plainmoor for a while, I turned to my son and said they’ll grab this if we aren’t careful. Then when it looked like we had a point in the bag of course the inevitable happened. I really do believe we deserved something from the game. With such a big lump up top in Matt Rhead, perhaps Gerring would have been the better choice, moving GG into defensive position higher up the field.
I don’t think much fault can be picked with the display. Some good football played at times, we’ll certainly be ok this season.
The substitution fiasco was a bit strange. Chaney waiting to come on for the best part of ten minutes by which time we were almost into the 86th minute with plenty of breaks in play to bring him on. By the that point we were running on empty and perhaps more effort could have been made to made to get a triple substitution onto the field and to get the referee’s attention. The officiating was certainly very poor.

chestertorkyman wrote:I reckon that part of the blame lies with wearing a horrible Newcastle kit. Not even yellow collar, cuffs and socks. Did not look like a Torquay team. Oh, and for gods sake shut that drummer up. His drum may suit a full Wembley but was far too big and loud for Moss Rose and It spoils the game for a lot of supporters

It was what a Torquay team looked like for atleast half a century. Oh yeah we were also nicknamed the Magpies....

The away kit looks class.

Great effort on the drum again Danny it's always appreciated and certainly does create an atmosphere at some of the dire grounds we find ourselves in! I love it.

Not overly concerned, just yet. We were well off the pace today which did suprise me a little as much emphasis was focused on the new fitness regime during pre-season. Defensive frailties exposed which we knew was going to happen.

We were lacking cohesion in midfield and linkup play was poor. These are things that can be improved and worked on, however, we need a more gutsy performance than that if we are going to have a less stressful season than last. I think I'm going to give it the infamous 'let's see where we are after 10 games' benchmark.

Great news all round!
I would like to see Butler tied down if possible and I would say the spine is pretty much there.
Reports that Moore is talking to a MLS side aren't suprising. MLS or Conference National...you decide. Could depend on whether he starts regularly though and Nico can offer him that.
Starting to feel optimistic for the season...but then thats protocol for this time of year.
However I must say, nice work so far Nico!

We should make sure the new owners get a how to speak Deb'm guide. Being a 6th gen Devonian I'll see if my Nan can help with some of the phrases

Thanks for the welcome!

My knowledge of stadium development doesn't expand that far unfortunately. It's probably on par with a slug.

I would be as sad as any other supporter to see us leave Plainmoor. However, I wouldn't begrudge the club any oportunity it has has to move forward. If that oportunity presents itself, as long as things are done right, then why not move to a new stadium. As a club we have just been the brink, maybe this is our coming back. If it helps to secure the future of TUFC for generations to come then yes, I'm all for it.

Coincidently it has been revealed this morning that Dave Phillips has come out and said that we could be in a new stadium within 2 to 3 years!

I would argue that the Ricoh was way too ambitious from the start and even had to be scaled back to the size it is now. I don't think is it comparable to TUFC's situation and would point to clubs, who, are a similar size to us, have moved to a new stadium with new facilities with relative success. Morecambe, Shrewsbury and Burton all spring to mind.

We aren't talking about a 45, 000 seater with retracting roof and hard floor for concerts (which was originally planned for the Ricoh) to host Yellowfest once a year, we are talking about a sustainable, compact and streamlined stadium complex that not only serves Torquay United but the local community and surrounding population, fit for purpose and fit for the 21st century. The Hive (albeit with superior transport links) would be an example I would look towards. It's also been mentioned, for GI, that with no football club, there would be no revenue. So what would be the point of having a stadium on the outskirts of town with no tennant and no revenue, you are right it would be business suicide.

I am as dubious as any other fan at the moment, about the length of time this takeover is taking. However, I would like to think that the length of time represents the fact that a sitituation like the Ricoh will not happen, and that David Phillips is making sure that every single aspect of this deal is being paid the minutae attention it deserves.

This is all of course still, speculation only.

Gullscorer wrote:A move to a new stadium is essential if the club is to survive well into the 21st century. With all the revenue streams this would provide, the club would be in a long-term sustainable situation

Absolutely, just think of the potential revenue streams that would come with such a move and the chance to annex those revenue streams to the stadium. A restaurant or bar, a public gym, a 3G pitch, a futsal sports hall, training pitches, extra parking charges etc.

I'm not saying this would be a huge stadium complex and it would have to meet the need of the local demographic, however the potential is there to be able to streamline those revenues and make them profitable. To state the obvious there would have to be something in it for both GI and TUFC and the devil is certainly in the detail, talks over something like that would be substantial and would clearly take some time to get moved through. There are plenty examples where a move to a new stadium has worked with a similar set-up. Perhaps there is something bigger in the wings that we aren't expecting. The recent opening of the bypass and the green light for a new train station at Edginswell lends itself nicely for a move to the outskirts of town.

It would a surprise if Steve Breed doesn't get more an acknowledgement after his departure, I am sure he will. With regards to Nicho's 3 year contract I must admit I raised an eyebrow. I think due to the fact it's a rare thing to come across in football nowadays, more so in recent years.

However, the decisiveness from the board, I feel, is a positive sign. 'This is our man and we will get him signed up for this amount of time'. It has kept the momentum moving forward. The pre-season can now be approached in the appropriate way, this has to start with the retention of a strong nucleus from the current squad. I'm sure Kevin has already started with that process.

There is still the lurking figure in the shadows that is GI. I think the decision to take on Nicho, with the contract he has been given is a message of intent to the prospective new owners. I'm not about to dwell on how that situation will unfold. What I will do (for how long I do not know) is enjoy the moment. We currently have everything in place to move the club forward to those long awaited better days.