At this time of year, as the nights draw in and festive lights brighten our streets, we’re reminded that the season is about more than presents and plans. Christmas invites us to slow down, to be kind, to reflect, and to be thankful for what we have — and, just as importantly, to look out for those around us.
From everyone on the Board of Torquay United, we want to send our heartfelt thanks to every single person who makes this club what it is: our supporters, the Supporters Trust, our volunteers, our players, and our staff. Your commitment is not something we ever take for granted. You show up, you give your time, you give your voice, you carry the club through good runs and difficult spells, and you keep the spirit of Torquay United alive far beyond the ninety minutes on match days.
But we also know Christmas can feel very different depending on what life is asking of you right now. For many in our community, this is a hard season. Some are facing financial pressure that makes even the smallest decisions feel heavy. Some are carrying the pain of family breakdown, loneliness, or homes that don’t feel as safe or settled as they should. Some are dealing with illness — their own or that of someone they love — and the constant strain that comes with it. Many are living with grief, remembering those who should be at the table but aren’t. And for some, simply making it through the day takes courage.
If that’s you, or someone close to you, we want you to hear this clearly: you are not alone, and you are not forgotten.
Torquay United has always been more than a football club. It is a meeting place. A shared bond. A familiar walk to Plainmoor. A nod to a stranger who feels like a neighbour because you’re both wearing the same colours. It’s a club that holds a diverse community together — different backgrounds, different ages, different stories — united by something simple and powerful: we belong here, together.
That’s what makes this club special. In a world that can feel divided and uncertain, Torquay United remains a reminder that community is real, and that it can be built week by week, year by year. In the roar of a goal, in the groan of a missed chance, in the applause for effort, in the way we rally behind the badge and behind one another — there is something steady and human. There is something hopeful.
Our ambition for Torquay United is not only to compete and to progress, but also to be a bright light in the centre of our beautiful South Devon: a place where people can gather, breathe out, even shout out, and feel part of something bigger than whatever they’re carrying.
Football won’t solve every problem — we know that — but it can offer moments of relief, belonging, and joy. It can give you a reason to look forward to the next match, the next reunion with friends, the next shared memory.
So, as Christmas arrives, we simply ask this: if you’re in a good place, extend a hand where you can. If you’re struggling, allow someone else to stand with you. And wherever you find yourself this season, know that this club is here — and that you are part of it.
Thank you, genuinely, for your support, your belief, and your care for Torquay United…and for each other. We wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas, and we look forward to welcoming you through our doors on Boxing Day.
Come on You Yellows !
Best wishes to you all,
Tom, Sam, Mark, Nick, Matt, Rob, Joe, Simon, Neil, Michael & Danni
