August 27, 2024
The Torquay United Supporters' Trust is excited to announce the formal launch of a Community Share Issue(CSI). This is a unique opportunity for supporters of Torquay United FC to purchase community shares in TUST, to invest in our beloved football club.
In addition to becoming indirect shareholders of your football club, the funds raised from the CSI will not only boost TUFC's prospects of its long-term ambition of regaining its EFL status, it will also help safeguard its long-term future and place us on the path towards financial sustainability.
Following an investment of £50,000 via its Forever Yellow fund, TUST has already been granted a protected seat on TUFC's Board of Directors. If the CSI target of £100,000 is met, then TUST receives a second seat on the Board and enhanced minority shareholder rights offered to it by the Bryn Consortium, which will help protect Torquay United FC in the coming years ahead and ensures Gulls supporters will ALWAYS have a voice in the running of the Club.
Protecting TUFC for future generations
These rights will guard TUFC against a number of changes that would affect the Club, its supporters, and its local community most – namely Torquay United's heritage assets.
This means that no matter whoever owns the club in future, no majority shareholder of Torquay United FC will be able to change the Club's name, stadium location, home colours or even our Club crest without TUST's agreement.
This means supporters will have the final say on these most crucial of decisions, and the last few years – not just here at Plainmoor, but across the wider football community – have shown us all just how vital that is.
Enhancing TUFC's prospects now
As well as safeguarding the club for future generations of the Yellow Army, investing into TUFC via the Community Share Issue will also enhance United's prospects on and off the pitch in the short-term too.
These funds will be used however deemed best by the Club's Board, but may include providing additional investment to Paul Wotton's first-team playing budget, enhancing the facilities around Plainmoor to drive new revenue opportunities, supporting the club's youth structure and Academy, or boosting TUFC's commercial and hospitality operations – both of which are crucial in order to create a thriving and fully-sustainable professional football club.
With two TUST Board seats, supporters will be able to directly influence how the TUFC Board prioritises investments back into your football club.
What do I need to do?
Firstly, you need to become a TUST member to participate in the CSI.
A range of supporter investment packages are available which will offer the same level of input towards Torquay United's future. These packages start from just £250, with each package offering a range of additional benefits provided by the Bryn Consortium.
All payments will be pledged via the TUST's designated crowdfunding page: www.tust.co.uk/yellow-army-share-issue, where supporters will also be able to o
By Official TUFC TV
