Torquay United fears new regime will have echoes of the old one

Every Wednesday in the Herald Express, our Torquay United correspondent Richard Hughes takes a sideways look at what's going on in the world of the Gulls. This week, he takes a look how long we will have to be patient for before anyone knows who the bidders are - and who will even be at Plainmoor next season

Even the sun came out for Torquay United on the last day of the season, as the doom and gloom that had been floating above Plainmoor in the run-in was burned through and the goals started flowing.

No-one expected five-nil. But no one at Plainmoor on Saturday was surprised either. The pressure was off and the players turned it on like they were the best team in the National League South – which, clearly, they have not been this season.

After that massive weight of possible relegation to the Southern League was lifted at Taunton Town on Tuesday night, Saturday was always going to be a bit like a party, when there were genuine fears of a wake, as the Gulls made hard work of getting over the line in time to avoid a final-day nightmare.

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Now though, we are being asked to be patient – on the club website, by the administrators and the preferred bidders, and in interviews with the interim manager, Aaron Downes, who doesn’t even know himself whether he will have a job next season.

Wouldn’t it have been wise for someone from this preferred consortium to say, “hello, we’re getting on with it, see you soon” before Saturday? On Friday, after National South safety had been guaranteed, the people in charge of writing those little fans’ updates that appear on the club website, popped up another missive, which read: “No-one at Plainmoor can pretend that 2023-24 has gone how we would have wanted or planned, and amid the celebrations and relief shown in Somerset was the determination that this night will go on to serve as a springboard for future success.

“Although securing our status in the division was an achievement in itself, given the setbacks and uncertainty of the past three months, Torquay United AFC is a club that continues to aspire to play its football much higher up the footballing ladder, and with you, the supporters, firmly behind us, we will continue to strive towards the success we all crave. No supporters throughout the land deserve it more.

“Last week, the club announced that a preferred bidder to take over the club had been identified, and we are pleased to inform supporters that discussions are continuing regarding concluding the sale. As soon as we are able to provide a further update regarding the purchasing process, we will, of course, update our supporters accordingly.

“In the meantime, we thank you for your continued support and patience, and most of all, for standing with us. There’s every reason to be optimistic about the future.”

But there is a mounting concern that this new regime will still have echoes of the old one when the names and roles are announced. I wonder how the ‘continuity’ of George Edwards as chief executive will go down with the fans if that’s the plan. I wonder if the new people are prepared for the backlash that will come if Mr Edwards is retained.

Talking of people being retained – what about this crop of players? I guess they must look after No 1 and I suspect a few have been offered deals elsewhere. I can’t imagine no one is interested in Aaron Jarvis and, as much as he did for us over the last two seasons, and as passionate as he was on the sidelines at Taunton, surely he will want to be playing higher than the National South next season. And then there is Brett McGavin, who on his day is a special player. Would he want to be playing the National South again?

Asa Hall and Dean Moxey? What are their thoughts on the uncertainty? Deano got my vote for Player of the Season (which he won) and he looks like he could play at this level way into his 40s. The youngsters? There is so much to be sorted out – and so little time to get things done. Which is why, if we have to wait until mid-May, might we be starting again with a clean slate in August?

Well, maybe not a completely clean slate – especially if Mr Edwards is part of the plans. Interesting times to come, methinks.

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