TUFC on ITV Westcountry (Video on Page 4)

[WestLondonYellow]

I asked those first three questions to further emphasise them and added a further two (although I think stable L1 is our absolute peak potential). If he's going to answer questions, might as well take advantage of it to make him aware of the fanbase's views, that we're not going to be taken for a ride and to try and squeeze some more info out of him, even if he'll probably just answer in vague business speak.



My other two questions were:

1. Why has GI failed to have stadiums built in Swindon, Milton Keynes and Reading (Speedway), had an aborted run at a stadium in Bristol and evicted Bristol Rovers from their stadium in the late 80s, almost killing the club in the process, rather than working with them to help them through their problems? Why should the fans have confidence in GI delivering a new stadium for Torquay United given their past track record?

2. I think a large number of fans recognise that relocation to a new stadium holds potential for the Gulls, the unlocking of new revenue streams though assets such as conferencing facilities, attached sporting facilities for hire, concerts, an on site high quality bar or restaurant, housing development on the same site etc. Many semi-pro teams in the National League survive and even surpass Torquay United thanks to these facilities despite having smaller average attendances, closer to home Exeter Chiefs are a fantastic example of how a move to a new stadium with greater revenue streams can turn around a club around. This all makes sense when it is the club that is benefiting from these incomes streams. My question for you Clarke Osborne, is how will this benefit Torquay United if GI takes the profit from these ancillary revenue streams to recoup it's investment and Torquay United is turned into a rent paying anchor tenant, seeing none of the benefit from the new stadium and losing it's preferential rental agreement with Torbay Council?

[CraigUnder]

Talk on BTPIR that GI are trying to stop the TUFC segment being broadcast by ITV tomorrow.

Things are certainly getting interesting..

[lucy6lucy]

Please can someone local to torquay area, get this uploaded to the forum when shown. It would appear GI didn't anticipate such a battle. FFS all they had to do in the short term, was to strengthen the team to get us safe. This would have changed opinions and almost certainly in the short term avoided the rumours and negativity.

[merse btpir]

...... all they had to do in the short term, was to strengthen the team to get us safe. This would have changed opinions and almost certainly in the short term avoided the rumours and negativity.

If you're of a 'spudjacket' mentality quite possibly; but to anyone with half a brain, nothing that happens on the pitch has much relevance to what is happening between the owner and the council.

It is the manipulation of the masses swayed by the last thirty second piece of sound bight that is at the root of most of the social and econonomic deprivation that we as a society endure in this day and age. I call it the 'Sun reader' mentality; please let's rise above that!

[Magpiegull]

Definitely on ITV West Country NOW

[kevgull]

Great report ITV, that should shake a few feathers!

[AlexGulls]

Only caught the end of Dave Phillips speaking but the mayor said he has had no contact with GI about the freehold.

[jono_Gull209]

Reckon it will be on ITV player for those who no longer live in the motherland?!

[MellowYellow]

If you're of a 'spudjacket' mentality quite possibly; but to anyone with half a brain, nothing that happens on the pitch has much relevance to what is happening between the owner and the council.

It is the manipulation of the masses swayed by the last thirty second piece of sound bight that is at the root of most of the social and econonomic deprivation that we as a society endure in this day and age. I call it the 'Sun reader' mentality; please let's rise above that!

What? Reading the 'Financial Times' does not maketh opinion valid. I happen to agree with Lucy on this one - GI have done themselves no favours.

[lucy6lucy]

If you're of a 'spudjacket' mentality quite possibly; but to anyone with half a brain, nothing that happens on the pitch has much relevance to what is happening between the owner and the council.

It is the manipulation of the masses swayed by the last thirty second piece of sound bight that is at the root of most of the social and econonomic deprivation that we as a society endure in this day and age. I call it the 'Sun reader' mentality; please let's rise above that!

I specifically said short term for a reason. New signings would have been great fully received by the fans, thus showing contempt/hope from the owners. Spud jacket? Jacket potato where I live

[kevgull]

I specifically said short term for a reason. New signings would have been great fully received by the fans, thus showing contempt/hope from the owners. Spud jacket? Jacket potato where I live

Potato in their jackets anyone?

[MellowYellow]

Great report ITV, that should shake a few feathers!

Kevgull - Care to give a summary on the report and why it would shake a few feathers? No everyone will have seen it.

[Louis]

I missed it but hoping they will do a rerun at 11pm (set to record but its a 15min slot compared to 30min from earlier).

[kevgull]

Hi Mellow,

There was a 1 minute interview with a TUST member who enquired as to why GI were so interested in the covenant on plaimoor.

There was mention of the lack of investment and why no Loan signings has been made whilst the club was in such a perilous league position.

The ITV commentator Geoff Welsh (?) mentioned that he had repeatedly ask for an interview but no contact could be made with RSL. He came across very frustrated and perplexed.

There was an interview with the Mayor, he mentioned that there had been no contact with GI.

The overall tone of the piece was " Get your finger out of your arse and make contact with the fans and media before we start to fear your intentions for TUFC"

Just my take on it you understand.

[Soupdragon]

Only caught the end of Dave Phillips speaking but the mayor said he has had no contact with GI about the freehold.

Perfectly true; the contact with 'the council' will have been through Kevin Mowatt, and Liam Montgomery of the Torbay Development Agency (which is an 'arm's length' subsidiary of the council, ie; it's all still paid for by yours and my tax).

For those who like to read things into things, it may interest you to know that the interview with the mayor was sought to talk about the Tall Ships coming to the Bay this year; the question about GI/TUFC was just tacked onto the end of that.