Torry Army reinvented

The new football season is about to resume in Spain, at least in the level below La Liga, depending if the players go on strike or not! Locally, Orihuela Costa, CD Montesinos, Pilar de la Horadada and FC Torrevieja probably attract the majority of International support.

The highest profile team is FC Torrevieja who this year have been trying to reinvent themselves, a new manager, new squad members, new steering group to try and change the financial circumstances of the team, all now in place, or almost! Plus, after all the problems over the past few years, the Torry Army is re-inventing itself just like the football club it supports FC Torrevieja

As we go to press, there are still a few areas of uncertainty surrounding the club, namely that the manager has been offered a La Liga scouting position and has left the club and so the squad and management team have still to be finalized, but two weeks away from kick-off. In terms of support, one former supporters club has now defected to another local team which brings us back to FC Torrevieja’s original supporters club; The Torry Army. In the Spanish Press it was reported that 41-year old Jose Manuel Garci'a Payá, from Aspe, is the new manager of FC Torrevieja. He has played for Elche, RCD Mallorca, UBD Almeria, CP Menda, Levante UD and SD Compostela and managed at Mar Menor (Murcian 3rd Division), Thader Rojales (Valencian 3rd Division and Regional Preferente), Noveldense (2nd Regional), UD Almansa ( Castilla La Mancha 3rd Division) and last season Elche Illicitano (Regional Preferente Group 4) who finished the season in 2nd place in the league behind UD Altea but lost out in the promotion playoffs.
 
With a base of almost 100,000 British residents living all or part of the year in Torrevieja, The Torry army encourage all international supporters of FC Torrevieja to join the oldest and now only international supporters club of FC Torrevieja; The Torry Army, which in future, will operate more along the lines of a Spanish Pena..
 
Under the leadership of Pat Stewart and her small committee of willing helpers, the Torry Army has trimmed its expenditure significantly over the last year so does not need to generate too much revenue in order to meet its running costs. It will no longer give money to the football club to pay for club finances but will continue to actively and positively promote the football club and help it in any way it can. The Torry Army, as it as always done, will offer, when there is sufficient demand, coach transport to away games and organise social events for the enjoyment of its members a couple of times each month.

In short the Torry Army will be run for the benefit of its members. The Torry Army will be producing a pocket sized  list of players with photos/ squad numbers and fixture list for the season and will  also produce and give out a free newsletter of  topical information on the Torry Army and FC Torrevieja  at home games. Volunteers from the Torry Army will continue to run the Match-Day Raffle and club merchandise will be sold on behalf of the football club. 

If you are a supporter of FC Torrevieja then pick up a membership form at the Torry Army stand, just inside the entrance to the ground on match-days or visit the Torry Army office at the entrance to San Luis  which is open between 10.00 and 13.00-hrs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. At the office you can also purchase season tickets, merchandise and if you are an avid reader exchange or borrow a book from the lending library! What you can be assured of is a very warm welcome. The cost of becoming a member for season 2011/12 has been reduced to only five euros so please consider joining now.

Feel free to visit the Torry Army website www.fctorrevieja.net for up to date news on the Torry Army social events plus news about FC Torrevieja and updates, as news happens. The Torry Army are fully behind FC Torrevieja and are looking to build up its membership as the football club is its support base, following a team which this coming season is looking to play attractive football and have a highly successful league campaign.

This season is being viewed as one for both stabilization for  the club while at the same time they will be pushing for promotion. It is hoped that a democratically elected board of directors will be put in place for the 2012-13 season, as there is only a steering group in place this season, as there has been for the past couple of years, while the club deals with its difficult financial situation. Should the club rid itself of debt and especially find promotion, then other money for the redevelopment of the Vicente Garcia Stadium will be made available, to bring the zone up to the standard of the rest of the Sports City Complex.

However, bums on seats, noise in the stadium, encouraging the team to strive for promotion is the first small step required to build a successful team. Why not join the Torry Army now and help to support your local football club to a bigger and better future. The carrot, promotion up the league will mean inclusion in the King’s Cup draw with the mouthwatering opportunity for a chance draw against the likes of Real Madrid or Barcelona a possibility. Just ask any fan of Crawley Town what drawing Manchester United in the FA Cup has done to boost their support and reputation and you will have an idea of what can be achieved by supporting your local football team, FC Torrevieja.

Keith Nicol