TUST Newsletter 24/03/2025
- TUST
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
MARCH NEWSLETTER
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Chairman’s welcome
Dear Member
These are exciting times to be a Torquay United supporter with so much to talk about on and off the Plainmoor pitch.
Whether you are local or an exile in the UK or worldwide these are heady times making all of us proud to say which team we follow.
The recent Chairmen’s Chat underlines the task the Bryn Consortium faced to bring the club’s finances as under control as possible, paying off all creditors was no mean feat.
There have been plenty of positive changes in the way the club is run and there are more to come so it is important that, as a major shareholder, TUST is involved in ensuring the club moves forward.
Setting up a lottery and appointing a Supporter Liaison Officer are just two recent examples.
Meanwhile, with six ‘Cup Finals’ to go, we are all dreaming that maybe we can leave this league behind us.
Finally, as part of being a Platinum Investor in the CSI we have been pleased to see many of you as Directors of the Day and the feedback has been really positive.
A 5,000+ gate on Saturday underlines the love we all have for our football club. And thank you to all our members for your support.
COYY
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Danni Wyatt co-opted to TUST board
The board are delighted to announce that TUST’s second representative on the Club board has been co-opted on to the TUST board for the duration of her term.
When the board were seeking to appoint a second TUST Appointed Board Member (TABM) there was a preference for someone who was not an existing TUST board member to bring a different perspective to the role. Things have evolved since then and we are all learning as we adapt to the new role and responsibilities of TUST and its relationship with the Club.
Danni is keen to get more involved with TUST and feels that being on the board will better enable her to represent supporters’ views to the Club. The board unanimously agreed that she has much to contribute to its role.
Club Board
The latest board meeting was held on 27thFebruary with TUST appointed directors Nick Brodrick and Danni Wyatt in attendance.
There has been huge interest in the Managing Director position and the next step is to shortlist six applicants for interviews, when Nick and Danni will be part of the panel.
Nick has given the board a summary of the report prepared for the Club by management consultants and its recommendations.
Club Charter
Nick and Danni have been tasked with preparing a Club Charter and have circulated a draft document based on the charters of several other clubs for the TUST board to consider It includes the following topics; Supporter Services, Ticketing, Merchandise, Catering, Supporter Consultation and Liaison, Staff Conduct, Equal Opportunities, Charity and Community involvement, Ground Regulations, Stewarding, Banning Policy and Complaints.
Supporter Liaison Officer
Following an interview with TUST and Club representatives an appointment to this important role has been made subject to references. An announcement will be made shortly.
New 1899 Club Lottery
Following tremendous work by TUST board member Rob Burkitt, a new club lottery is about to be launched. Tickets for the monthly draw will be £10 per month with a first prize of approximately £1,500 if we reach 500 players. The more people that get involved the bigger the prize gets. It is estimated that the lottery will add several thousand pounds a month to Club coffers. Details coming soon.
Community Share Issue - Investor Rewards
All the Investor Packs containing share certificates and investor pin badges have now been collected in person, hand delivered or posted including those of overseas investors.
Unfortunately, the Executive Reception for Platinum Investors scheduled for after the Bath game has been postponed at the Club’s request. The new date is Easter Monday after the Weymouth game when it is hoped that most of the Club’s directors will be present.
The Golf Day & BBQ for Platinum Investors will be held on 9th July at Torquay Golf Club with representatives from the directors, management and players in attendance. Platinum Investors will receive further details shortly.
Meet the Manager – we are still awaiting a new date and venue for this postponed event.
Independent accounting review
The TUST board have commissioned an independent report on its accounting practices, tax liabilities and audit requirements. This has given reassurance that we are doing the right thing in these areas.
Strategy Review
The board are currently reviewing TUST’s Strategic Plan. Circumstances have changed considerably since the current strategy was adopted in 2023. We are now major shareholders in the Club with membership that has increased nearly three-fold and income that has increased accordingly.
We will be consulting our members soon on the key elements of the proposed strategy and the options for allocating surplus funds in the next few years.
Youth strategy
TUST board member and teacher, Harry Lovering, has been working with the Club to develop an initiative that will see links between the Club and young people strengthened. Part of the scheme will involve players visiting schools and colleges.
Meeting with local MPs
TUST representatives will be meeting with the three local MPs or their representatives on 24th March to brief them on our work and the relationship with the Club and also to canvass support for the Football Governance Bill as it progresses through the Commons.
Exiles’ Away Player of the Season Award
TUST has agreed to provide a trophy for this year’s award. Details of how to vote will be publicised soon.
The Story of TUST’s 2024
TUST board member and administrator of Torquay Fans Forum, Rob Dickinson, has been writing the story of last year’s dramatic events at the Club and TUST’s involvement. It is an interesting read giving a blow-by-blow account of the last weeks of Clarke Osborne’s flawed ownership, the threat and then reality of administration and TUST’s role in bringing the Bryn Consortium together and ultimately saving the Club. Read it here: TUFC in administration - An inside view from the TUST board. | TheTFF Torquay United Fans Forum
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