Safeguarding at Plainmoor – Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum age for young children to attend matches with their parent / guardian?

Torquay United AFC prides itself on being a family-friendly Football Club which welcomes supporters of all ages into its stadium on matchdays. Our designated family area, the JMV Family Stand, is the most suitable area for families to be seated together, and can accomodate for supporters young and old alike.

How close does my child have to be to their accompanying adult?

Any children aged 13 or below must attend with, and remain in close proximity of, an adult aged 18 or over when watching the match. The Club also reserves the right of determining the proximity between the child and their accompanying adult.

Can my young child watch a match on the Thatchers Popside / Wollens Terrace, instead of sitting?

Whilst supporters are welcome to watch the game wherever they please, the safety of all supporters is paramount, and whilst it remains the responsibility of accompanying parents / guardians to decide which area is most suitable for their child the the Club strongly encourages young children and babies to remain seated with their families in either Bristow’s Bench, or ideally, the JMV Family Stand.

Who is responsible for my child at Plainmoor?

Whilst the Club will do everything possible to ensure the safety of all supporters at Plainmoor, the Club cannot accept responsibility for the welfare of individual children attending matches.

What age can my child attend alone?

TUAFC fully respects, and supports, that it is the responsibility of parents / guardians of young supporters to decide if their children should be allowed to attend matches at Plainmoor alone. However, in order to help ensure the safety of our youngest supporters, the minimum age that children can attend matches at Plainmoor unattended is 14 years of age.

Will my child be photographed or filmed at Plainmoor?

Whilst our photographers / videographers, or external media outlets, will always do their utmost to seek the permission of individuals, or their parents / guardians when taking close-range images, all matches at Plainmoor are liable to be covered by internal and external media outlets, with images and video also published online, on social media and / or on television. Therefore, all supporters attending matches at Plainmoor must agree to these terms when attending the stadium.

If an image of your child is published by the Club and you would prefer it was removed, please contact the club by emailing [email protected], and the Club will do its utmost to remove / replace this promptly.

I have a concern – where can I get assistance with my query?

Any individuals that have any concerns or queries regarding the safety of a young person at Plainmoor on matchdays is advised to speak to a member of our Matchday Stewards in the first instance.

Torquay United’s designated Safeguarding Officer is Paul Bishop, who can be contacted on non-matchdays on 07850 692163