ACHIEVEMENTS

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Torquay United Supporters Trust today!

Since its formation, Torquay United Supporters' Trust has been the collective voice of the Yellow army - working to protect the future of our club, represent supporters' views, and strengthen the bond between the team and its community. Over the years TUST has championed fan engagement, supported the club through challenging times, and helped deliver projects that make a real difference both on and off the pitch.

Throughout TUST's existence we have seeked to build constructive dialogue with the club and its directors whilst also keeping politicians (both local & MPs) updated on TUFC matters. We also built a substantial reserve fund named the "Forever Yellow Fund" to enable the club to survive or relaunch in the event of unexpected changes.

The following year-by-year highlights show how our members' passion, commitment, and hard work have helped keep Torquay United at the heart of our community.

2025

Provided funding of £10k to the TUCST specifically earmarked for the Youth Development Programme.
Purchased two sets of Growlights to support Plainmoor pitch maintenance.
Provided funding to purchase and install additional handrails in Bristows Bench.
Sponsored the Torquay United Women's FC Shirt sleeves for the 25/26 Season.
Supported the reintroduction of Fanzones to the Plainmoor matchday experience.
Supported the club in appointing a Supporter Liaison Officer.
Co-ordinated the re-introduction of Matchday Ambassadors to the Plainmoor matchday experience.
Set up of the Club Lottery '1899 Club' in partnership with the club, all profits going into the club to assist with various initiatives
TUST members given opportunity to vote for their preferred 25/26 Third shirt.
Organised the Annual Ian Twitchin Award for the player making the most appearances each season - James Hamon.
Wrote a Club Charter for the football club to publish for the 2025-2026 season.
TUST Chairman present on the Plainmoor pitch to give POTY, YPOTY & Top Goalscorer awards to the players.

2024

Increased membership to over 1,150 members over the course of the year.
In response to the club being placed into administration, by Clarke Osborne, the TUST board was well prepared to respond immediately to Osborne's surprise announcement with the board meeting in emergency session on the same evening.
Within days, TUST representatives attended a meeting with the administrators and a Club director to gain an understanding of their plans for the club and the administration process.
The TUST chair and two board members met with Michael Westcott prior to the Weymouth match on 2nd March 2024 and were immediately impressed with his ambition and plans for the club.
TUST then went on to receive and co-ordinate many offers of help and support which led to it introducing Mark Bowes-Cavanagh and several other members of what would become the Bryn Consortium to Michael Westcott.
The TUST agreed to throw its full support behind the Bryn Consortium's bid for the club which was initially unsuccessful.
Following the subsequent announcement that Bryn would acquire the club, TUST worked in close partnership with them to secure its future.
Launch of the TUST Community Share Issue (CSI) in order to raise funds to purchase shares in Torquay United FC & subsequently a second protected seat on TUFC's Board of Directors.
Successful completion of CSI raising £222,251 via 536 investors. Alongside the £50,000 from the 'Forever Yellow Fund' this provided TUST with a 28.65% stake in the club.
Appointed two 'TUST Appointed Board Members' to the Club Board; Nick Brodrick & Danni Wyatt.
TUST Board Member representative appointed as a Torquay United Community Sports Trust Board Member, in order to represent TUST.
Launch of 'Paint up Plainmoor' initiative to provide a stadium refresh. Over 60 volunteers under the guidance of TUST refurbished the stadium, cleaning, clearing and painting all areas of the Stadium.
Attendance at the National League AGM alongside Bryn Consortium.
Nominated as finalists for the Torbay Community Champions 'Volunteer Team of the Year' Award.
Purchase of 'Investor Member Board' to be placed within Club Reception detailing the name's of each CSI investor.
Distribution of Share certificates & Pin-badges to all 536 CSI Investors.
Torquay United FC Third Shirt launched including the names of all 536 CSI Investors.
Organisation of the first ever TUST Board Elections due to having more supporters putting their names forward to become a board member than there were spaces.
Provided sponsorship to the back of shirt for the TUFC Womens Team.
Nominated for FSA Award in the Non-League Category for TUST's role in the successful Community Share Issue.
Organised the Annual Ian Twitchin Memorial Shield Award for the player making the most appearances each season - Ollie Tomlinson.
TUST sponsored and organised the new 'Exiles Away Player of the Year Award' which was awarded to Sam Dreyer.

2023

Advised Southend United Supporters Trust on potential ideas around possible phoenix club plans.
Donated £500 to the Supporters Travel Club to reduce travelling costs for fans for away match at Maidenhead United.
Held meetings with the club's board to articulate fan concerns surrounding the ownership.
Met with new local councillors to ensure the freehold of Plainmoor was retained by Torbay Council.
Organised a Fans Forum & invited the club executive to attend in the absence of a club-led Fans Forum. This was instrumental in co-ordinating protests against the Clarke Osborne regime.
Amid increasing concerns about the club's ownership the strategy Team fine tuned its contingency plans included the option of a Community Share Issue and the potential for launching a phoenix club if necessary.
Sponsored Torquay United Womens Team - 2023/24 season.
Provided funding for the TUCST mini footballers to purchase appropriately sized goals.
Organised the Annual Ian Twitchin Memorial Shield Award for the player making the most appearances each season - Mark Halstead.
TUST sponsored and organised the new 'Exiles Away Player of the Year Award' which was awarded to Aaron Jarvis.

2022

Sponsored the Exiles Away Player of the Season award.
Sponsored a ‘Legends of the Leroy Era’ online event.
Sponsored Torquay United Womens Team – 2022/23 season.
Funded the VIP Treats scheme for up to 60 children with learning difficulties to experience a game at Plainmoor – 2022/23 season.
Promoted Step One men’s mental health walks.
Donated to Stroke City Walking Football Club.
Contributed to the Jack Leslie Statue at Home Park, Plymouth.
Sponsored the Devon FA Women’s Cup Final – jointly with Exeter City Supporters Trust.
Provided funding for TUCST to establish Junior Inspirations League.
Attendance at Sport Torbay Meetings.
Fan-Led Review – represented supporters’ views on the need for an independent football governance regulator to the review team including attendance at Westminster to meet with Tracey Crouch MP. We continued to liaise with FSA, our local MP's and our local council groups on this.
Organised the Annual Ian Twitchin Memorial Shield Award for the player making the most appearances each season - Ben Wynter.
TUST sponsored and organised the new 'Exiles Away Player of the Year Award' which was awarded to Shaun MacDonald

2021

Support the #HerGameToo initiative to tackle sexism in football.
Successfully lobby on specific issues, eg: ticket sale times and printing of tickets for those without internet access.
Supported the ‘Andysbeermats’ initiative re: men's mental health.
Sponsored the Inspirations Disability Team with kit and home training equipment during the covid lockdown.
Organised the Annual Ian Twitchin Memorial Shield Award for the player making the most appearances each season - Sam Sherring.

2020

Founder member of South West Supporters’ Trusts Group.
Commenced Weekly Fans’ Zone columns in Herald Express.
Renewed registration of Plainmoor as an Asset of Community Value.
Supported the 'On the Ball' initiative to provide free female sanitary products at the ground (eventually adopted by the Club in 2022)
Provided Funding towards Sam Balsdon's Disabled Supporters home end roofing initiative at Plainmoor.
Made a £500 donation to Torbay Food Bank.
Funded the Torquay United Women's team to complete their fixtures and maintain their place in the league pyramid.
Organised the Annual Ian Twitchin Memorial Shield Award for the player making the most appearances each season - Kyle Cameron.

2019

Produced TUST articles in Non-League Paper - including promoting TUFC.
Provided TUFC with a comprehensive Fans’ Diversity and Equality inclusion Report.
Launched & organised the Annual Ian Twitchin Memorial Shield Award in 2019 for the player making the most appearances each season - Liam Davis.
Sponsored and distributed National League South celebratory champions badges at the final home match - 2019.
Assisted TUFC with collecting the POTY votes.
Fundraised for Rowcroft Hospice.
Provided funding (£4,900) for TUSCT & TQ1 Club for young fans.
Sponsored TUCST coaches with training tops.
Provided Torquay United Fanzones in alliance with Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST).
Provided Torquay United Community Outreach hubs in alliance with TUCST - at Paignton Academy, Acorn Community Centre, Ageing Well Day at Newton Race Course, Newton Abbot market, Denbury Fayre etc.

2018

Created, in liaison with Club representatives in 2018, a Structured Dialogue Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding together with a job description for a Supporter Liaison Officer, none of which was signed-off by the club executive at the time.
A small Strategy Team of board members and other Trust members was initiated in response to growing concerns about the ownership's plans for the future of the club. Over the next few years this group would work up a contingency plan to address any crisis that might arise and this preparation came to fruition with the events of 2024.
Organised and held the TUFC Legends Event.
Promoted local businesses in supporting TUFC including attendance at business networking meetings.
Provided Matchday Ambassadors at Plainmoor for one season, 2018/19 Season.
Assisted TUFC with collecting the POTY votes.
A TUST board member attended and spoke at the National FSF/Supporters Direct Summit, representing TUFC. At this meeting FSF & Supporters Direct agreed to merge becoming what we now know as The Football Supporters' Association (FSA).
Provided Torquay United Fanzones in alliance with Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST).
Successfully applied to Premier Leagues Fans' Fund for a grant of £21k, for equipment and running costs for Fan Zones
Provided Torquay United Community Outreach hubs in alliance with TUCST - at Paignton Academy, Acorn Community Centre, Ageing Well Day at Newton Race Course, Newton Abbot market, Denbury Fayre etc.
Assisted TUCST with the Senior Gulls and helped to compile a past players contact list.