Gulls peace offering

The Torquay United hierarchy have offered an olive branch to the local fans' trust in a bid to end the friction between the two sides.
But will they or won't they accept the deal on the table was still the million-dollar question.
The Torquay United Supporters Trust backed a sit-in protest after the Gulls' 2-1 victory over Tonbridge Angels at Plainmoor on Saturday.
They were still unhappy with communication levels with the United management despite club owner Clarke Osborne breaking a lengthy silence and answering many of their unanswered questions in an exclusive interview with the Torbay Weekly last week.
TUST said: “Whilst TUST welcomes the interview with the football club’s owner Clarke Osborne, having waited so long for this communication, it is disappointed that questions fans would like answers to were not asked.”
The United management revealed they were setting up an online Fans' Forum but TUST said before the protest: “Although this may be seen as a step forward TUST asks why this cannot be a face-to-face meeting. TUST acknowledges that whilst these may be seen as positive developments they do not meet the criteria as set out at the recent Fans’ Forum. As things stand Saturday’s sit-in protest goes ahead as planned.”
A small section of fans went ahead with the peaceful sit in - but the Plainmoor bosses revealed the forum was just the first phase of improving communications - the second will be the formation of a special steering group.
The club said in a statement: "Everyone has the right to free speech, to their opinion and have the right to vent their emotions positive and negative but being personal, aggressive, and threatening is not acceptable.
"We have taken on board what TUST Board, TUST members and other supporters have said in relation to communication and have introduced an online fans forum. We believe an online Fans Forum will allow the opportunity of all supporters to ask a question without worrying about what others will say or how they will react.
"This is the first phase of improving communication. The second phase is to ensure that all supporters are represented therefore we are going to encourage an independent Supporters’ Steering Group, which we will assist in setting up and will include representatives of the following groups: Over 60’s – Men – Women – Under 18’s – Disability -Travelling Away Supporters and a TUST representative."
The club said TUST had to show respect to the owner, the board and its employees.
The statement added: "Once set up this will be an independent Supporters’ Steering Group which will have monthly meetings with board representatives and Club representatives. This will ensure that all supporters are represented equally."
The club said they will reintroduce Monthly TUST meetings with board representatives but TUST had to agree to certain conditions including an agreed code of conduct for engagement/dialogue with TUAFC Board and respect between TUST and TUAFC Board.
TUST replied in a statement which said: "The Chairman and Secretary attended a meeting with club director's George Edwards and Mel Hayman. The directors tabled the club statement which includes proposals for improved communication between the club and its supporters and between the club and TUST. We were able to share this information with those members who attended our AGM and gained some feedback on their thoughts. The TUST board will meet in a few days to consider its response to the proposals."