First, on behalf of everyone at the Club can I extend our best wishes and hope that you and your families are safe and well.
Following the recent update regarding the suspension of the National League indefinitely, I would like to update our supporters on the current status.
I am in regular discussion with the CEO at the National League and have dialogue with the Football Association. You will likely know from the press reports that, unfortunately there is still no decision on the completion of this season. We have and will continue to lobby for a decision and the publication of an operating procedure to implement.
With the Club having no fixtures for the foreseeable future and no ability to train or coach, Gary Johnson, his coaching team and all football players, have agreed to enter into the Government Job Retention Scheme and to accept a reduction of 20% in their salary. This step follows the agreement last week of our off-pitch colleagues to enter the Government Job Retention Scheme.
We are very grateful that we have a team at Torquay United that understand the difficulties placed on the Club during these unprecedented times. It is a credit to them all that they didn’t hesitate to show their support and commitment to our club, I would like to put on record my thanks to every member of this great team.
Whatever the decision is regarding the conclusion or the cancellation of this season, I know everyone associated with this football club are determined to take us back to the Football League. In the coming months we all have a new role to play and new battle to fight and I know everyone at the Club is determined to help the Club and to help our communities wherever we can. Torquay United is more than a Football Club, we are a family.
At this very difficult period in all our lives, there is nothing more important than a human life, so please be careful, stay at home, protect the NHS, and stay safe. We will win through and see football resume and you will see your Club win again and again.
