Co-Chairmen SHARE THEIR PROGRAMME NOTES AHEAD OF TONIGHT’s clash with Salisbury…
Good evening everyone and welcome back to Plainmoor.
Firstly, a warm welcome to the players, staff and supporters of Salisbury. We hope you enjoy your visit to Devon this evening and wish you a safe journey home after the match.
There is no doubt that this is a challenging period for our football club. In many ways, it probably feels like the most testing spell we have experienced over the past two years. Football can change quickly, and when results dip it can feel uncomfortable for everyone connected with the club.
But football supporters — and Torquay supporters in particular — know better than most that the game is rarely a straight road. Following Torquay United has always involved a certain amount of rollercoaster riding. Over the years we have faced far bigger challenges than those we are dealing with today, and we came through them together. We will come through this one as well.
At times like these it is important that everyone associated with the club holds their nerve. The Board, the supporters, the players and staff all share the same objective — to see Torquay United succeed. If we stay united and keep our perspective, we will move through this difficult spell and regain our momentum.
Away from the pitch, the process of appointing our new manager is progressing well and is now nearing its conclusion. We hope to complete the appointment over the coming days. What has been particularly encouraging has been the level and quality of interest in the role. Torquay United remains a very attractive club for ambitious managers, and we have received a significant number of strong applications from across the game. We are taking the time to ensure we make the right appointment — someone capable of delivering our medium and long-term ambitions for the football club.
In the meantime, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Neil Warnock and Ronnie Jepson for stepping in and helping the team during this transitional period. Their experience, professionalism and willingness to support the club at short notice has been greatly appreciated by everyone at Plainmoor.
On the football side, we also recognise that injuries to several key players have had a material impact on the squad in recent weeks. We know we are light on numbers in certain areas and we are actively working to strengthen the group. We hope to add some additional depth to the squad shortly as we head into the final ten games of the season. Our focus remains firmly on maintaining our position in the play-off places and giving ourselves the best possible chance in the run-in.
I would also like to say a word about the support the team continues to receive. To the fans who were here on Tuesday, and to the remarkable 246 Gulls supporters who made the long journey to Ebbsfleet on Saturday — thank you. Your backing does not go unnoticed. We are proud to be the best-supported club in this division and that support means everything to the players.
The squad are fully aware that results have not been where we would like them to be recently. A loss of form, injuries and the departure of a manager can all test a group, but the players know the strength of support behind them and they are determined to respond.
The opportunity to do exactly that starts tonight.
Let’s stick together, get behind the team, and help them rediscover the momentum we know they are capable of.
Enjoy the match. Come on You Yellows !
Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, Michael Westcott and the Board
