125 years on, Torquay United still leads on and off the pitch

Torquay United Football Club has always been more than just a team in yellow and blue. For 125 years, it has been a heartbeat of South Devon – a proud sporting institution woven into the fabric of Torbay life. And today, as the club sponsors the Sports, Health and Well-being Award at the Torbay Weekly Business Awards, it’s clearer than ever: Torquay United is a force for good, with a bold vision that puts people, participation and community first. Here, the club's management team tell the story...

Founded on 1 May 1899 and first announced in the now-defunct Torquay Times and South Devon Advertiser, the club has stood tall through the highs and lows of English football. From Football League drama to FA Cup thrills, United’s story is full of resilience, reinvention and local pride. Now, with the club on the rise again, it’s doing so hand in hand with its supporters and community, with a renewed mission that extends far beyond matchday.

A club owned by its people

In May 2024, a new chapter began. Following years of uncertainty, the Bryn Consortium stepped in to help stabilise and rebuild the club on firm foundations. But what makes this new era particularly special is that Torquay United is now, more than ever, a club owned by its people.

The Torquay United Supporters’ Trust (TUST) is now the club’s largest single shareholder – a historic milestone that ensures supporters have a real, meaningful voice in shaping the club’s future. This unique fan-focused ownership model reinforces our commitment to long-term sustainability and deep community connection.

We are not just playing for points – we’re playing for purpose. Our ambition is not only to succeed on the pitch but to thrive as a responsible, transparent and community-driven club that all of Torbay can be proud of.

Above: Goal celebration. Image: PPAUK 

Backing the next generation

One of the club’s proudest achievements is its investment in youth. Through our registered charity, the Torquay United Community Sports Trust (TUCST), hundreds of local children are now playing football in yellow and blue.

From Under-7s through to Under-16s, the Trust runs numerous boys’ and girls’ teams, offering high-quality coaching, fun, and fitness in a supportive environment. For many, it’s the first step on their football journey – and the beginning of a lifelong connection to the club.

This pathway continues through our flourishing Academy Under-18s side, delivered in partnership with South Devon College. Here, talented young players combine elite football development with academic study, setting them up for success both on and off the pitch. And for those ready to test themselves in senior football, our new partnership with Buckland Athletic provides an exciting platform: young Gulls stepping up to experience the demands of men’s football in a competitive environment.

This clear pathway – from mini-kickers to academy scholars – is at the heart of Torquay United’s long-term football strategy. We’re not just building a team; we’re building futures.

At the heart of the community

Torquay United has always belonged to the people of the Bay. But today, that connection is stronger, deeper, and more impactful than ever.

We believe football has a vital role to play in improving physical and mental health, building confidence in young people, and providing a sense of belonging for everyone. That’s why our community outreach stretches far beyond Plainmoor’s touchlines.

From school coaching programmes and holiday camps to inclusive matchday experiences, open training sessions, and community fun days, the club is active all year round – using football to bring people together, break down barriers, and inspire positive change.

We work closely with grassroots clubs across South Devon, helping to nurture the local football ecosystem and ensuring talent – and opportunity – thrives at every level. And through our trusted community staff, we regularly deliver workshops and wellbeing sessions across the region.

Above: Image: PPAUK 

Plainmoor: a community hub

Matchdays at Plainmoor remain magical. The season just completed saw us miss out on promotion on goal difference and saw an average of almost 4,000 fans across the season – the highest crowds since 1971. These supporters across the generations – from Torquay to Teignmouth, Paignton to Plymouth…and beyond – fill the stands to back the Gulls, week in and week out. Many have done so for generations. Many are doing so for the first time. But the stadium is now much more than just a venue for football.

Plainmoor has become a versatile, welcoming event space used for a wide variety of community and corporate events. With facilities including the Boots & Laces Bar, The Gulls Nest, the Devonshire Suite, executive boxes, function rooms, and dedicated hospitality areas, the stadium is now a go-to venue in South Devon for: conferences and meetings; weddings, celebrations and wakes; charity functions and fundraisers; away-day experiences for local businesses.

And even the unique “Play at Plainmoor” opportunity for fans and teams to live their football dreams.

We take pride in being more than just a stadium – we are a gathering place, a memory-maker, and a home for moments that matter.

Loyal following, national family

While we’re based on the English Riviera, the Gulls’ flock stretches far and wide. Our loyal fans not only pack out Plainmoor on Saturdays but also travel the length and breadth of the country to back the team away from home. Our last away game of the season at Hemel Hempstead saw 2,000 make the journey to support the team.

Right across South Devon, the South West and the UK and internationally, we have a fiercely dedicated following. And our Exiles network – fans who live across the UK and internationally – continues to grow, reminding us that the spirit of Torquay United travels well beyond the South West.

That passion drives us. It inspires us to do better, be better, and always put our supporters at the heart of every decision.

Supporting health and celebrating wellbeing

By sponsoring the Sports, Health and Well-being Award, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible individuals, organisations and businesses across Torbay who make a difference through sport, fitness and mental health support.

We know how powerful sport can be. We see it every day – in the joy of a child scoring their first goal, in the commitment of our volunteers, and in the stories of people finding community, confidence, and friendship through our club.

Sport doesn’t just build strong bodies – it builds strong communities. And Torquay United is proud to be one of the region’s loudest advocates for better health, better inclusion, and brighter futures.

Looking ahead – together

The road ahead for Torquay United is filled with ambition. We want to return to the top of non-League football – and beyond – but we know that success is not just measured in silverware. It’s measured in smiles, in opportunities created, in community connections strengthened, and in the shared belief that this football club belongs to all of us.

With the Torquay United Supporters’ Trust as our guiding light and our community partners alongside us, we’re confident in what we’re building – together.

As we celebrate 125 years of history and look ahead to an exciting new chapter, we invite everyone in Torbay to be part of our journey. Whether you're a fan, a parent, a business, or someone discovering us for the first time – there's a place for you in the Torquay United family.

Here’s to football. To health. To community. And to the unstoppable spirit of the Bay.

So the stage is now set for the glittering awards finals night at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on Wednesday, June 11. Tickets and tables are available by going  to the awards website at: torbaybusinessawards.co.uk