Thumbs up from us to Torquay United

The Torbay Weekly proudly sponsored the Torquay United versus game with Welling United on January 11 and, like many others, we couldn't fail to be impressed by the transformation at the club.

The size of the overall crowd, over 3,700, the Cove hospitality room packed out with superb quality food and a win all combined to make it a special day. But, more than this, there was a real feel-good factor running throughout Plainmoor.

The enthusiasm of the joint chairmen Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh is infectious and there is the real sense of positivity around Plainmoor that is more than just about good results. The appearance of Neil Warnock at the Man of the Match presentations afterwards was the drop of stardust that put the icing on the cake of a great sponsorship experience. 

We also attended the sponsors evening on January 14 and again had some high quality food, felt the same positivity and enjoyed listening to a very grounded United manager Paul Wotton summarise the season so far and look forward to the challenges ahead. Paul clearly thrives in the intensity of his role and his whole demeanour, ambitious and driven but not getting carried away, reflected the spirit around the club.

Like ourselves, Torquay United understand the importance of their role in the community and seeing the reactions on both Saturday and Tuesday, the community is certainly responding positively to them. Well done to all concerned in provoking such a fantastic transformation.