Over the first two weeks of Inside: Forever Yellow, we’ve looked at why the scheme exists and heard directly from some of the supporters who have chosen to get behind it.
This week, we’re looking at another part of Forever Yellow: what do members actually get from it?
The main reason many of us signed up or upgraded is straightforward — we wanted to put more money into Torquay United and have a say in where that support goes.
But we also wanted Forever Yellow membership to come with some worthwhile benefits. Some save members a few quid over the course of a season, some give priority when demand is high, and others offer opportunities to get a little closer to the club.
Here are some of the ways members have already been making use of them.
Priority when it really matters
We all know there are certain games when getting a ticket suddenly becomes rather more stressful than usual.
For high demand matches, Silver, Gold and Platinum Forever Yellow members are next in line after Season Ticket holders for the opportunity to purchase tickets, subject of course to the number of tickets available.
Last season’s Play-Off Final was an exceptional example. Demand from eligible Forever Yellow members outweighed the number of tickets available by around ten to one, so on that occasion the fairest option was to hold a ballot.
Jonny Jones spoke about being one of the successful members in last week’s Inside: Forever Yellow. Living in Berkshire, he gets to plenty of away games but only five to ten matches at Plainmoor each season, so a Season Ticket isn’t really practical.
For him, that priority is particularly valuable:
“Being able to be next in line for priority tickets should we have a big game is a brilliant benefit of the Forever Yellow membership scheme.”
For future high-demand fixtures, where the allocation allows, Forever Yellow members will have their opportunity to purchase after Season Ticket holders and before any remaining tickets go on general sale.
Hopefully there will be plenty more occasions when that particular benefit comes in handy.
A little back when you spend at the club
Forever Yellow members can also receive discounts at the club.
Silver members receive 5% off in the Club Shop as well as Boots & Laces on non-matchdays, while Gold members receive 10% discount.
Platinum members receive 10% off in the Club Shop and at Boots & Laces, & The Gulls Nest including on matchdays.
They’re relatively simple benefits, but if you’re regularly buying shirts, presents or merchandise, or using Boots & Laces, those savings can add up over a season.
And we haven’t forgotten our exiled Gulls either.
We know that a Club Shop discount isn’t much use if you live hundreds of miles from Plainmoor and do most of your shopping online. Forever Yellow members living further afield can therefore contact us at tustmembership@gmail.com for a single-use online discount code.
It’s another benefit Jonny has already been able to make use of from Berkshire.
Getting closer to the club
For Platinum members, we’ve also started putting on exclusive events.
Last month saw our first online Meet the Manager Evening with Jimmy Ball.
Platinum members joined Jimmy on Zoom for an open conversation about the start to the season, recruitment, players, his approach to the job and plenty more besides.
One of the reasons we chose to hold it online was simple: Forever Yellow isn’t made up solely of supporters living in Torbay.
A significant number of our Platinum members live away from the area, some considerably further away than others, and we want them to be able to enjoy these opportunities too.
For anyone who couldn’t make the event live, the full recording was made available afterwards. And if you upgrade to Platinum now, you’ll also be able to access the recording.
There will be more Platinum events and experiences to come, both in person & online.
Having your say
Being a TUST Forever Yellow member also means having a say.
Every TUST member, from Bronze upwards, is entitled to vote in the annual election of TUST Board members whenever there are more candidates standing than available places.
It’s an important part of being a member of a Supporters’ Trust. The Board is there to represent its members and, when an election is required, members decide who they want representing them.
Alongside that, members now have the chance to have a say & vote in our new monthly awards, choosing the Forever Yellow Men’s Player of the Month, Women’s Player of the Month and Goal of the Month.
For Goal of the Month, we’re bringing together the best available goals from across the Men’s, Women’s and Youth teams and letting members choose their favourite.
There’s a little extra incentive to vote too. Members who leave their details when voting can enter a draw for the opportunity to present the trophy to one of our monthly winners.
It’s another way of giving TUST members a little more involvement with their club.
And there’s more to come
Forever Yellow is still relatively new.
That means we’re learning which benefits members value most and looking at what else we can offer as the scheme develops.
Some members will make regular use of their discount. For others, priority tickets might be the big attraction. An exile might get more from an online event, while someone else may simply enjoy having a vote in the monthly awards. We also will be holding regular prize draws across our Silver, Gold & Platinum tiers.
And for plenty of us, the biggest benefit will remain knowing that our monthly contribution is going directly towards the area of Torquay United we’ve chosen to support.
First Team Operations. Youth Development. Stadium & Matchday Experience.
The benefits are our way of giving something back to the supporters who are helping make that possible.
Which level works for you?
Forever Yellow starts from £2 per month, with additional benefits available as you move through Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Bronze — £2 per month
Silver — £5 per month
Including 5% Club Shop discount, and Boots & Laces discounts on non-matchdays, plus access to priority ticket ballots.
Gold — £10 per month
Including 10% Club Shop discount, and Boots & Laces discounts on non-matchdays, plus access to priority ticket ballots.
Platinum — £25 per month
Including 10% Club Shop discount, Boots & Laces & Gulls Nest discounts, including on matchdays, priority ticket ballots and exclusive events and experiences including an end of season BBQ with Club representatives.
We’re hugely grateful to everyone who is already contributing at whatever level works for them.
And if you’re currently a Bronze member who has been considering taking the next step, or you’re thinking about joining TUST for the first time, you can see all the Forever Yellow options and benefits below.
TUST
