The following TUST programme notes appeared in the programme for the game Vs Shrewsbury Town - 03.04.2010
KICKING THE POLITICAL FOOTBALL
Following our programme notes over the last few games - and we stress that not as a result of - the issue of good governance and club ownership rose to the very front of the political agenda in terms of the Labour government's election promises. As we head inexorably toward the imminent election, the rhetoric, point-scoring and electioneering has already begun among the three main political parties.
Labour led from the front on the issue of governance in football, and in a sense it was admirable that they saw fit to take a stance against the jungle of mismanagement, fiscal chaos in the game and the thrust of supporter ownership. But sadly, in the man it was simply a case of paying lip service to the much wider issues that face the game in Britain.
In precis, Labour have unveiled a plan which would force clubs to give equity to supporters' groups, and is considering giving fans first refusal on the purchase of shares in their clubs when they are put up for sale, and clubs could be required to hand over up to a quarter of the total stock to supporters' groups.
The Conservatives came out in reaction to say that Labour's plans were "a pre-election gimmick" with the shadow sports minister, Hugh Robertson rather predictably deriding the scheme.
Robertson himself claims that there are easier methods to increase supporter influence in clubs, such as insisting on them all having at least one director to represent supporters, and insists that there are "massive, massive implications for company law and insolvency law" within Labour's proposals. Robertson claimed changing the rules on governance to increase supporter influence would be quicker and easier.
On the other hand Don Foster for the Liberal Democrats dismisses the idea of supporter-ownership as a "pipedream" although he does agree with the trust movement's assertion that ownership is not a panacea. Foster made the point that both football and the Football Association urgently need a radical overhaul to better represent supporters and act in the interests of the game.
Number 10 is expected to include the proposed plans as part of Labour's general election manifesto, and some of the other strategies being considered include giving the football authorities a deadline to reform the FA and removing "vested interests" from the board. It would also give the leagues and the FA more power in ratifying takeovers of clubs.
But if anyone actually bothered to scratch beneath the surface they would find that the proposals don't really possess any depth and the path forward would be littered with debates and headaches. It might also be said that one size certainly does not fit all. In fact one of the major political parties have, as yet, come up with a detailed or realistic way in which we can sensibly move forward in an attempt to try and reverse some of the wider damage that has been done to the game in Britain.
The man theme that emerged from what was a minor political spat, was the fact that all three main political parties do agree that football is in need of a urgent overhaul and a radical. As a result he caveat that did emerge was that matters which concern many football supporters up and down the British Isles are now firmly on the agenda. But amid the brickbats, the fact remains that this is an issue which remains in need of attention, in need of debate and in need of addressing. Let's hope that once the election has been decided that the issue remains on the agenda.
TENDING THE LAWN
It has emerged that Forest Green Rovers are also in a spot of bother and yet for a totally different set of reasons than generally gets a club in such a position - ie greed.
In fact Torquay supporters may well remember their chairman, Trevor Horsley from visits Torquay United made to the New Lawn in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. He was the man who seemed to be everywhere, guiding cars into the car park, serving food and drinks in the club bar, operating a turnstile, doing the half-time draw and helping out pretty much anywhere he could.
The New Lawn chairman has revealed that the club are on the brink of financial ruin and facing a potential winding-up order. Now the Yorkshireman is in negotiations to earn his beloved club a stay of execution. No one can doubt his integrity, his dedication and his motives. At worst he could perhaps be accused of being ever-so-slightly naive and just getting in over his head a little, but his intentions were and have been wholly honourable.
The club's problems stem mostly from unpaid debts on the New Lawn stadium, with two mortgages crippling the club as well as mistakes made on VAT and player/managerial expenses.
Horsley also has a great deal of his own money invested in the club and he is willing to write that off as he pursues potential deals that will save his beloved club.
He is prepared to transfer his personal loans in Rovers into share capital, but his company, Western Thermal Limited are owed around £90,000 from the stadium build. The construction of the New Lawn finished under budget, but unforeseen costs included moving a TV antenna at a cost of £100,000 and road calming, for which the Schools Safety Scheme provided only £20,000 out of £145,000.
"I had a meeting with a big banking corporation trying to amalgamate the two loans we've got. It's been continuous meetings for me," said Horsley, as he works on staving off a winding-up order and trying to find between £200,000 - £300,000 to secure the long-term future of the club.
He added: "Forget what they (Forest Green) owe me now - what I've put in the past was because I wanted the club to be a success."
EASTER EGGS ARE WELL RECEIVED
The trust are delighted to once again be able to distribute Easter eggs again this year thanks to the enormous generosity of Tescos Garage at Hele Roundabout.
Torquay fanatic and trust member Darren Howlett works in the store and we approached him with the idea of Tescos donating a significant number of Easter eggs for the trust to distribute among local groups and schools for the benefit of local children. Darren immediately spoke to his store manager, Ryan Goldthorpe and Ryan kindly offered to donate 275 Easter eggs to the project.
We would like to say a massive thank you to Ryan and all his staff at Tescos for supporting us with this year's Easter egg project.
First up were the children and teenagers of PHAB, who meet in Barton on Monday evenings.
CRACKING GESTURE: Ryan Goldthorpe of Tescos (second left) hands over 275 Easter eggs to Torquay United players for distribution to local children's organisations.
PHAB aims to promote and encourage children and young people aged between eight and 20 years with and without physical disabilities to come together on equal terms to achieve complete integration within the wider community, and the Torquay group is part of national network of PHAB clubs.
The trust delivered 45 eggs to the group on Monday and incredibly well-received there were too.
Torquay United legend Robin Stubbs is heavily involved with the efforts of the group and he was in attendance as we handed out Easter eggs to members and their helpers.
At the time of writing we haven't distributed any more of the Easter eggs but here is a breakdown of where the remaining Easter eggs will be heading...
South Devon Disabled Sports Association
South Devon Disabled Sports Association are a sports association for disabled people with an age group of 10-years of age and upwards with a wide range of disabilities. They engage in a wide range of activities. The group cover most sports that are achievable by a disabled person which covers around 80 per cent of sports. The area they cover is Teignbridge, Torbay and the South Hams.
Receiving 10 Easter eggs + 10 Smile Tickets for a game before the end of the season.
DownSouth - Down's Syndrome Support Group
A group formed by parents and carers to support families of children and adults with Down's Syndrome living in the Torbay, South Hams and Teignbridge areas of South Devon.
The group is affiliated to the National Down's Syndrome Association. Their aim is to inform, encourage and support parents, allowing them to grow in strength and knowledge so that they are better equipped to give the best possible help to their children.
Receiving 40 Easter Eggs + 8 Smile Tickets for today's game versus Shrewsbury Town.
Torbay Disability Group
The Torbay Disability Group is a play scheme that offers opportunities for children between five and 17-years-of-age, who all have severe to profound physical and/or leaning disabilities.
The group operates each Saturday and every school holiday and offer a broad and wide range of activities such as surfing and archery. The group's mission is to ensure that each child or young person has as much fun and enjoyment as their peers and friends on the days that they attend. Those who attend need to get as much fun out of the experience as is possible.
Receiving 40 Easter eggs.
Bidwell Brook School
Bidwell Brook School is an all age community special school situated in South Devon. The school caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties and those with profound and multiple needs.
Situated in a beautiful rural location at Shinners Bridge in Dartington, the school offers an attractive, stimulating environment where the outdoors becomes part of the learning experience.
Receiving 90 Easter eggs.
Torbay Young Carers
Torbay Young Carers Service supports young carers and their families throughout Torbay, by providing individual and group support, in-school support, regular drop-ins and respite activities during school holidays, as well as information and advice to families and to professionals working with young carers.
Young carers are children and young people under 18 who look after or help to look after someone who has a serious illness, disability, mental ill-health or is affected by drugs or alcohol, usually a parent, sibling or other family member.
Their Easter programme includes trips to Grenville House, fossil-hunting in Charmouth, Town Parks fisheries trip and Create Workshops Art and Drama days. These events give young carers the opportunity to take a break from their responsibilities and meet others in similar situations.
Receiving 50 Easter eggs.
So it just remains for us to wish you all a wonderful Easter and a very pleasant break over the Bank Holiday weekend.
A PHAB-ULOUS SURPRISE: Members of Torquay's PHAB group receive their Easter eggs from Torquay United Supporters' Trust.
