Question 1

Why should I join Torquay United Supporters Trust?

Accepted Answer

By becoming a member of the Supporters’ Trust you will have a say in how the trust is run. You would have a vote at the AGM to appoint the trustees that sit on the board which meets once a month. You will be invited to face to face member consultations where members get to have a say on strategic issues. There may also be votes on important and strategic issues.

The Supporters’ Trust owns 28.65% of the Football Club and has two Supporters’ Trust appointed board members (TABM) on the TUFC football board (currently Nick Brodrick and Danni Wyatt) that have equal voting rights with the other board members. The TABMs represent the views of the Supporters’ Trust board. Therefore, by being a member of the Supporters’ Trust you have a say in how your Club is run.

Question 2

How can I contact Torquay United Supporters’ Trust?

Accepted Answer

You can contact the Supporters’ Trust through the contact form on the home page of the website https://www.tust.co.uk or by emailing us at the following email address info@tust.co.uk

Question 3

How much does membership cost?

Accepted Answer

Membership costs as little as £2 per month or (preferably because it reduces our costs) £24 per year by Direct Debit or in cash. There are also options to contribute more by paying £5 or £10 per month. As a Corporate Member you can pay £50 per year. Follow this link https://www.tust.co.uk/join to find out more.

Question 4

What will my subscription be used for?

Accepted Answer

Whilst some money is used to cover administration costs and to top up the Forever Yellow Fund (to cover unexpected eventualities e.g. financial and legal advice) the majority of the Supporters’ Trust’s income goes to helping the Football Club, as well as Torquay United Women’s Team and Torquay United Community Sports Trust. By being a member, you are indirectly giving money to the Club.

For example, in the 2025/26 season the Supporters’ Trust will have an anticipated income of £38k most of which will be used to help the Club. Expenditure in 2025 included £3,200 on the new safety railings in Bristow’s Bench, £3,600 on Grow-lights for pitch maintenance, funding has also been provided for the Youth Development programme and a contribution made towards the replacement of the large digital screen at Plainmoor. The Supporters’ Trust is working in partnership with the Club to identify other priority projects in the future.

Question 5

How can I join Torquay United Supporters’ Trust?

Accepted Answer

The Supporters’ Trust has a dedicated join page on the website, you can find it here: https://www.tust.co.uk/join

Question 6

How does Torquay United Supporters’ Trust keep in touch with its members?

Accepted Answer

The Supporters’ Trust issues a weekly email (Nick Brodrick’s Fan Zone) and a regular newsletter from the board. These also receive a wider circulation through social media. Members may also be consulted or informed of issues and decisions by email.

Question 7

What if I don’t live in Torbay, can I still join?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have members living all over the world including the USA, Malaysia and Australia.

Question 8

What is expected of me as a member of Torquay United Supporters’ Trust?

Accepted Answer

Nothing is expected of you if you join. We would encourage you to engage in the democratic processes of the Supporters’ Trust by voting in elections, attending member consultations and the AGMs, both of which are held at Plainmoor. However, if you only want to support the Supporters’ Trust and the Club by paying your subscription that’s all you need to do.

Question 9

How do I apply to become a Torquay United Supporters’ Trust board member?

Accepted Answer

To become a board member you need to have been a member of the Supporters’ Trust for at least 6 months. Before the AGM, that is normally held in November, notifications are sent out with the agenda and applications invited for members who would like to join the board. You will need two members (also of 6 months standing) to second you. If there are more applicants than seats on the board an election is held just before the AGM in which all Supporters’ Trust members are entitled to vote. The result of the election is announced at the AGM. The board meets face to face once a month and you would be expected to attend.

Question 10

How often does Torquay United Supporters’ Trust meet with the Club?

Accepted Answer

The two Supporters’ Trust Appointed Board Members are present whenever the TUFC board meets which is at least every two months. They also meet with Club General Manager Tim Herbert on a regular basis and Tim also meets informally with the Supporters’ Trust board prior to its monthly meetings.

Question 11

How did Torquay United Supporters’ Trust become an owner in the Club?

Accepted Answer

When the previous owner put the Club into administration the driving force behind what was to become the Bryn Consortium, Michael Westcott, approached the Supporters’ Trust saying that he wanted to work with the Trust in saving the Club. The trust gave £50k from its contingency Forever Yellow Fund in return for a seat on the Club board. The Supporters’ Trust then raised £222k for the Club through a Community Share Issue in return for which it received a second seat on the board and the protection of Heritage Rights.

Question 12

Does Torquay United Supporters’ Trust have any plans to fully own the Club?

Accepted Answer

No. While the Supporters’ Trust may increase its stake in the Club in the future, in the short and medium term the Supporters’ Trust believes that the current ownership model, being run by fans who have been successful in business, is the most likely way to secure a sustainable future for the Club.

Question 13

What else does Torquay United Supporters’ Trust do?

Accepted Answer

The Supporters’ Trust is constantly striving to represent its members and ensure that they and Gulls fans generally have a voice and that it is heard. To this end, recently the Supporters’ Trust was instrumental in the appointment of the Club’s Supporter Liaison Officer, Paul Bastard and the recruitment of the Match Day Ambassadors. The Supporters’ Trust is also involved in a Heritage project to preserve the Club’s history by creating a museum and audio-visual record. The Supporters’ Trust liaises with the Club’s community sports trust, the women’s team and has in the past met local and national politicians of all parties. It is actively working with the Club to promote inclusivity and tackle discrimination.

A list of the Supporters’ Trust work and achievements down the years can be found on the website here https://www.tust.co.uk/achievements

Question 14

Who are the FSA?

Accepted Answer

The Football Supporters Association (FSA) is the umbrella organisation that supporters’ trusts belong to and represents the interests of football supporters in England and Wales. For example, it campaigns for cheaper tickets prices and their Fans’ Embassy team travel with England supporters to assist them on away trips.They are an advocate of fan ownership and have experts that have helped set up a number of fan owned clubs e.g. Bath City FC, FC United of Manchester, Newport County, Hereford United and Scarborough Athletic.
https://thefsa.org.uk/

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