Westcott weaving a new web of optimism at Plainmoor

Torquay United's new managerial partnership has been unveiled with new owner Mike Westcott claiming 'this was my moment' to help the club secure a new future.

In one of the worst kept secrets in Plainmoor appointments history, Neil Warnock will be Football Advisor at United for the coming season with Truro City and former Plymouth Argyle star Paul Wotton expected to be club manager.

Westcott, a former journalist in Torbay who made his money in the commercial world of publishing and business events/marketing globally especially Asia, is heading a consortium that is taking over at the helm at United to finally bring to an end the Clarke Osborne and Gary Johnson era.

The Bryn Consortium of Westcott, Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, Tom Allen, Rob Hawes and Simon Robinson still have to wait for the official takeover go ahead from administrators and a creditor's agreement. But no last-minute hitches are expected and the new 'team' at United were holding a special press conference at the club yesterday.

The Bryn Consortium, working with the Torquay United Supporters Trust thought their dreams of running the club were over when the administrators originally selected a different preferred bidder.

Westcott said: "There was an open bidding process. Our first thought was could we do something with the Torquay United Supporters Trust. Our proposal was declined in favour of a preferred bidder. We did not know the details of that bid.

"We were happy. We just wanted a result for the club. We had that period of silence with the administrators and exclusivity for the preferred bid.

"Then, I think it was at the last game of the season, I got a tap on my shoulder to ask if we were still interested? We resumed talks with the administrator and were the preferred bidder."

Due diligence and the next stage in the process was turned around in a matter of days.

Westcott, 57, has been a lifelong supporter of the Gulls just like his late Dad, Bob, who spent several years as an announcer at the club and was well-known in South Devon am dram circles.

Westcott said: "I came back to South Devon six months ago. I have been fortunate to be quite successful in my business life. I wanted to get my teeth into a more community-based project. My wife and I both come from Torquay. We wanted to come home.

"I was going to knock on the door at Torquay United next year to see if I could help. All the stars were aligned. I thought this was my moment to make a difference. I felt a desire to help Torquay United. The club has been a massive part of my life and my dad's life. This was the right moment to do something for a club that had given me so much pleasure over the last 45 years."

He added: "We believe Torquay United has been under-exploited as a community asset, as well as a business. We feel we can make Torquay a sustainable club that does not require a benefactor to dip into his own finances to prop up the club."

He emphasises: "We are not a Wrexham." But he says there will be investment from the consortium.

They plan to work again with TUST. The plan is for a Trust member to be offered a seat on the United and there will be opportunities for the community to buy shares.

Will the club go part-time or stay full time? Westcott does not want to be drawn on that but says: "We are talking about that."

It is believed a 'hybrid' version with full time and part time players combining may be one way forward that is being discussed.

The most pressing matter is to pay all the club debts to the tax man and football and trade creditors, which won't leave much change, if any, from a six-figure sum. Then there is the small matter of loans - rumoured to be around the £5m mark - from Clarke Osborne, which it is hoped the former club owner will write off.

Westcott began his corporate business life with three members of staff at a pig farm. He now employs 750 around the world.

United fans will be hoping the Westcott wizardry can be weaved at Plainmoor.