Transparency will take Torquay United forward

Torquay United’s latest plans for a new stadium are out in the public domain - and so far so good!
The latest announcement from United on their continuing ambitions for a new stadium has re-ignited the debate that has dominated the Clarke Osborne era at the club.
Ever since taking over the club in 2017, Osborne and the Gaming International group have been consistent in their belief that a move away from the current site in Plainmoor will give United the best chance to attract better revenue, better investment, better players and a better position in the football pyramid.
Last week, the club announced a statement that read: “The Club can confirm that its Directors held an informal and private briefing with members and senior officers of Torbay Council on Wednesday, January 24, during which the Club had the opportunity to outline its plans for a new ground, and explain how this stadium would not just benefit Torquay United AFC, but the whole of the Torbay community.
“TUAFC would like to stress that no decision regarding these plans has been asked for, or given, at this point, however the Club is hugely excited about the potential opportunities that a new stadium provides for the Football Club, as well as the local community that it represents.
“Everyone at Torquay United AFC hopes that our supporters and local residents will share in the enthusiasm and excitement for these plans, and therefore, should both the Club and Council choose to move forward with them, it is the intention of the Club to engage with supporters, as well as work together with the local community, ahead of a full planning application being submitted.
“In the meantime, everyone at TUAFC would like to take this opportunity to thank the Yellow Army for the superb support they continue to provide the team with, home and away, and we look forward to sharing further updates regarding the Club’s future plans with supporters in due course.”
Throughout the Osborne era at Torquay United, supporters have expressed their scepticism about new stadium plans but there is absolutely no question that the Bristol-based businessman has kept the club afloat over the past six years.
Communication with supporters has been a regular criticism of the club during the Osborne era but, following on from this statement and the exclusive interview with the Torbay Weekly at the end of 2023, maybe that picture is changing.
Torquay United Supporters’ Trust responded to the club statement by saying: “TUST welcomes the club’s openness in keeping supporters informed, as promised in the recent online fans’ forum.
“TUST supports the continued use of Plainmoor but are open to alternative proposals providing they clearly indicate a sustainable long-term future for TUAFC within the local community.
“We recognise the need to maximise potential use of the club’s facilities and look forward to hearing more details so that fans are fully informed.
“We are willing to work constructively with the ownership to consider any plans to relocate the club providing that such plans are transparent and realistic.
“We await news of the Steering Group where TUST’s involvement, along with other supporters, will be able to discuss, amongst other topics, the club’s heritage and stadium plans.”
The key message in the TUST response appears to be communication and transparency.
The best example of how this works with supporters is down the road at Plymouth Argyle, where the chairman Simon Hallett has revolutionised a club that faced extinction just over a decade ago, and he’s done it by being open, transparent and taking the Green Army on a journey with him.
If Torquay United can maintain their recent enhancement in communication and provide fans with a clear and transparent view of their stadium plans, the Yellow Army might well come along for the ride.
Plainmoor is sacred ground but it is massively limited in terms of internal facilities and access for events, which severely restricts revenue opportunities.
Football clubs lower down the pyramid must find new revenue streams to be sustainable and United fans understand that reality. If they can be provided with a clearer picture of how a new stadium might look, with possible locations and a rough timeline, enthusiasm from the Yellow Army could be the key factor in making this ambition a reality.