Torquay in crisis?

[yellow]

I imagine Argyle will take it on. There was a quote I read somewhere yesterday which said about how we gave 2/3 of the land to Argyle but the bit we were left with is where the worst problems are.

Don't fancy telling Eddie to sell Eunan for a couple of million, eh Mark? [although knowing how badly run we have been for years, it would not surprise me if we had swapped our sell-on fee in order to get Hargreaves for buggar all...]

 

[genesimmons]

3G pitches at two local schools. Our training ground is always underwater at this time of the year anyway, for about six months. Hundreds of thousands wasted on it, for nothing. We don't even have a lease, just a 'gentleman's agreement' with the farmer who owns the land. We've paid £200k + to level and drain a field that's so bad we can't even use it.

With our location, part time football at a decent level would be tough. There's no local non-league scene to speak of, or pool to draw players from. If we don't survive this year then I don't know what the future will hold.

Is same in gateshead with the non poor north east non league scene

 

[yellow]

Been announced that Truro will be groundsharing with us for some part of next season. What a trek for their fans - I highly doubt many will do it on a regular occasion.

Also, this all obviously depends on whether we continue to exist next season, I suppose.

 

[Gassy]

Looking at the table and seeing Torquay down there really makes me feel sick.

I've been following the table and results every few weeks and it just keeps getting worse. Really hope you guys stay up, and on top of that, make it back to the FL

 

[yellow]

http://www.torquayfans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8512

Board meeting in the next couple of days to "discuss on-field issues". However with this appearing last night I feel that this may become the focus point.

What a mess. Can we rewind the last four years please?

 

[GodsGift]

Extraordinary statement from Kevin Nicholson on Facebook

 

[yellow]

Isn't it just?

The outcome of this board meeting in the next 48 hours will be interesting.

Fans are getting thoroughly pissed off by what is going on, and I find it remarkable we are still getting the gates we are. The support is still there but it is gradually decreasing.

 

[Aber gas]

Extraordinary statement from Kevin Nicholson on Facebook

That's not good . Fuck no

 

[publeaguelegend]

Lol. Statement on Facebook. How tinpot can you get? Looking forward to visiting Torquay twice next season.

 

[CrazyImp]

Extraordinary statement from Kevin Nicholson on Facebook

Paul Cox sounds like he's got quite a bit to answer for. Not the first club to have a problem with him either.

 

[Southern Shayman]

That statement comes across as utter rubbish.

It's the boards job to manage the manager - why let him spend the entire budget?!

The players are offered contracts lower than minimum wage and that's all Paul Cox's fault and nothing to do with the board? Give me a break.

 

[Gulliball]

Nicholson always posts a facebook status after a game, this week's is just longer than most and more emotional, maybe in part due to the family illness and part to the escalation of off field issues. I do feel slightly sorry for him that he's bearing the brunt for a situation that's not his fault. He hasn't made a 'club statement', just a personal facebook status.

We have no money left. He's not getting paid much, and he's stuck with the squad he inherited. This squad is disjointed and even the supposed senior players are no use, either due to injury like Fairhurst or simply not good enough like Geohaghon or Heslop. Other senior players like Briscoe and Fisher aren't adding anything at the moment either. The rest are a bunch of teenagers getting paid wages they can't live on and not living like athletes as a result.

The board are at fault for letting Cox do this when he didn't have a contract. He walked out after 10 games but we're left with his squad and no chance to improve it. When he was here, it's only right that they let him spend his budget as he wished, but without him here to manage them it's left us screwed. We're getting relegated without significant squad improvements, regardless of who the manager is, so I have no issues with Nicholson, who has done what he can but has no actual chance to improve anything.

 

[Harrier94]

Simply not good enough like Geohaghon

We did warn you

 

[yellow]

Indeed - the decision not to have Cox under contract is a ridiculous one as we always ran the risk of him just upping and going. I know that could have happened had he been under contract too, but it is slightly different circumstances. I feel for Nicholson too, but we are regressing badly on the pitch, we are not competitive against average sides like Chester which is extremely worrying. It sounds by all accounts it could have been about 8-1 at the weekend.

The thing that is frustrating me most about Nicholson right now is the fact he is persisting with himself at left back. I am not a football manager but I struggle to see how he can manage the match properly when he is playing at left back, focusing on, and generally losing, his own individual battle against his opponent. Any winger with an ounce of pace or skill will lick their lips while he is playing. We have Dan Butler, a half-decent left back at this level, but Nicho has pushed him out of his comfort zone and into centre midfield. I know Nicho has years of experience and passion, but surely we can set ourselves up in a different way which doesn't involve him playing every week. Had he come in, started playing, and we'd improved form-wise then fair enough, but 1 win in the league since his arrival is not an increase at all, yet he persists.

We have a captain who has been shit for the last 12 months, and who appeared to pick up a rather needless yellow card at the weekend - which just happened to be his 10th and so he can have Christmas off. I remember a couple of years ago when Rene Howe was slaughtered for getting sent off prior to Christmas.

In my eyes we are down. Any points picked up over the next three will be a bonus, but I just see us being further adrift and our goal difference nearing -30. After that, it's 57 points to play for, of which we'll need 30 odd. Unless there is a transformation both on and off the pitch, we are down, and if that happens, I think we're gone.

 

[Chris FGR]

Unless there is a transformation both on and off the pitch, we are down, and if that happens, I think we're gone.

At least the income from the Truro groundshare might help?

 

[yellow]

I don't know how much that is. I saw rumours of £50,000-£60,000 but I don't know if that is a realistic amount? Apparently the club failed to make an annual payment to HMRC and so they're on the case too. Amateur errors like that have been going on for too long.

The turning point was Ling going off ill, but I don't think anyone saw it ending up like this.

 

[GEORGE]

I know Young has been out all season but how long has Fairhurst been injured ?. I still cannot believe what has happened to your club ( absolutely devastated for you ). If you go down to Conf South as a club is this sustainable with regards to Full time football ? What other options are there ? Obvisouly ground sharing with Truro should help (financially)
Really hope you get out of this mess -- Too much of a proper club to be in it.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Sad to see that things have turned to factions and infighting by the sounds. I know from our time as a club struggling for potential and later actual trust ownership, that infighting only destabilises and distracts from the real issues, and finances can get out of control whilst people are busy pointing fingers. Clearly there is no magic wand to fix everything quickly. Can't imagine how frustrating it must be.

 

[Railway Blue]

Lol. Statement on Facebook. How tinpot can you get? Looking forward to visiting Torquay twice next season.

Don't you fancy your chances of being in a different league to both Torquay and Truro?

 

[DT-the-gull]

The response from Cox can be read here, and should be read.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35145282

Cox said he had little choice but to spend what was left of Torquay's reduced playing budget.


"There was over a third of the budget already accounted for when I came," Cox, who was paid only expenses during he tenure at Plainmoor, told BBC Sport.


"There was nothing I could do about that. However, I managed to put together a decent squad which I feel is capable of a mid-table finish.


"I sincerely hope that Torquay avoid relegation this season as it is a great football club with an incredible set of fans and I wish them good luck in the future."

Thanks Nicholson, you're the second manager, in the second successive season to make our club look like a complete and utter laughing stock, how many, in how many different organisations and sporting clubs would have been sacked for making such a statement on social media.

 

[Railway Blue]

Indeed - the decision not to have Cox under contract is a ridiculous one as we always ran the risk of him just upping and going. I know that could have happened had he been under contract too, but it is slightly different circumstances. I feel for Nicholson too, but we are regressing badly on the pitch, we are not competitive against average sides like Chester which is extremely worrying. It sounds by all accounts it could have been about 8-1 at the weekend.

The thing that is frustrating me most about Nicholson right now is the fact he is persisting with himself at left back. I am not a football manager but I struggle to see how he can manage the match properly when he is playing at left back, focusing on, and generally losing, his own individual battle against his opponent. Any winger with an ounce of pace or skill will lick their lips while he is playing. We have Dan Butler, a half-decent left back at this level, but Nicho has pushed him out of his comfort zone and into centre midfield. I know Nicho has years of experience and passion, but surely we can set ourselves up in a different way which doesn't involve him playing every week. Had he come in, started playing, and we'd improved form-wise then fair enough, but 1 win in the league since his arrival is not an increase at all, yet he persists.

We have a captain who has been shit for the last 12 months, and who appeared to pick up a rather needless yellow card at the weekend - which just happened to be his 10th and so he can have Christmas off. I remember a couple of years ago when Rene Howe was slaughtered for getting sent off prior to Christmas.

In my eyes we are down. Any points picked up over the next three will be a bonus, but I just see us being further adrift and our goal difference nearing -30. After that, it's 57 points to play for, of which we'll need 30 odd. Unless there is a transformation both on and off the pitch, we are down, and if that happens, I think we're gone.

Thanks for the upgrade.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

The response from Cox can be read here, and should be read.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35145282

Cox said he had little choice but to spend what was left of Torquay's reduced playing budget.


"There was over a third of the budget already accounted for when I came," Cox, who was paid only expenses during he tenure at Plainmoor, told BBC Sport.


"There was nothing I could do about that. However, I managed to put together a decent squad which I feel is capable of a mid-table finish.


"I sincerely hope that Torquay avoid relegation this season as it is a great football club with an incredible set of fans and I wish them good luck in the future."

Thanks Nicholson, you're the second manager, in the second successive season to make our club look like a complete and utter laughing stock, how many, in how many different organisations and sporting clubs would have been sacked for making such a statement on social media.

Not defending him because he's at Barrow (no opinion on him yet), but it's easy to blame someone who's left. Did Cox not quit because the club went back on what it promised him and cut the transfer budget. Is Nicholson saying he spent too much but didn't spend enough on wages?
And surely a budget is a budget, regardless of whether you spend it in one go or spread it out.

Just sounds like excuses and diverting attention from his/their own failings.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Shocker that Torquay are paying players below the minimum wage. Any idea what the budget is down there? Any suggestions of going part time? I presume if and when you are relegated, that will happen?

 

[yellow]

Upgrade, Railway Blue ?

We are paying 'minimal' wages, not minimum. There is a difference, annoyingly the BBC tweaked Nicholson's words to get a better story. I'd hazard a guess at the budget being £400k or so. No part-time suggestions, if we go down I think we'll go bust.

Also, the CEO of the club has said not to expect a statement about the board meeting today. Which is just fucking great with all of this shit going on off the pitch.

 

[Alty Pieman]

Sorry to hear of your ongoing issues, however, thats 150K more than our budget !
Your manager does seem to have far too much to say though, maybe with justification in some respects, but the press never help the situation.

 

[Raymondo316]

Whats with your forum, tons of people on there just seem to want to give up on the club if they get relegated....its like they feel the level is below them

Surely actually having a club, be it playing at a lower level is better then having no club at all

 

[Railway Blue]

Upgrade, Railway Blue ?

We are paying 'minimal' wages, not minimum. There is a difference, annoyingly the BBC tweaked Nicholson's words to get a better story. I'd hazard a guess at the budget being £400k or so. No part-time suggestions, if we go down I think we'll go bust.

Also, the CEO of the club has said not to expect a statement about the board meeting today. Which is just fucking great with all of this shit going on off the pitch.

If you look at the post more closely I was referring to us being called an average side.

 

[DT-the-gull]

Not defending him because he's at Barrow (no opinion on him yet), but it's easy to blame someone who's left. Did Cox not quit because the club went back on what it promised him and cut the transfer budget. Is Nicholson saying he spent too much but didn't spend enough on wages?
And surely a budget is a budget, regardless of whether you spend it in one go or spread it out.

Just sounds like excuses and diverting attention from his/their own failings.

Cox left due to the club apparently going back on a promise to review the way he (Cox) was being paid, Cox started on expenses only and was due a pay review in October, it appeared not to be forth coming so Cox quit, he was invited back to talk money, however it became clear our club couldn't pay enough.

Excuses, diverting attention. Yes, totally agree.

 

[DT-the-gull]

Whats with your forum, tons of people on there just seem to want to give up on the club if they get relegated....its like they feel the level is below them

Surely actually having a club, be it playing at a lower level is better then having no club at all

I don't agree that it has anything to do with the National South being a level below TUFC, it is difficult to take when our club was in the football league for so long that's true, I think it's more down to the strained relationship between the club and it's fans, many TUFC feel we've as fans have been treated appallingly by the previous outgoing board and the current one that took over in the summer.

The promise was made by the new board to bring the club back into the community, win hearts and minds, and be more transparent and talk to it's fans. We have seen allegation being levelled, claim and counter claim, rumour flying about all over the place, and our club doesn't seem to want to talk to us.

For me personally I've been going since 1980, seen some dark times, been through 2 promotions to League 1, relegation and promotion from and back to the football league, and been to all 5 Wembley visits with TUFC, I support my club, it's in the heart and will never leave, will I go to games and support my club in the national south, yep, I'll be there, and I reckon our gates will still top 1,000.

Hard core TUFC fans are pretty loyal, you can see that, we're now facing almost certain relegation, yet over 400 went to Eastleigh, 100 went to Chester from Torquay Saturday, and not far off that went to Chesham last Tuesday night for an F.A Trophy replay, many fans think we desrve better and I'd agree with them.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Nicholson having a go because he is outraged at how little some of the players are getting payed yet moaning that Cox didn't leave any of the budget back doesn't really make any sense.