Merger of SWPL Team

[cornishteddyboy]

Recent press report regarding Galmpton from SWPL Div 1 East

GENTS AND GALMPTON JOINING FORCES

BY GORDON HINES

GHINES@HERALDEXPRESS.CO.UK

11:00 - 20 May 2008

Torbay Gentlemen - a club whose team wore collarless shirts and traditional long shorts, served wine during the interval and travelled to away games in an open top bus when they first joined the South Devon League some 40 years ago - are to merge.They will join forces next season with Galmpton United to field three teams - one in Division One (East) of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League, and the others in the Premier and Division One of the WBW Solicitors South Devon League.

"I think some of our results showed how we struggled at times to put out a team in the Premier Division in the season just finished," said Gents manager Andy Hill.

"It was in my mind to start a reserve team to prevent that happening again, so we were looking for someone to possibly merge with when Galmpton came up with the idea out of the blue.

"We've always had a solid backroom team, but now we have a clubhouse and our own first class playing and training facilities.

"We have something like 23 registered players, and all were in favour of the merger when it was put to the vote."

Gents and Galmpton have already notified Devon County FA, the South West Peninsula League and the South Devon League of their intentions, but must hold their individual annual meetings and then stage a special meeting before the merger is sealed.

"We've been trying to think up a suitable name for the club without hitting on one just yet, but both wish to retain their identities in some way.

"Certainly, we would want to preserve the name Torbay Gentlemen in whatever new name is decided," added Hill.

Galmpton United chairman Stuart Hallam believes the move will lead to a higher standard of football in the Bay.

"In addition to the South West Peninsula League, we've wanted a side in the Premier Division of the South Devon League so that the gap's not too wide when a player has to step up to the first team., Now we've got one.

"Not only that, but Galmpton United Reserves were also promoted from Division Two this season, so now we're about to have teams in the top two sections of the South Devon League once the merger goes through," he said.

The plan is to use Galmpton's current facilities for home games next season, and hire Clennon Valley when there are two home games on the same day and they aren't able to arrange for one to follow the other at the War Memorial Playing Fields.

"Galmpton had to hire Clennon Valley three times in the season just finished when first and reserve team games clashed at home, so we can put up with that for another season.

"After that, we have an arrangement with Churston Ferrers Grammar School to be able to use one of their two pitches that will come on stream," said Hallam, who is at pains to stress that it is a merger and not a take over by Galmpton.

"The idea to pool resources came from us. Initial contact was made by our first team manager Jason Couch, so there was no question of Torbay Gents folding or anything like that.

"They have a strong committee that can only strengthen our own committee, plus they don't want to lose their identity, which we acknowledge.

"I think Galmpton United started up somewhere around 1927, so we would want to retain some of our identity as well, but it's a good move from our perspective, because it gets more players into the club.

"In fact, once the merger goes through, it will make the club the second highest in the Bay behind Torquay United in the pyramid system," said Hallam.

For the record, Galmpton finished 14th out of 17 in the Peninsula League Division One East last season, and the Reserves were runners-up to Staverton and Landscove in Division Two of the South Devon League.

Torbay Gents were ninth in the Premier Division of the South Devon League.

CTB