TORRY ARMY MOVING FORWARD

Sport » Soccer » FC Torrevieja

Andy Hermida / 2009-06-28 19:37:08

Chico comes to the club after success with Horadada

On Thursday 2nd July the Torry Army hold their Annual General meeting at Casa Ventura.

It starts at 8pm for all members and it is imperative that as many people as possible attend so they can be briefed about the support they have given the football club in it’s time of need as well as it’s new priorities and direction for the coming season.

Last season both the football club and the Torry Army underwent many important managerial changes that benefited them both.

The new President of the club took over the club with known debts of some 400,000 euro on top of which a further 70,000 euro debt came to light shortly after his arrival in respect of outstanding salaries for players who had played for the club, some of them 4 years previously, which were not in the original budget, so the club got off to it’s new start with nearly a half million euro debt, but thanks to the Council, the club and the Torry Army the club is now able to start the coming 2009/2010 season with a small surplus, but it does not mean that we can relax.

The current financial situation has meant that both organisations have lost the funding and support of MoneyCorp. The Torry Army, however, will continue working hard to find replacement sponsors will want to can benefit from their association with an organisation that is universal, with a world wide website which attracts 1 million hits per year. It’s individuality is unparalleled by any club outside of the top divisions.

There has been great activity over the closed season. The manager Jose Agustin Soto has signed a further extension to his contract, which means that he shall be with the club for a further 2 years. His performance last season, with one of the smallest budgets in the league, took the club into the play-offs.

A magnificent achievement in itself. There were a number of much larger clubs that wanted his services but he refused stating that he wanted to finish the job at FC Torrevieja by gaining promotion.

He has already re-signed several of last season’s players, Aurelio (GK) David (GK), Bailen (Def) Arrazola (Def), Jorge (Def), Corcoles (For) Lotfi (For), Cristian Green (Mid) and at present the club is in negotiations with Heredia, who has agreed a new contract but has not yet signed, and Carrasco who is still in negotiation. Roberto has taken his exams to join the National Police Force but as yet his results have not been released so the club is still waiting for the outcome.

The club has also signed 3 new players with more to be announced. These are Jose Antonio Fernandez Pomares (Josan), a left winger who comes to us on recommendation from UD Horadada. Also from the same club we have signed an exciting young right winger know as Chico, Jose Antonio Gonzalez Alcala.

While at Horadada he became a club favourite, scoring a dozen or so goals in as many appearances. The 3rd signing is that of midfielder Cristian San Narciso (Cristian) from second division B Hercules.

Players released by the club are as follows: - De Los Rios, Matias, Edu, Dani Meseuger, and Carmona. No doubt this list will increase as soon as we can make contact with a number of players who are still on holiday.

The club’s season ticket prices have been released and due to the economic crisis have been dramatically reduced to reflect today’s financial climate and also help supporters to continue to support the club, at the same time even attracting attract even more support. The prices are as follows:- VIP 120€ (reduced by 30€), General tickets 100€ (reduced by 20€) Senior citizens & Ladies 70€ (reduced by 10€).

There is also a new season ticket which is primarily aimed at students, ages from 16-23, and these can be purchased at 50€ each. Season tickets can now be obtained from the Torry Army office in San Luis. The football club intends to continue it’s policy of allowing the unemployed into the ground free on production of a valid unemployment certificate, for all nationalities.

The Torry Army will be active during the summer in a recruitment drive as it attempts to increase its membership. We hope to reach that magical figure of 1,000 memberships. Last season the Torry Army supported the club financially with a sum in excess of 43,000 euros covering a number of areas of expenditure which allowed the club to concentrate on finding players and staff wages. As such it has been instrumental in working with the club providing total support both financially and physically so that the club can move forward into the coming season.

Last season was the hardest imaginable for the Torry Army, primarily because of the instability of the currency markets and the collapse of the economy, which left a large number of football clubs in financial meltdown.

Many clubs were unable to pay wages but the prudence of FC Torrevieja, together with the continued support of the Torry Army as well as the enormous financial support of the council saw the club able to weather the storm, not having to take drastic action, that saw a number of much senior clubs go to the wall.

But to move forward the Torry Army needs your support, now more than ever. So why not join an organisation whose sole purpose is to ensure continued football in the town, continued football with on of the most successful clubs in the country. It will grow, it has to grow, so that the club can achieve its ultimate goal in bringing senior football to the community. Together we can achieve this because we all believe it’s possible. Join our quest for glory. Become a member of the Torry Army now.

Andres Hermida
Chairman of The Torry Army

Tags: Fctorrevieja, Torryarmy