Herald Express (Newton & Teign Edition)
Priceless points in Gloucester as we wait for the bid news
»» TROUBLED Torquay United grabbed what could be a priceless 2-1 victory over Truro City on Monday evening to inch away from relegation danger.
Their first win away in 2024 and at the 10th attempt since winning at Eastbourne Borough. More of this to follow later in the column.
Back on February 22 when the football club filed for administration, subsequently receiving its punishment of 10 points deducted as per the National League rules, it was inevitable that administration would follow.
This has duly occurred and by doing so has meant that there is now a level playing field with the administrator choosing between, what are to be believed, two bids – the Michael Westcott consortium with TUST, and one other unnamed interested party.
So, the battle to save Torquay United continues on and off the pitch. And by the time you read this column the successful bidder could have been announced.
At the start of the season the talk was about United getting out of this league, who would be champions Torquay or Yeovil?
Now we’re at the tail end of the season with the club fighting to stay in this league. Relegation to the Southern League would be unthinkable.
As to be expected there have been weeks of debate on the various Torquay forums about administration and potential buyers.
When TUST confirmed its involvement with a consortium, recently confirmed as being led by Michael along with a group of fellow investors, that opened the floodgates of opinion - those who are pro and anti TUST.
While it is right that there should be healthy debate, the hope is, of course, our bid is the chosen one and should it have been successful there’s a meeting of TUST members due soon, even later this week.
Michael and TUST have promised to be open and transparent about the current state of the club but more importantly about its future. We all want a Torquay United to watch and support long into the years ahead and should the other bid have succeeded all we ask is that we have a proper community club with fan involvement.
On the pitch there’s another battle being fought. With United’s dire away form, no wins since November last year, it’s just typical that the club’s next four games were on the road starting on Good Friday at Yeovil resulting in a 3-0 defeat.
On Saturday, Welling were also looking to pick up points to ensure safety and Torquay’s cause was not helped when Ross Marshall saw red early on. Despite willing the Gulls on the Yellow Army saw yet another blank afternoon. It really has been a most depressing season.
While it may be premature for recriminations there are plenty of fans who have questioned not only recruitment but the make-up of the team’s defence. Apart from the almost relegated Havant & Waterlooville with 85 goals conceded, the next worst with 74 are United.
To be struggling in a part-time, regional football league shows how far a once proud EFL club has fallen. Even if the 10 points had not been deducted Torquay would only be around 14th.
Then came Monday’s trip to play Truro in Gloucester and what a battling performance that was. Playing in their purple (or is it beetroot?) kit United looked up for it and two great goals, the first yet another from QPR loanee Arkell Jude Boyd, his fifth, and one from Brad Ash, helped the Gulls to a much needed three points.
An estimated 300 Yellow Army in a crowd of 384 had, at last, something positive to sing about.
And could those three points have kept United in National South for another season? This Saturday it’s a trip to Bath followed by the game against Taunton with the venue yet to be agreed.
The end of this woeful season is in sight and who’s your vote going to for the Player of the Season?
There aren’t many of the squad who come out with much credit but Jude-Boyd must stand as good a chance as any.
Many thanks to reader Lee Cross for his recent correspondence with a number of great ideas for improving the match day experience and boosting attendances.
“Get in volunteers to help to save costs, pay on the gate, advertising and publicity in hotels, B&Bs and around the harbour. There are always holiday makers down in the Bay at a loose end on a match day.”
What are your views about your club? Send yours to: fanszone.tu@ gmail.com.
So, it’s Bath City, Taunton Town and Havant & Waterlooville to take points from to guarantee safety. COYY.