Torquay United Fans Forum

Dav99 wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 11:08 Koh Wee Meng, owner of fragrance group is a Singapore billionaire who has a passion for football .
Clarke is a pauper compared to Koh Wee Meng .
I will email his UK representative myself and please , if you have further input , please try a more positive and “ hands on “ approach as the clock is ticking .

Did you hear anything back?

wbw wrote: ↑24 Feb 2024, 15:35 Sorry mate, but you really are clueless if you think any of those amounts will even get close to covering a month's wages at a full time professional football club.
And you really think that the people you mention will not get paid?

Calling someone clueless is not constructive.


Do you have any reliable data to support your contention?
If you do, please do share it.
That would be constructive.

Likewise, I'd pay the full cost.

Sad to see not only one person from UAE and another from Chicago have responded. Sad.

Yeofan wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 21:51 That doesn't actually answer any of my questions

Your question is a reasonable one and I think merits a response and a little introspection. I'm guessing that was the reason for your post in the first place.

It is my understanding that Mr Osborne DID save us from the brink of insolvency and a majority weren't all that concerned about his track record.

I think based on the preponderance of evidence he did some good things. When GJ was appointed after Owers I think the majority were pleased and success followed.

So what's the problem then. Shouldn't we all be singing his praises?

The reason is, and I'm speaking purely for myself is that he COMPLETELY FAILED to connect with the fanbase and gave every indication he could care less about football. I would ask you to read the funny article by Jim Parker in Torbay Today in which Mr Osborne deigned to be interviewed. This came about BTW only after one relentless, intelligent, and polite Torquay Fan confronted George Edwards after a game and got no answers.

In the first paragraph Mr Osborne takes a rather odd approach when asked about why he isn't actually seen at Plainmoor: "Why am I not here more? The absolute bottom line is that I do not have the time." To my mind, that's really not the way to start off an interview.

Later he takes this as an opportunity to "sound off on his opinion of social media" and the "loss of respect of society." That's a little odd when, in general, societal norms traditionally involve talking with the fanbase or attending one or two games a year. He also went on to talk about his "right hand man" George Edwards who I believe was the CEO of the club. When I posed the question, what does George Edwards do on Jan 7, there were 10 responses all of which indicated they didn't know.

Further as others have commented he has not actually followed through on any of the stadiums that he has wanted to build and currently the Abbey Stadium Speedway Stadium is in a right state such that Gaming International is being investigated by the local council.


BUT.........ALL THAT BEING SAID, as my late father used to say "A stopped clock is right twice a day and I think we shouldn't forget that soccer, like everything else in life changes over the years and if we truly want Torquay United to exist into the future then we really have to open to change and give a little. While I love Plainmoor stadium and shed a few nostalgic tears walking into the ground earlier this month, I would ask, are we living in the past. Is it vital that we play at Plainmoor?

Do we need a stadium that holds 6500 and yet gets average gates of 2500 or thereabouts?

Wouldn't any reasonable businessman want to feel that there is some wiggle room to make changes without being vilified and ridiculed that they as they owner see fit.

We are at THE MUST CRUCIAL TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE CLUB. Are we willing to accept change? If not I think we are done for as a step 6 or above club. And perhaps some of us out there are truly okay with that. But I don't think we can have it both ways. Give some and play somewhere between League 2 and Step 2. Don't give an inch and get used to playing Tavistock, Bideford, and Exmouth.

Again, we can't have it both ways.

happytorq wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 13:54 I would very much imagine that they're already aware of it. Humphrey Ker is their man at Wrexham and he knows Charlie Baker (appeared on their podcast, think they knew each other before that). I'm certain Charlie and John would have texted him at the very least.

Thanks man.
I must be the only dummy that didn’t know about this podcast. I’ll be listening from this point forth.


I just listened to episode 243 which seems to have predated the Farmborough match and just spoke about the lack of energy that they have to continue to support the club beyond their podcast
It will be really interesting to see the content of their next podcast. Unfortunately, I guess John is leaving for another job, which may put a bit of a wrench in the works for future episodes, at least in the short term. Too bad.

I sure hope Charlie Baker reached out to Humphrey Ker. What’s the worst that can happen? He says no I don’t know anybody. I don’t have any idea. Ok. At least we tried.

Check out their website. For my cursory review, it appears that they provide product support and development for different perfumes. Some of the companies that they support. Even an old geezer like myself are familiar with casein point banana republic.

I’m guessing your significant others will have a whole lot more fundamental understanding of what this company offers. Let’s harness that.

This is the defining game for Torquay United.
I don’t care if they lose And if they get drilled. Let’s show The players That we appreciate their loyalty, and that this has been an awful time for them and their families.

I think if they lose this Saturday it, especially important that we get behind them now and show them that we are really sincere

I’m guessing the majority of you have wives and girlfriends. I’d also hazard I guess that at least a few of them might be interested in beauty products it might be in Torquay United’s best interests for y’all to start talking to your spouses, sisters, girlfriends, grandma’s, and anyone else interested that fragrance international has some interest in Torquay United.

Who knows? Maybe they’ll be encouraging you to go watch the match maybe they might want to come with you

When their website, it’s a sudden uptick from curious turkey residents, That might be something that would spur their interest.

Dav99 wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 11:08 Koh Wee Meng, owner of fragrance group is a Singapore billionaire who has a passion for football .
Clarke is a pauper compared to Koh Wee Meng .
I will email his UK representative myself and please , if you have further input , please try a more positive and “ hands on “ approach as the clock is ticking .

Dave 99

Your CAN DO ATTITUDE is what we need.
Not just sitting passively by and moping
You are a true fan!!!!
Well done

happytorq wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 13:54 I would very much imagine that they're already aware of it. Humphrey Ker is their man at Wrexham and he knows Charlie Baker (appeared on their podcast, think they knew each other before that). I'm certain Charlie and John would have texted him at the very least.

Welcome to Wrexham is massive in the US. People had no idea where Wrexham was. They sure as hell do now.

Many of them have previously had no interest in soccer. Even my American wife previously had no interest in soccer has now become very interested.

Could this energy be harnessed by Torquay?

Who are John and Charlie?

United62 wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 14:25 I saw that too... that hasn't happened for a while!

I wasn't planning on coming down for this one but have changed all plans for tomorrow since the news broke on Thursday. It may well cost me north of £150 (ticket, petrol, food) but if it helps the club, it'll be worth every penny. Now just have to go and tell the Ayatollah that I won't be able to fix the garden fence tomorrow!

COYY!

Thanks bud.

You are it so far.

I thought given that this is D Day there’d be a whole lot more interest.

Administrators.
Pick up the phone and call Ryan Reynolds or Rob McElaney.

I’m sure they have NO INTEREST in buying the team but they DO KNOW a whole lot of wealthy Americans who might actually like to make a similar name for themselves….Will Ferrell comes to mind but I’m guessing there’s a whole lot more

Torbay has some unique features that could make it attractive with its capacity for tourism, natural beauty, proximity to ocean sports etc.

Getting 5000 fans in Plainmoor would be a good way to spark their interest

These guys are walking the walk and have tons of connections. Will Ferrell for one comes to mind.

What’s the harm in reaching out.

Think big guys

Green Rory wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 00:55 I will be there on Saturday, as will two other friends from Plymouth. I'm an Argyle fan, but the other two are from Liverpool and Norwich, whose first loyalty is of course to those clubs. However. we all have an affinity to Torquay and will be Gulls for the day, as we were during our last visit in early December against Tonbridge. No way can this geat club be allowed to die! Also ,thanks for supporting Argyle during our own nadir; Argyle fans won't forget that and will support the Gulls during this dire episode. You will come out of this stronger.

Thank you to the three of you!!
We appreciate you!!!