Gulls Agree Long-Term Collaboration with The Bucks
Torquay United Football Club is pleased to announce a formal ‘Partner Club’ agreement with Buckland Athletic, marking an exciting new chapter in the relationship between the two clubs.
Following the Bryn Consortium’s takeover at Plainmoor last summer, Torquay United and Buckland Athletic have enjoyed a strong working relationship. This new partnership will now strengthen ties further, creating a clear pathway for young players in the club’s youth set-up to gain invaluable men’s football experience as they make the transition from youth to senior football.
As part of the agreement, United’s FA Youth Cup home fixtures will be hosted at Buckland’s VX3 Stadium, providing an excellent platform for the club’s emerging talent. Additionally, the partnership will see the introduction of an annual pre-season fixture, with Paul Wotton’s side set to begin their 2025/26 preparations at Homers Heath in July.
This collaboration reflects the shared ambition of both clubs to climb higher in the English football pyramid. While remaining separate, competitive entities, the partnership will foster greater cooperation in several areas, including player development and matchday experience, benefiting both clubs and the wider South Devon football community.
Torquay United Co-Chairman Michael Westcott expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership:
“Buckland Athletic is a fantastic club with excellent values, and formalising this partnership was the natural next step. One of the Bryn Consortium’s core objectives has always been to bridge the gap between youth, through our U-18s academy with South Devon College, and senior football by giving our most promising young players opportunities for regular men’s football at a crucial stage in their development.
“This is by no means a one-way arrangement – it will be a mutually beneficial relationship, helping both clubs achieve their goals. We’re also looking forward to returning to Homers Heath this summer for what will become a traditional pre-season fixture.”
Buckland Athletic Co-Chairman John Piller echoed Westcott’s sentiments, highlighting the benefits for both clubs:
“We are delighted to formalise this partnership with Torquay United. Both clubs are ambitious and share a common vision for growth, so it makes perfect sense to collaborate in this way.
“I would like to thank Torquay United CEO Joe Lovell for his support in making this happen, and also express my gratitude to Co-Chairmen Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh for their commitment to forging this relationship. We look forward to working closely together in the years ahead.”
Torquay United FC is excited about the long-term potential of this partnership and looks forward to seeing young talent flourish as both clubs continue their pursuit of success.
