Optimism and enthusiasm are the takeaways from Torquay United Fans Forum

Promotion on the pitch and breaking even in two years off it are the ambitious twin-aims which Torquay United laid out at Monday’s Fans Forum.

The full magnitude of the task which owners the Bryn Consortium faced when they lifted the Gulls out of administration 14 months ago were underlined to supporters in Plainmoor’s Boots & Laces (writes Dave Thomas).

Fans first quizzed manager Paul Wotton and Football Adviser Neil Warnock in an upbeat Q&A ahead of the 2025-2026 National League South season which starts at home to Enfield Town on Saturday.

But it was when new CEO Mark Thomas took the stage that facts and figures came thick and fast. Season ticket sales are up 25% – nearly 1,300 sold so far.

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But United are still bracing themselves to lose around £400,000 over the next 12 months.

The board are hoping that they won’t have to cover a deficit quite that large, and Thomas has been brought in to drive new revenues and keep costs down.

He revealed that the ultimate aim is to break even in season 2026-2027.

But that will have to be done while United continue to roll out a programme of ongoing improvements around Plainmoor.

The floodlights are being upgraded within the next couple of months.

That will be followed by work to the Big Screen, CCTV around the ground, the PA system and on pitch maintenance machinery and irrigation.

It all confirms the importance of success on the field – last season’s average attendance (3,865) as United finished second on goal-difference and then lost in the Play-Off Semi-Final was the highest for more than 50 years.

But Thomas also said that the club is seeking a 25% increase in overall revenue, driven mainly by off-field activities.

If all that sounds a bit daunting, the mood of the Forum was undoubtedly full of optimism.

There is still a ‘feelgood factor’ around Plainmoor, which co-chairmen Mike Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh did nothing to dampen.

Wotton and Warnock had set the tone, drawing on a summer of squad strengthening and encouraging pre-season performances.

Looking back to last season’s near-miss, Warnock said he wasn’t too devastated to lose the title so narrowly.

“I don’t think we were quite ready to push on to the higher division, on or off the pitch, but now we are,” he said.

Wotton spoke of the importance of signing new captain and midfielder Matt Worthington, but he also feels that there are more natural leaders right through the squad.

The Gulls’ boss looked forward to the pace of matches improving with the introduction of ‘multi-ball’ arrangements around the pitch and the new eight-second handling rule for goalkeepers.

Wotton also welcomed subs benches increased from five to seven places, and he confirmed that he plans to give one of those spots to a reserve goalkeeper.