FC TORREVIEJA’S SOCIO MEETING ANOTHER FIASCO

It's been another week of fun and games off the field at FC Torrevieja. After a week of discontent, meetings and much activity on the various Torrevieja forum sites, Tuesday 9 November was set aside for the reconvening of the postponed Socios meeting from two-weeks before.

Disruption was expected and Policia Local kept their distance from the Infanta Christina, waiting in the wings should any trouble erupt. 21 of a total of 48 paid-up Socios, of expatriate origin, showed up for the 20:30 meeting but quickly recognised that they would not be allowed to hold a peaceful meeting due to the arrival of the entire FC Torrevieja Squad, management and supporters of the Frente Salinero, the Spanish Pena.

The idea of the Socios EGM, just like any club's AGM/EGM, is so that members can discus and vote on matters relating to the issues at hand. In this instance, the Socios were there to decide on the best way forward for FC Torrevieja and whether or not, to accept an offer to run the club from an interested party.

The entire FC Football squad arrived just before 2000-hrs and made their way to the Press Room inside the Infanta Christina. Members of the Socios decided to stay downstairs. The lawyer from FC Torrevieja returned to the lobby to see if the socios were going to participate in the discussion.

However, it was also stated that any socio would also have to produce their receipt to prove that they have paid for this season, otherwise they would not be allowed to vote, thus making their membership cards and any list of members, void!

It conspired that all members of the football squad had suddenly become socios, paid for by a benefactor, as they all had a receipt for €250 on them! Thus, faced with being outvoted in any matter that was put to vote, the 21-socios decided not to participate and walked away from the facility to discuss among themselves what their future position will be with supporting the club.

The outcome of the matter is that the players from FC Torrevieja are also the ‘major shareholders' and as such the players are supporting themselves! There are many issues here, such as; the cut-off for becoming a Socio was 30 September yet they had become socios over a month later plus the fact that nobody paid any money to the Club Treasurer to go into the Socio account!

However, all of that seems to have been set aside, a new Junta or steering committee has been formed and as long as wages and expenses are covered, the team will continue as usual; or will they!

The major outcome of this players' revolt is that the majority of the British and Irish supporters are now looking at the team in a different light, with many stating that they will not return to watch the team play, while the present regime is in charge. It is very much the situation of the ‘dog biting the hand that feeds it'.

As pointed out in ‘A message from Pat Stewart of the Torry Army on www.fctorrevieja.net: “Over the years we Torry Army) have donated approx 100,000 euros to the Club In Tuto`s reign we donated approx 35,000 euros plus 11,000 euros at Xmas to the players as a gift because they had not been paid and presents for their children and a party. Corcoles and Ramiro were there (protesting against Paul Hurrell on 31 October), what short memories.

We paid Lotfi`s & Torre's wages, the team coaches for a season, overnight stays, food and the team strip. We paid 10,000 euro for wages in Cagigao's reign and 10,000 in February 2010 which was paid straight to the players which we were vilified for as both these amounts were supposed to be loans, but were never paid back; the list goes on.”

It seems unlikely that many former loyal supporters will continue to watch the team. For most supporters, it was an enjoyable way to while away a Sunday afternoon. They certainly didn't go to watch outstanding football but more for the atmosphere and chance to meet up with friends every fortnight. The Torry Army have adopted an attitude of waiting to see what happens, while continuing to be a social club, enjoying lunches, golf outings and other activities.

FC Torrevieja's players may now have the person in charge that they wanted. If their manager had not overspent his budget in the first instance, then the club might not have found itself in this predicament.

The British, Irish and Northern European supporters will possibly return to the Vicente Garcia to see if they feel welcome, or not! If not, there is already talk of the possibility of a new, International Torrevieja team being formed, just as is the case this season with Orihuela Costa. As Dino B put it, “The irony could possibly be that members of the Torry Army and FC Torre Fans could switch allegiance and follow a new team.

That could see 2,000 people watching a minor but happy team while only 200 or so Spanish fans watch FC Torrevieja!”

The message is clear; the International supporters have done a lot to make FC Torrevieja a very special club in Spanish football. Dino continued; “Without us, FC Torrevieja are just another team struggling in the lower divisions. Some of us would rather have a good day out, put our hands in our pockets and help build a new and exciting team in Torrevieja!”

The idea is out there. Only time will tell if it comes to reality or is this but a reaction to the latest events in the Soap Opera existence of FC Torrevieja. On the other hand might ‘International' or ‘Internacional Torrevieja' be the team of the future starting 2012! With 2,000 or more supporters waiting in the wings, it might be closer to happening than one might think!