Guardian article on Torquay United

Completely agree with rjd over on the 'Not a Catastrophe' thread. It is almost a relief to see genuine fan concerns reaching the media. The HE has deliberately decided upon a different path and that is a great shame.

Of course, those matters where the article is either not 100% accurate (postponed mayoral decision) or happened under previous owners (Exodus working as a doorman), could be latched onto by some fool or another and I fully expect that sort of puerile analysis perhaps with a related quote from their man of the 'absolute' guarantee may be all the HE does in referring to the article.

I hope to be surprised, but the 'absolute' guarantee nonsense in the Herald last week would suggest otherwise. I wonder if the Swindon newspaper has managed to catch up with GI about the latest news that the Robins won't be in a new home this season? ITV had a similar problem getting hold of GI for comment re TUFC recently, I'm sure many may recall. For anyone who missed that bit of recent GI news elsewhere other than the HE or on TUFCTV, see the below.

The Club has made a response. It contains the words "cast-iron guarantee of the intention" to build a replacement when referring to Osborne's Q&A. This might be to provide correction, but appears a downgrading from the 'absolute' guarantee to build one to move into before leaving Plainmoor - as the HE attributed to Osborne last week.

I am guessing this article on the OS will receive a bit of tweaking as it appears presently to be an embarrassing rant, but it certainly contained the words I have quoted above at the time of posting.

Of course, they do not deal with the "previous stadia promised by GI but not delivered by GI" part of the article. Why would they?

Things have certainly kicked off while I have been out tonight with the club responding to the article HERE

Unfortunately, GI have a credibility issue when it comes to building stadia which still has not been addressed, possibly because it can't be, casting further doubt on their motives. Therefore, whatever they say, be it their intention or cast iron guarantee, there is a risk, which to be fair is inherent in all development projects, that it won't come to fruition. The freehold probably represents the only safeguard that the fans have left to ensure there is a fit for purpose stadium left in the bay and so far no adequate explanation has been provided as to why it needs to be acquired contrary to what was stated in this response....

And the Podcast team should go as well. Pity the HE cannot get proper journalists!

Weasel words. As if his comments made up the "bulk of the Observer article". What about the non-stadia development, eh? Sidestepped by owners who were only responding because of its inclusion and now sidestepped by the HE. Disgraceful. Shame on them.

www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/04/17/incompetent-owners-have-ruined-coventry-leyton-orient-torquay/

"Meanwhile at Torquay, things are bleaker still. Since the club were taken over by Clarke Osborne, a serial club owner with an eye to real estate deals, they have been poised, unless things suddenly start going better, ready to be evicted from the National League into the boondocks beyond, a semi-professional twilight existence for what was once a vibrant, self-sustaining league staple."

"One thing we can guarantee about the sorry mess is that at Coventry, Orient and Torquay when the wrecking ball incompetents inevitably move on, it will be the supporters rattling buckets to save what is left of the institutions they love."