FC Torrevieja is on a losing streak at the moment and heading for the relegation zone. But this is nothing in comparison with what has been happening off the field. This week’s latest in the Soap Opera saga was an ‘Open Letter’ from Snr. Boix, who is President of the Junta Gestora of FC Torrevieja. The message is clear, it’s one of let’s forgive and forget the past because most of what happened was a misunderstanding and move forward. In part, it reads:
“Over recent weeks there have been a number of grave misunderstandings on the part of both British and Spanish fans, which has led to accusations and division between different sectors of supporters. The cause of this, I suggest, has been a breakdown in communication possibly fuelled by certain so-called fans, from both sectors, whose intervention has only served to cause more division; be their actions and comments deliberately harmful or just misplaced.
Firstly I wish to make it perfectly clear that despite allegations to the contrary by certain sectors, I have no doubt that the previous chairman, Paul Hurrell and his committee carried out the management of the club in an honest and sincere manner with the best interests of the club in mind and to their best ability. Equally irrelevant are the unfounded allegations of anything other than complete honesty.
Secondly I would like to refer to the manifestation by the players and certain fans, which took place after the home game against Puzol. It is obvious that this protest came about through frustration and misunderstanding. Whilst the protest was intended to demand an adequate solution, passions run high where money is concerned and especially in football. Perhaps it was this passion which led to what was intended to be a peaceful and controlled protest being converted into what was to some, shouts and unacceptable abuse
That said, it is appropriate that an apology should be made to Paul Hurrell especially to his wife and to any other person who felt aggrieved by what occurred. It is unlikely and unrealistic that such an apology will come from any individual nor that any disciplinary action will remedy matters. However, I sincerely hope that this open letter and apology can be accepted in the manner in which it is intended and that we can now put the matter behind us for the benefit and future of our football club.
Since the formation of this Junta Gestora a week ago, we have received total cooperation from Paul Hurrell and the previous directive committee thereby permitting us to work towards resolving the real problems of our football club. We have been able to pay the players a further month’s wages and continue to seek financial and other support in the nest interests of F.C. Torrevieja. We hope to be able to build bridges towards uniting the fans of whatever nationality and would ask that you too, will join us in this important objective.
Despite all that has gone on, the truth is that we are all supporters of OUR club, F.C. Torrevieja with a shared desire for success. I truly believe that the real supporter will look towards the future rather than allow past events to cause division amongst us.
Vicente Boix
Presidente de la Junta Gestora of F.C. Torrevieja.”
The response for the letter is two fold, on the one hand there are those who have decided that enough is enough and that they will return to watch the team as that is what they have enjoyed doing for the last few years; on the other, some of the supporters will wait and see and many had their own comments:
From Jim, who now calls himself an ex-Torry supporter, he made note of the “areas of the letter which Snr. Boix suggests we should ‘forget’ such as the 'Manager' created the players pay hiatus by deliberately going over budget, the 'Captain' has set a bad example to players & supporters and the late surge in 'Socio' membership seems dubious -to say the least!”
The same story is echoed from members of the Torry Army who were contacted by the secretary about their feelings with the majority of members saying that this olive branch is no good at all and that the main perpetrators of the trouble first of all, must be sacked ie, Manager and Captain Carcoles, before any dialogue can be entered into. They state “This letter makes no reference to why the club is in such a mess, no mention of the manager overspending on his budget, and no apology personal or otherwise to Paul and his wife by the football players, who were a discredit to the game of football.”
On Monday, November 22, former Manager and Director of Football for FC Torrevieja Jose Agustin Soto decided that he has had enough of trying to work with the club under the present regime and said:
“I had hoped that I would not need to write this letter, but due to recent events, I have no other option and I want to inform the FC Torrevieja supporters how this Junta Gestora (Steering Committee) have ignored my continual telephone requests to them via both Corcoles and the club´s solicitor, D. Vicente Garcia. I have indicated to them on various occasions, that I am willing to arrive at an amicable solution, but the way I have been treated by them leaves me with no other alternative other than to place a "Denuncia" against the Club through the courts.
I have been paid part of what I am due this season, although this was only done after I agreed to ‘write off’ a considerable amount of money from my contract beforehand. I also agreed not to proceed with my denuncia at the Spanish Football Association, which would have left the current manager, Sr. Mario Barrera, unable to become manager and sit on the bench. I did this in a effort to not hinder the Club or hurt the Club’s image any more than it already was. It goes without saying that had I known then what I know now, I would not have suggested the Club contracted Snr. Barrera as manager. Summing up, I would like to repeat that having been ignored by the new ‘saviours’ of the Club (the Steering Committee) to whom I wish all the luck in the world for the good of FC Torrevieja, I feel they have a lot to learn as to how to treat people.
Finally, I wish to thank the peña Frente Salineros for the way they have treated me personally and also to the Torry Army and the TorryFans for all the help they have always given to me and more importantly, to this Club. I will never forget how at Christmas time three years ago, the Torry Army organised a Christmas party for the players and their families. At the time, we were not being paid and the situation was ‘delicate’ to say the least.
I will always be grateful for the 3 years spent at FC Torrevieja and my biggest hope is that, one day, I will be asked to return as manager. However, I would never agree to return until each and every member of the current steering committee is no longer involved at the Club.”
The fact is that nobody else, apart from Snr. Boix, came forward and put their hand in their pocket to help the club out with the added desire to become President. It should be noted that one prominent Socio did ‘lend’ the club an additional eight thousand euros of his own money, but as a goodwill gesture and not with the desire to run the club! The likelihood is that had the first planned Socio meeting been held without disruption and without the presence of the entire FC Torrevieja Squad and management, is that Snr. Boix would probably have been voted in as President regardless!
One point that is often overlooked is that Snr. Boix is NOT the President of FC Torrevieja but only of the Junta Gestora, the steering committee. At the end of the season, 14 May the official Socio’s AGM will be held, to which every paid up member can attend and cast their vote, or send it by proxy. As former President of the football club Eddie Cagigao put it, in relation to the fact that the entire football squad and management are now Socios, “from the current crop of Socios, most will be gone by the end of the season as most of the players will move to other clubs, as they tend to do. I presume there will be elections and if someone has the funds, let them go for it!”
