Co-Chairmen SHARE THEIR thoughts AHEAD OF TOday’s clash with DORKING…
Good morning – how are the nerves ?
This lunchtime Torquay United face Dorking Wanderers in the National League South Play-Off Semi-Final, with a place in the Promotion Final at stake. These are the occasions everyone at the club works for — players, staff, volunteers, supporters and sponsors alike — and we know Plainmoor will be packed, loud and right behind Jimmy Ball and the team.
First of all, thank you.
The response to today’s fixture has been outstanding, and the huge crowd expected this afternoon is another powerful reminder of what this football club means to Torbay, South Devon and to our supporters far and wide. All season, you have travelled in your numbers, filled Plainmoor with noise and colour, and stood behind the team through every twist and turn.
That was certainly true again last Saturday at Tonbridge Angels. On a hot, sticky afternoon, a fantastic away following once more made their presence felt as the team produced the result we needed — a 2-1 win that secured third place in the league and, with it, today’s home semi-final. It was another example of the togetherness that has defined the best moments of this season: players, staff and supporters pushing in the same direction.
Today gives us another opportunity to show that togetherness.
Dorking will arrive at Plainmoor full of confidence and with plenty of quality. Play-off football is rarely straightforward, and semi-finals are there to be earned, not admired. But we also know what this group is capable of, and we know the difference our supporters can make when Plainmoor is in full voice.
This could be a very big week for Torquay United. Promotions do not come around often here. In 126 years, this club has celebrated only seven of them. That tells you how difficult these moments are to earn, and how special they are when they arrive.
Could this be our time? We all hope so. But nothing is given in football. It has to be won.
And this may not only be a special weekend for the men’s team. Tomorrow, we head to Bristol to support our women’s team as they look to clinch the title with a point away at AEK Boko, with a 2pm kick-off. What they have achieved this season has been outstanding. Their standards, consistency and togetherness have been a credit to the club, and we know everyone connected with Torquay United will be right behind them as they look to finish the job.
We should also recognise some of the individual achievements celebrated at our end-of-season awards. Congratulations to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, who enjoyed a remarkable evening, collecting three of the four player awards: Players’ Player of the Year, Player of the Season and Exiles Player of the Season. Sonny has been a terrific performer for us, and those awards reflect not only his talent, but the regard in which he is held by team-mates, supporters and our wider fanbase.
Congratulations also to Sam Dreyer, who was named Young Player of the Season for the second year running. Sam continues to grow, develop and represent the club with maturity beyond his years.
We were also delighted to present the inaugural Chairmen’s Award to Lorraine Ross, our front of house and shop manager. Lorraine is one of those people whose work, attitude and commitment make a football club feel like a family. She represents the values we want Torquay United to stand for every day.
Our Unsung Hero of the Year award was jointly presented to Matt Baird and Kyle Lardner from our grounds team. Their work is often done early, late, in difficult conditions and away from the spotlight — but without people like Matt and Kyle, matchdays simply do not happen. We thank them sincerely.
Off the pitch, we have also been pleased to see the positive response to TUST’s Forever Yellow membership campaign. The Trust’s ambition to raise £100,000 per year to fund areas of the football club chosen by supporters is an important and exciting initiative. It is another example of fans playing a direct role in helping to strengthen the club, and we are grateful to everyone who has already signed up or supported the campaign.
As a Board, we want to end with a heartfelt message to everyone who has stood with the club this season: our supporters, sponsors, commercial partners, volunteers, staff, players and football department.
It has been a season of change. At times, it has been challenging. There have been difficult decisions, moments of frustration and periods when we have all had to show patience and belief.
But there has also been progress, pride and a growing sense that something is building again at Plainmoor.
Whatever happens today, thank you for sticking with us. Thank you for believing in the club. Thank you for making Plainmoor feel alive again.
And who knows — perhaps this season of change will yet lead us to success.
If it does, we will celebrate together. If it does not, then we can promise you this: we will leave no stone unturned to make sure Torquay United comes back stronger and delivers next season.
Enjoy the game — and let’s make Plainmoor roar.
COME ON YOU YELLOWS!
Come on You Yellows ! Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, Michael Westcott & The Board
