What is Forever Yellow – and where is it taking us?
Every Wednesday for the next eight weeks, we’re going Inside: Forever Yellow.
We want to do something a little different from simply asking supporters to join or upgrade.
We’re going to look at the people behind Forever Yellow, hear directly from members about why they’ve got involved, take a closer look at the benefits available and, most importantly, show what the money being raised by supporters is actually helping to make possible at Torquay United.
But for week one, it probably makes sense to start at the beginning.
Why Forever Yellow?
The idea behind Forever Yellow was actually pretty simple.
What could we achieve for Torquay United if enough of us chipped in every month?
As a Supporters’ Trust, TUST has more than1200 members. Individually, very few of us could make a significant financial difference to a football club.
Collectively, it’s a very different story.
That’s why we set ourselves the ambitious target of raising £100,000 a year through Forever Yellow.
Not because £100,000 was a nice number to put on a graphic, but because reaching that level gives supporters, through TUST, the ability to make a serious contribution to the club.
And we’re getting there.
£85,000 AND COUNTING…
Forever Yellow members are now contributing £85,000 a year towards our £100,000 target.
Behind that figure are hundreds of individual supporters.
Some contribute £2 a month. Some £5. Some £10. Some £25.
Some are at Plainmoor every Saturday. Others live hundreds – or even thousands – of miles away.
But every one has made the same basic decision: to put something into the club they support.
And we’re already seeing what can happen when we do that together.
So, where does the money go?
This is something we’re going to talk about a lot during this series.
Because we think Forever Yellow members deserve to see what their money is helping to achieve.
We’ve already had a great example on the pitch this summer, with Forever Yellow funding helping the club secure the signing of Harry Shield.
That’s the sort of direct impact we hoped Forever Yellow could have when we launched the scheme – supporters putting their money together and giving the club additional backing when an opportunity comes along.
And the impact won’t only be seen on the pitch.
We’re currently working with the club to investigate a potential upgrade to the Tannoy system at Plainmoor. Something we know would make a real difference to the matchday experience for supporters around the ground.
It’s still at the investigation stage, so there’s more work to do before we know exactly what’s possible. But it’s another example of the sort of project Forever Yellow funding could help bring to life.
And there is more to come.
From helping strengthen the squad to improving Plainmoor, this is what we want Forever Yellow to be able to do.
As the money comes in, we’ll keep showing you where it’s going.
What do I get from Forever Yellow?
There’s another side to the scheme too.
Silver, Gold and Platinum members receive a growing range of benefits, from club shop and bar discounts to priority ticket access and exclusive events.
But rather than squeeze all of those into a list here, we’re going to put them to the test over the next eight weeks.
How do they actually work?
Which benefits are useful if you’re an exile?
What have members made use of so far?
And what else is planned?
We’ll cover all of that in Inside: Forever Yellow.
We’ll also be speaking to the people who matter most – the members themselves.
Why did they upgrade? What do they get out of it? And why do they think TUST and Forever Yellow are worth supporting?
The next target is £100,000
We’re proud of how far supporters have already taken Forever Yellow.
But we’re not there yet.
£85,000/ £100,000
There’s still £15,000 to find.
If you’re already contributing, THANK YOU! Whether you’re Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum, you’re part of the total above.
If you’re a Bronze member and you’re in a position to take the next step, we’d love you to consider moving to Silver, Gold or Platinum.
And if you’re not a Forever Yellow member yet, perhaps the next eight Wednesdays will give you a few reasons to become one.
For now, though, we’ll leave you with the question that started all of this:
What could we achieve for Torquay United if enough of us chipped in every month?
We’re starting to find out.
This is Inside: Forever Yellow.
