A warm welcome to Torquay United’s Board of Directors and their fans who have travelled many miles to be here today.

Can I start off by saying how much I have enjoyed the last three games and how good it was to come away from Macclesfield with a very good win - last Christmas seems a long time ago and we have come a long way.

Cup games, even the Johnstones Paint Trophy are very important to a club like ours because it can bring some extra revenue into the club and of course we can get to a major Cup Final. We now play Chester City away on October 31st and I know Jim and the boys will be looking forward to the night and hopefully another win.

It will soon be the draw for the first round proper of the FA Cup which is due to be played on the 11th November where we hope of course to get a good home draw so that we can progress to the next round on December 2nd. Whilst everyone at the club appreciates Sponsors like Johnstones Paint backing a League Trophy the FA Cup for me will always have that special ingredient and excitement, I can’t wait for the draw.

Many things are happening behind the scenes at the Club and I will bring you up to date as often as possible.

The progress with the Booth Street Development continues with Council Departments considering all aspects and collecting as much information as possible before Council members view the bids.

Our Joint Development plans, if accepted, will in our opinion help transform that part of Edgeley and give a lot back to the Community and of course give the Football Club a much needed asset if we are in the future ever in a position to buy back the ground. The final details are not available yet regarding the structure of Housing/ Community Facilities because we must be guided by the Council and their requirements and the best interests of the residents is up most in our minds.
p>Please also remember that there is another interested party and the Council must consider their ideas of a Park and Ride to Edgeley Shops and other areas , which may also be beneficial to residents.

The one certain factor is that our Directors are working very hard behind the scenes with our joint venture partner to make sure that our offer meets the Councils requirements and secures the Football Clubs future.

Days are still hectic at times behind the scenes at Edgeley Park but we are getting there with the main part of the job at the moment being the final transfer of Financial documentation off Cheshire Sports, because we now have our own Accountant in place and she has being working very hard ` putting all our eggs in one basket`.

My demands are very hard but fair and may upset some people but if you are like the majority of Staff and Fans who all want success then there’s only one way to go and that’s up and to get there changes must take place. Some people do not like change and dig their heels in thinking their way will always be right and stating we’ve done this for years, granted that may be true but its not got them anywhere and we must improve things in all areas that include Car Parking, Complementary Tickets, Works Experience, Stewarding, Programme Sales Half Time Draw etc etc.

One area that keeps improving is our Commercial Department and whilst there is still room for more improvements I must still thank all the Business Community and others who are supporting the club through Sponsorship and Advertising. It is a very important cog in the wheel and the Board really appreciate everyone’s help to date. If you know of any one who may be interested in Sponsoring then please get in touch with our Commercial Department.

Another area of the Club that is also improving is the Lottery Department who are now concentrating more on Lapsed Members and recruiting more Agents that are badly needed to keep the Membership growing. They are also pushing the STANDING ORDER membership which is the easy way to join and pay your weekly subscriptions, so if you have not joined yet may I ask you to do so and help your club Finance the Youth Development of the club, who knows you may win the £1,000 weekly top prize.

Talking of prizes watch out for the clubs GRAND CHRISTMAS RAFFLE.

Tickets go on sale soon with top prizes, the first one being a Holiday for Four in Disney Land Florida, second Prize a 37” LCD TV, and the third Prize a Weekend in Paris for Two with many other prizes , tickets are only £1 each.

Enjoy today’s game and many thanks to all of you for your wonderful support Home and Away, this is a big club and the Board will all work hard to secure its long term future in its home Edgeley Park where we belong…COME ON COUNTY.