United for United

Football has the power to bring people together, and the past few weeks at Torquay United has been a spectacular demonstration of the beautiful game’s unifying force.

The latest chapter in this spirit of unity saw the Conservative Torbay MP Kevin Foster invite his Labour counterpart, Luke Pollard MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, to join him at Plainmoor for the visit of Dartford on Saturday.

Mr Pollard, a dedicated Plymouth Argyle fan, has experienced the pain of administration at his own club, and the two Members of Parliament joined together to show their support for another Devon club entering a world of uncertainty.

“Torquay United lies at the heart of our community, and when it does well, the community does well,” said Mr Foster. “That is not just the case for football fans but also our wider economy and how people feel about the club.

“It is absolutely vital we keep Torquay United in our community. There are so many people taking part in fitness and sport, who draw inspiration from watching football at Plainmoor.

“As MPs, we can help the situation by being visible and engaging with those who are working to make a difference at Plainmoor.

“It is also important that we look at how the game of football is governed. There is good cross-party work on this issue and we need to make sure the views of fans are heard, as well as looking at the structures and regulations in the game of football, which badly needs to change.

“I’ve spoken with colleagues who have been in this situation with clubs in their own constituencies, too many of us have seen problems at local football clubs.

“We have seen historic football clubs collapse and that is where we need change. It is something that can be done this side of an election and, whatever the outcome, it will be taken forward after the election, given the level of cross-party support for those changes.”

The examples of Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, both of whom have emerged stronger from the pain of administration, should be a source of comfort and hope for the Yellow Army.

At Argyle, the club has risen from the depths of the Football League to the Championship, and every game at Home Park has been a sell-out over the past two years.

“Argyle has had a lot of tough times and what we have learned as a city is that our club is the glue that holds our community together,” added Mr Pollard. “It matters economically and to the spirit of the community.

“We know there are Torquay fans now experiencing the same sense of loss and worry that Argyle fans went through in 2011. Nationwide, people are losing their clubs, and that’s why I came here to support Torquay United.

“We need to keep three professional clubs in Devon and to keep them viable, so fans can continue enjoying the game.

“I’m hoping there will be more Argyle fans coming to support Torquay when their team doesn’t have a game because keeping this club afloat matters to the whole of Devon. We can show our support by buying tickets, buying a programme, buying a beer and showing any prospective new owners that Torquay United is a club worth investing in for the future.

“We have a chairman at Argyle, Simon Hallett, who is investing in the club, the facilities and the match-day experience at Home Park. We went through some dark times to get there but I hope Torquay fans can aspire to having a better club at the end of their journey.”