Dear Members,
We planned to send out to you a July newsletter this week, to update you on the many things TUST have been busy with over the summer. Not least, the different initiatives to improve supporter engagement with the club and TUCST, and to promote TUFC in building on its' connection with the local community. eg. The PLFF Community Outreach project; a new Fanszone and hubs; TUST brochure promoting TUFC; Matchday Ambassadors pilot idea; a 'Great Escape of 2001 legends fun evening' planned for September 7th at No10s, for all supporters.
However, in light of all of the significant and momentous breaking news items during the last week or so, I feel it is more important to update you today with reference to these alone. I am sure many of you are concerned, as we are, to learn more.
Firstly, I would like to confirm that, despite our ongoing efforts to engage with the owner and the club to establish clarity, we had NO previous knowledge of the Truro City groundshare arrangement until the statement on the club website on Sunday morning. Staff at the club confirm that they had no idea either, Truro City fans have concurred with this.
Secondly, the consequent news of the 'Gordon Oliver Award' evening at Plainmoor was also 'out of the blue!'
Today, the news that the new Stadium plan will be unveiled at the Mayor's Forum tomorrow evening was also the FIRST we have heard of it. The only thing we can confirm that we have been repeatedly told is that the 5 year plan to build a new stadium is still the owner's medium term aim, although there have been delays, and that Nightingale Park is the preferred site.
Up to yesterday, the mayor's agenda did not include this item! We were keeping a close eye on this, as we had heard that it might be included.
This does not give people much time, but I would ask as many of you as possible who are interested in the future of TUFC, whether it be in a new stadium or at Plainmoor, to make every effort to attend the Mayors' Forum tomorrow night to help you, and TUST, to make an informed response to what is said.
6PM.,THURSDAY 26TH JULY MAYOR'S FORUM,
NEW STADIUM PLAN,
ROSETOR ROOM,
RIVIERA CONFERENCE CENTRE, TORQUAY
We, TUST, will be there to represent our members and to report back to those who cannot attend and to exiles through our July Newsletter, which we hope to publish shortly.
We are also waiting for further response from TUFC re a letter we sent yesterday, previous to today's news re the Mayor's Forum. The email was sent to senior staff, to be forwarded to Clarke Osborne. The questions members have asked us to raise were briefly as follows:-
Radio Commentaries: What provision (if any) have you put in place to provide an alternative match day commentary, as Radio Devon have withdrawn coverage?
Truro City Ground share: Is this a previously agreed and paid-for arrangement, or an additional commercial arrangement??
Who will be responsible for the stewarding/catering on match days?
Was this something previously muted, or a case of Truro approaching us at the last minute for help?
Gordon Oliver Trophy; It would be helpful to have some rationale behind the naming of the trophy. The naming of the trophy seems a somewhat curious decision...this merely gives rise to further speculation.
We will send you these questions in full, together with, hopefully, any responses received in our July Newsletter.
We have also emphasised to the owner, and management, that it would be useful where possible, with the regular meetings we have, that such information is divulged in order that we can provide feedback and react to supporters and members questions appropriately.
MAYOR'S MEETING TOMORROW WILL COVER MANY THINGS, BUT WE ARE TOLD THAT TUFC AND A NEW STADIUM IS ON THE AGENDA!! TRY TO BE THERE. GIVE US YOUR VIEWS VIA THE USUAL EMAIL ADDRESS.
Many thanks,
Michel Thomas
Chairman, TUST
Supporter, TUFC