The Yellow Army marching for a new Torquay United

There are many positive markers to show how much Torquay United has evolved in the three months since the Bryn Consortium took control at Plainmoor.

Very near the top of that list has been the response to the launch of a Community Share Issue, which has taken less than a fortnight to rise from the initial TUST (Torquay United Supporters Trust) investment of £50,000 to almost £150,000.

Once the CSI target of £100,000 was reached, TUST received a second seat on the Board and enhanced minority shareholder rights offered to it by the Bryn Consortium, which will help protect Torquay United FC in the coming years ahead and ensures Gulls supporters will always have a voice in the running of the Club.

“When I looked on Monday lunchtime, we had reached £139,000 and I know more money has come in through other channels, so we’re certainly knocking on the door of £150,000,” said TUST chairman Nick Brodrick.

“When we got to £100,000 that was the trigger for another seat on the Torquay United Board, so it has been a phenomenal response from the Yellow Army. We’ve had over 300 investors, who have delved into their savings to find the minimum of £250, and many have found a thousand pounds, or more.

“We can’t thank everybody enough, all the people who have donated and invested, it has been incredibly humbling to see so many people show their love for the football club.

“From where we were six months ago to where we are now is chalk and cheese. The response to everything has been fantastic, from the Community Share Issue to the Paint Up Plainmoor initiative, with working parties coming into paint steps, turnstiles and stands.

“Everything the fans have done in the summer has been absolutely brilliant, they have all come together to help restore the pride of the football club.”

As well as this amazing financial response, the overall vibe around Plainmoor is full of positivity, a far cry from the painfully toxic atmosphere that shrouded much of the Clarke Osborne era.

Long gone are the days when a defeat or draw would lead to protests against manager Gary Johnson and the Board. Now, the Yellow Army are clearly right behind new manager Paul Wotton, the players and the Board of Directors.

“Everybody came on Saturday expecting us to beat Aveley, they all arrived with beaming smiles and even though we ended up with a draw, people still left smiles on their faces,” added Brodrick.

“The whole atmosphere has been transformed since the Bryn Consortium took over the club, which obviously makes it a lot easier for us to galvanise TUST and having the support from the Community Share Issue has made us feel a part of the football club.

“In the past, we were mistrusted by the previous regime and now we’ve gone through 1,000 members, more than double the 400 we had a year ago, which just shows how things have changed.”