Torquay United comes to Torquay Library

Recently Friends of Torquay Library held a talk by Andrew Candy Chief Executive Officer of Torquay United Football club. On Thursday 20th February he kindly came along to give us a talk on how The Club integrates into the community of Torquay. Jack Critchlow, Chairperson of The Friends of Torquay Library opened the event using the following facts. Modern Torquay is but 200 years old. However, Torquay United Football club and Torquay Library are two of the oldest institutions in the town and many of the football supporters are members of the library. Torquay United was founded in May 1899 at Torre Abbey Public House and the Pub is still in existence. Whereas Torquay Library was founded in April 1906 and sited in the front of the town hall at Castle Circus and is still in existence next to the town hall in the council hub.

The club kindly donated two tickets to a match at Plainmoor and a fantastic signed poster as raffle prizes on the afternoon. Each fan who attended the talk was also given a club programme to take away.
Mr Candy began by asking the audience who had attended a recent game at Plainmoor and was very impressed to note that all the audience had indeed enjoyed a recent game. He went on to explain how he progressed from fan to CEO. He was born in Torquay and a true fan of the club. He has a background in Human Resources with various councils. He moved away from the town with work, but returned to Torquay and volunteered in many roles before gaining a position as general manager. This in due course, with his administrative background, lead to him becoming the Chief Executive Officer (his dream job).

Although he touched on the fact that the club was run as a business, albeit small Mr. Candy as CEO overseas many roles. For example, staff management, media coverage, maintenance, grounds man, finance and many more roles involved in running a football club. He explained that they also participate in social media formats to inform their fans about changes to games and tickets etc. Andrew went on to explain that they are very proud of their facilities at the club and do their upmost to use their clubhouse in a variety of innovative ways, not least to appeal to 6th form pupils of Westland’s school with a lunch club which is very popular. Torquay United Football clubs board of directors are made up of local professional people and are committed to helping promote the club within the community. The club arrange coaching in schools and half term football events for the young persons of Torquay.

Mr Candy reiterated that both Torquay United Football Club and Torquay Library have incredibly enthusiastic staff and both play an important part in the community. Despite falling numbers and struggling with their finances (he finished his very entertaining talk by using the quote) “We are still here”. Do please support these two pillars of the community as they are as precious as gold to the town.
Jack Critchlow then hosted a Q & A session and Andrew Candy was thanked for such an interesting and informative talk.

Andrew Candy, TUFC, at Torquay Library

Tell all your friends who support Torquay United Football Club that we have a special guest coming to talk about our local team. Chief Executive of Torquay United, Andrew Candy, will be at Torquay Library next Thursday 20th February, 14.00 for 14.30. The talk will be free to members and £2.00 for non-members, but we’re also offering free entry to all school and college pupils so it’s ideal as a half term treat. PLUS, everyone who comes gets free entry into a prize draw for tickets to a home match!

Autumn 2013 events

Our coffee mornings are going to be even more entertaining! From this month, there will be a selection of traditonal games to while away a half hour with, so whether you fancy puzzling over a jigsaw or testing your vocabularly with Scrabble, get along to Torquay Library on Wednesday 16th October for a cuppa, any time between 10.00 and 12.00.

And coming up in November, we’re delighted to welcome Janet Downer, Brenda Loosemore and Lorna Smith to present “Devon in Poetry and Prose”. Their show has gone down tremendously well at Brixham Library and other venues, so don’t miss your opportunity to catch them on Thursday 14th November, 14.00 for 14.30 start. Free if you’re already a Friend, of course, and only £2 for your guests (although you could point out to them that for only another £3 they can become a member and enjoy a whole year’s events!).