Fears for Torquay with Gulls set for administration

CLUB COULD FOLD AS CHAIRMAN OSBORNE DEPARTS PLAINMOOR

- RICHARD HUGHES

THE future of Torquay United is hanging in the balance after owner Clarke Osborne stepped down as chairman yesterday and said he is entering the football club into administration.

The Gulls have played football at Plainmoor since 1921 and entered the Football League in 1927- after various amalgamations of smaller clubs, from the roots of an original Torquay United in 1899.

That is the date the team has worn proudly on its shirts in recent seasons - but this news means there is a very real danger that the club could go out of business.

Fans and the Torquay United Supporters' Trust - have been calling for change in the way the club has been run over recent seasons, and a yellow card protest was planned for tomorrow's National South clash with Aveley. Whether or not Osborne (pictured) walking away comes as a result of this, and other recent protests, is not clear, but having put more than £5 million into the club since its acquisition by his company, Gaming International, in 2016, this development leaves Torquay in an extremely perilous position.

At the time of the announcement, TUST chairman Nick Brodrick was driving to Plainmoor from his home in Somerset for a pre-planned meeting with CEO George Edwards.