It's been a few months of movement and change on the trust board, so we'd like to update you all as to where we now stand...
Following some upheaval and many changes at TUST over the past six months, specifically in regard to the trust board, we aim to bring you bang up-to-date here, and let you know who you as members are being represented by and their various roles in the organisation.
But before we do introduce the new faces on the trust board it is very important that we acknowledge the work of some of the people who have worked so hard to make the trust what it today, and we can only apologise that it has taken us this long to do so.
Leaving the board back at the back-end of last year were former chairman, Chris Fleet, Laurie Noble who had served as our membership secretary and Audrey Goddard who had been in post as TUST secretary.
We would like to take this opportunity to say a very huge and sincere thank you on behalf of Torquay United Supporters' Trust, the board and its members to Chris for his service to the trust over a number of years. His tenure as a member of the trust board was a long and fruitful one, and it is also important that we take time to acknowledge his efforts on behalf of TUST.
For Chris it was often a difficult and rocky road, but his contribution is highly valued and appreciated, because he was instrumental in setting up the trust and as a result it could be said that his contribution was longer and somewhat harder than other board members experienced.
DEPARTURE: Chris Fleet.
Chris was one of the few who was prepared to put his head above the parapet. As a result he was subjected to all manner of criticism, rumour and speculation from some quarters but he stuck to his guns and fought for what he believed in. But on a positive note, his sacrifice, hard work and diligence certainly enabled the trust to reach the position it finds itself in today.
Similarly, Laurie Noble gave sterling service to the trust over a number of years. As membership secretary, Laurie made a lot of friends through the trust and his diligence and ability in that post enabled him to create an extremely workable system for membership matters and administration. He took over a rather confused membership structure and straightened it out with aplomb.
Laurie's efforts on behalf the trust, his advice and counsel were always very well received and always with much appreciation, so we're very gratful to him for his efforts on our behalf and we're sure that everyone will wish him all the very best as he takes his retirement to the next stage.
Audrey's contribution to the TUST board was perhaps a little more short-lived than we would have liked, but nevertheless it was always a positive and considered voice that she brought to proceedings. As we said, her tenure in the role as TUST secretary was too short by far, but she made an impact and similarly we wish her all the very best for the future.
So once we had got over the departures, we started to look at recruiting new people and set about doing exactly that, so it is with great satisfaction that the trust welcomes a few new and eager faces to the gradually expanding and improving TUST board.
Back in February we informed you of the arrival on the board of local accountant, Steve Vincent as the new treasurer.
Steve has now finally taken over the reigns from former treasurer, Phil Smith after a smooth and almost seamless transfer of the TUST treasury and the relevant accounts and information.
IN: Stephen Vincent.
Phil served as TUST treasurer since the formation of the trust board and he only offered to do it for a short period on a temporary basis. So three years later he will be delighted to have handed over to Steve. And we would like to thank Phil here on these pages for his efforts, his time and his diligence in carrying out the treasurer's role for all this time. He will of course be staying n the board and we will be looking to use his range of skills in a whole new area now.
IN: Vanessa Fennis.
Also joining the board recently have been Vanessa Fennis, who brings with her bags and bags of marketing experience as well as a plethora of excellent local contacts with local businesses and local schools, which will only serve to boost the profile of the trust. We are also hoping that her vast PTA experience at Sherwell Valley Primary School and her contacts with other schools in the area will help us to raise the flag a little higher for the newly-formed Junior Gulls. Welcome aboard Vanessa.
IN: Ross Warner.
Also stepping up to the plate has been Ross Warner, a lifelong Torquay United supporter and one of the current senior match day stewards at Plainmoor.
Ross has lots of ideas with regard to safer stewarding at Plainmoor, and he has a lot of energy and ideas in other areas. So similarly a big welcome aboard Ross, and we look forward to working with both yourself and Vanessa.
So just to keep you all up-to-date as over the last few months there has been quite of movement on the trust board, we currently have nine board members.
They are Hayden Jones (chairman), John Mowl (vice-chairman), Jamie Holmes (secretary), Steve Vincent (treasurer), Martin Wildman (disabled liaison officer), Louise Smith (Junior Gulls manager), while Phil Smith, Vanessa Fennis and Ross Warner are currently without portfolio.
