Torquay United Fans Forum

Listening to the radio commentators last night, even they couldn’t believe what was actually going on down there on the pitch!

I actually do not blame Garry Owers for our current situation and have nothing against him personally; he is probably a very nice and decent bloke who has done everything within his capabilities with little or no money; the person to blame is the man who appoints the wrong person to the wrong job for him. What spark of ingenuity came to appoint a man not experienced up to this level of challenge and responsibility?

So Mr Chairman, could you be honest and provide us with the truth, perhaps some details, about this 5-year plan. I’ve been in business but never once came across a long-term plan that begins with demotion, the need to put a completely new team together (we won’t have more than a very few on the books after Monday), but also demoralizing the supporters who are key to future success. Understandably, many are suggesting boycotting the team, but ironically this will only ensure the team goes into liquidation as the club need our money and our support.

Why no explanation about the non-appointment of a local Board of Directors, such a vital ingredient to support the Chairman (in the continued absence of the owner)? Why, when so obvious midway into the season when the plan clearly wasn’t working, little appeared to support Mr Owers other than bringing in loan after loan of ineffective players?

Your recent statement after the Hartlepool match I thought totally unacceptable; how can relegation ‘galvanise our resolve and determination to return to the National League next season….’and ‘our work in rebuilding the structure of this significant, fine Club will continue unabated…’ when the priority from the start of the season must have been to provide sufficient funds for the Coach to ensure he could afford the players to keep us up and to keep the gates up. Once achieved, then you have the foundation of whatever infra-structure was on the table for this 5-year plan – and vitally, the support of the fans!

Mr Chairman, I suggest your next statement needs to come out soon after the retained list , you need to convince us that lessons have been learned from the way other clubs in our league, some part-time, are being run. There will be no easy matches to get back up next season as every team will want to beat us, so please be upfront with us, take no short-cuts, appoint the Board of local supporters and we will soon love you….perhaps!