Torquay United Fans Forum

With the ongoing uncertainty about when football supporters will be able to return to sports stadiums, I wanted to make our members aware that should the absence continue for a large part of this season (at the time of writing some analysts fear it could be another 6 months), the Steering Group will consider extending membership in to the 2021/22 season at little or no extra cost. This decision will be made once we know whether or not it is going to be safe to organise activities and events during the current season. Unfortunately, that seems unlikely in the foreseeable future.. For now, we must continue to act in accordance with Government guidelines and of course do everything we can to keep ourselves, and others, safe.
Andrew Candy
Acting Chairman

At the time of writing, the uncertainty over when and how spectators will be allowed to return to sporting events remains unresolved. A reduction in capacity is inevitable, at least in the short to medium term, and therefore having a season ticket would seem to be a minimum requirement, and as these quickly disappear the remaining tickets could be as hard to source as a Golden Ticket to Willy Wonker's Chocolate Factory. It might also be a good time to reconsider becoming a member of the Official Supporters Club as a way of keeping in touch with life at Plainmoor once football resumes in October. Given the premature end to last season, we hope to relaunch the Supporters Club as soon as the Government guidelines are known and we can firm up our ideas within the rules on social distancing etc. Watch this space and of course, keep safe".
Andrew Candy
Acting Chairman.

Thank you Graham,
I will keep a note of all the ideas raised by supporters and then approach the Club to see what they think. I like your idea and hopefully it is one that we can have a go at. Stay safe and thanks again. Best regards, Andrew

As the period of “lock-down” continues with no immediate resolution in sight, looking after ourselves and each other must remain the priority for us all. However, I think that it is also important that we maintain a positive frame of mind and use this time to think about ways that we, as supporters, might be able to help the Club when the new normality appears. Therefore, if anyone has any ideas or suggestions that might help us and the Club, then please let me know. I can then take these forward and see what can be achieved in conjunction with the Club. As soon as the moment is right, we will all be back at Plainmoor and hopefully, there will be many exciting occasions and events to look forward to. Until then, please stay safe and follow the Government’s instructions on social distancing.

With the breaking news that football won't return to Plainmoor this current season, I wanted to send my own message to everyone connected with the Club to take care, stay positive and most importantly, to follow all the well-publicised health measures. It is impossible at the moment to know when Plainmoor will be open again to competitive football, but when it does the Supporters Club and the Football Club will undoubtedly celebrate that moment in an appropriate way. From a distance, we have touched on planning a joint venture, but the precise detail won’t be completed until the opportunity to hold social gatherings is far more advanced than it is at the time of writing. For now, it is important that the Club carries on looking after the playing and non-playing staff and anyone else that looks to the Club for support. As supporters, we must be ready to help when the moment arrives for that to be relevant, but for now the message is quite simple, stay safe.

A successful launch on Saturday plus 3 valuable points on the pitch. A good day! It was good to meet so many supporters in Boots & Laces and thank you to those who signed up as members. We will be in Boots each match day at Plainmoor so please come and say hello. More details, including a Membership Form are on the website www.tuafcsupportersclub.co.uk
Also if any other Torquay United supporters groups around the country want to discuss ways of helping each other, please get in touch.
Thank you.
Andrew

No problem Will and thank you Teigngull.

Hi View1
I will speak with the Steward Manager to find out why this was said especially as I had no knowledge of being asked to see you at half time or phoning you after the game. I will be at the game tomorrow so happy to meet with you at around 2.30pm? If you ask for me at Main Reception I should have finished the stewards briefing and other match day checks by then.
Best regards,
Andrew

Hi View1
I only work at the Club on a part-time basis which does not include Fridays so I am sorry I was not at the Club when you called in. I am not aware of any messages to contact you (but that might be because I have not been in the office since Tuesday) which I would have done as a matter of principal and courtesy. I am not directly involved in the ticketing side but if there is anything I can do going forward then please let me know. My email is [email protected]
Best regards,
Andrew

Hi Swatcat, I don't think its me you know. I have no association with Guy for Toys although occasionally I am accused of throwing them out of my pram!

Thank you Yorkieandy, not sure about the lanyard though but appreciate the sentiment!

Must just say thank you to Southampton Gull for his very kind words. That's it from me now as I think we can put this one to bed.

Thank you Busterjames. No damage done so lets just move on. I do provide feedback to my manager (non-playing side) on a range of issues raised on social media generally which in the past has seen some things change.

I am not really supposed to comment on forums but in the circumstances I think it appropriate that I try and clarify why I think Busterjames has made this comment. I believe it relates to a disagreement last Saturday about one of the ball boys and his perceived lack of action. The ball boy in question is my grandson who is 8 years old and only started helping out at the Club as they are often short of ball boys. He is still learning and generally does a good job. He will be the only ball boy present no doubt this afternoon as he covers the Truro games as well.I was naturally defensive and if Busterjames is the person I spoke to, he felt I had been rude to him which I do not believe I was. However, I am prepared to apologise as I do not want any ill feeling. For the record, I work on a part-time basis covering the licencing of the stadium, dealing with the Safety Advisory Group, health & safety, contracts of employment, HR advice and commercial contracts. Attending on match days, including the Truro games is done on a voluntary basis. I do not think I have upset BJ before and of course he is entitled to his opinion of me but I really think there are more important issues and people at the Club than me to worry about. If BJ wants to come and discuss his feelings over a cup of coffee I will be very pleased to see him and hopefully iron out what I hope are misconceptions. I am not anyone's puppet. Thank you to friends, ex-colleagues and others not immediately known to me for your kind words of support which are greatly appreciated.