Three parties have lodged bids with a decision expected from administrators soon
BIDDERS to buy Torquay United were waiting on news from the administrators yesterday as their offers were being pawed over by those with the power now in their hands.
Last Friday, six weeks after former owner Clark Osborne said he was going to place the club into administration, the club officially went into administration – a week and a bit after bids to buy the club had to be submitted.
One bid, led by Michael Westcott, which is hoping to hand 50 per-cent of the club’s ownership to Torquay United Supporters’ Trust (TUST), is backed by former Torquay and Premier League manager Neil Warnock, while another is believed to be from current director Mel Hayman and her father Ian Hayman. There is also understood to be another bid from an as yet unnamed party or parties.
But those waiting for news might not have to wait much longer, as a statement from the administrators was being tipped to come as early as yesterday.
Nick Brodrick (pictured) of TUST said yesterday: “The administrators decision could be any day. We are obviously hoping it is as soon as this afternoon, or later today maybe.”
A statement released by the club last Friday, which is still being run dayto-day on a voluntary basis by chief executive George Edwards, and Mel Hayman, read: “Although the administration process is the latest, important step in securing Torquay
United’s long-term future, it continues to be a testing time for everyone associated with the club – be it players, staff or supporters. The unity shown by everyone continues to shine through though, and the determination to ensure that United’s future will be a brighter and more sustainable one is clear for all to see.”
The statement revealed Scott Kippax, Neil Vinnicombe, and Simon Haskew of Begbies Traynor were the appointed joint administrators.
The statement continued: “TUFC can confirm that it has now received firm bids from parties interested in purchasing the club, and a further announcement is anticipated to be made within the next fortnight, when it is hoped that the club will then be in a position to confirm that its long-term future has been secured.”
On the field, Torquay helped their cause of staying in the National League South, ahead of a summer of what’s bound-to-be extraordinary change, by beating Truro City in Gloucester on Monday night.
Goals by Arkell Jude-Boyd and Brad Ash gave the Gulls a 2-0 lead in the first half, which was only dented after 90 minutes by Ed Palmer.
Torquay now have three games to go – two away against Bath City on Saturday and Taunton Town on Tuesday night, and one at home against Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday, April 20. Three points from those two games should mean the Gulls escape the dreaded drop into the Southern League. But until safety is a mathematical fact, no-one will be resting on their laurels.