Academy football joins the list of Torquay United concerns

Worries about whether the club might go part-time are one obvious concern for Torquay United fans as the Gulls’ try to cope with life in administration, but the future of the TUFC Youth Academy is another.

Whoever eventually takes over the club will do so in the wake of a 2022-2023 balance sheet that reported a £1.1 million loss as United were relegated to the National League South last season.

Cutbacks are almost certain, and the two leaders of one bid, Mike Westcott and Torquay United Supporters Trust (TUST) chairman Nick Brodrick, have already said that going part-time is a possible option.

Former owner Clarke Osborne has come in for criticism on several fronts, but one of the commitments he has honoured is the re-establishment of an Academy.

It came after two previous closures, which saw Torquay miss out on future stars like Ollie Watkins from Newton Abbot, Jamie Reid from Torquay – they both joined Exeter City’s Academy – and Kieffer Moore from Paignton, among others.

In contrast to EFL clubs, who receive upwards of £400,000 a year from the Premier League to help run their academies, National League United have no such assistance.

Their Academy, headed by former player and coach Robbie Herrera, is club-funded, with help from volunteers.

The Gulls run teams in the Junior Premier League at every age-group from Under-10 to Under-16, plus a successful Under-18 side in the SW Counties Youth League.

Their forthcoming League Cup final against Bridgwater United will be played at Plainmoor on April 27.

Another disadvantage that United have to contend with is that they have less control over the futures of their best young players than EFL clubs do.

Torquay’s matches are regularly watched by a gaggle of rival club scouts, who know that, unless the Gulls can persuade their best prospects to sign a pro contract at 17, they are available for nothing.

They lost promising goalkeeper Matt Wonnacott to Wigan Athletic in just those circumstances.

It’s not a great incentive for any Plainmoor chairman to keep investing in an Academy year after year.

So many fans, parents, players and coaching staff are now keeping everything crossed that United’s operation does not become a casualty, for a third time, of financial pressures at the top of the club.