talkSPORT host Charlie Baker jokes he’ll start OnlyFans page to get beloved Torquay out of administration
talkSPORT's Charlie Baker jokes he's willing to go to extreme lengths to get his beloved Torquay United out of administration - by starting an OnlyFans page.
The Devon-based club announced on Thursday that it had been placed into administration after owner Clarke Osborne said he can no longer fund the club. The club also announced the sacking of manager Gary Johnson on Thursday.
This is a very uncertain time for Torquay and Gulls fan Baker says he'll do what he can to generate some much needed funds.
Posting a picture of himself wearing white boxers while holding a cardboard cutout of a Cornish pasty he jokingly broke the news, but also gave fans an alternative of donating to the Torquay United Supporters Trust.
Baker said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Ok. An OnlyFans."
"If that’s what it takes. P**** in bio. Or you can join or donate to the Torquay United Supporters Trust."
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Torquay, who are 11th in the National League South, which is the sixth tier of English football, have been owned by Osborne since 2016 after he bought the club from a fan-led consortium.
During Osborne's premiership Torquay have been relegated twice and missed out on promotion to League Two in 2021 after losing to Hartlepool in the National League play-off final.
Osborne has also stood down as chairman with the club facing a ten-point deduction, which as things stand would see them go just four points above the National League South's relegation zone.
"It is with sincere regret that I advise that circumstances beyond my control during the last five weeks have brought me to the position that I an unable to continue financial support for the club and I have today filed on behalf of the directors an intention to appoint an administrator for the club and company," Osborne said in a statement on the club website.
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"The financing of football in this country is precarious and can only thrive in the lower divisions where there is either a close collaborative relationship with the local authority, it is a trophy asset or is backed by substantial local individuals and businesses," Osborne added.
"I believe that it needs a fundamental overhaul of its financing structure, rights distribution in the lower leagues and recognition that many clubs represent a fundamental part of the local community and its visitor attractions.
"Ambitious clubs should, in my opinion, be given special status in their push to bring in investment, develop facilities, bring spend and employment to the local economy."
Osborne had kept the club afloat with the last set of accounts showing loans of almost £4.3million to the club. It is expected that figure will pass £5m with the new accounts for the year to June 2023 due soon.