Football League 2
Saturday 22nd August 2009
Kick off 3.00pm
Stadium Plainmoor, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3PS
Telephone 01803 328 666
Club Colours Yellow and Blue
Nickname The Gulls
Official Club Website www.torquayunited.com
Key Personnel
Manager Paul Buckle took over the reins at Plainmoor in June 2007 after a stint as player/coach. Paul had a 16-year footballing career mainly in the lower and non leagues beginning as an apprentice at Brentford in 1989. Paul spent a season at Torquay United and then became a bit of a journeyman with three spells at their rivals Exeter City plus Wycombe Wanderers, Northampton Town, Colchester United Aldershot Town, Weymouth and Tiverton Town.
Impress the Locals
Torquay finished 4th in last seasons National Conference and gained promotion back to the Football League with a 2-0 victory over Cambridge United at Wembley in May 209
Brief Directions by Road
M4 and M5 (or from the A30 join the M5 at its junction 29 and follow signs for Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torquay). At the end of the M5 follow the A38 Newton Abbott and then turn left onto the A380. Turn onto the A3022 which is signposted Torquay. Follow signs for Torquay United FC/Plainmoor through 3 roundabouts. At top of hill traffic lights go straight on into Warbro Road. The ground is on the right hand side. The ground is probably the best advertised ground in the country the signs almost plead you interest. These details are courtesy of TUFC
Street parking is plentiful and fairly unrestricted unless you park literally next to the ground.
Directions by Train
A train from Paddington will take approx. three and a half hours and will involve a change at Exeter or Newton Abbot. Torquay is served by two stations these are Torre and Torquay. Torre is the nearest but still a good half-hour walk to the ground. Torquay station is near the seafront and a taxi (around £5.00) from here is really your only option.
Supporters Coaches
The BFCSA is running a coach to this fixture and the Fare Band is 'F' which is £35 for adults and £30 Concessions. The coach will depart from outside the Barnet Odeon at 8.00 sharp. For further details about supporters coach travel and how to book check out the BFCSA website at www.bfcsa.co.uk. You can also phone the Coach Travel hot line on 01707 647365. Please remember that you must be a member of the Association to travel - don't worry you can join on the day. The club wishes me to point out that supporters' coach travel is entirely organised and operated independently by the Barnet FC Supporters Association. Barnet Football Club Limited cannot be held liable for any losses occurred.
Eating and Drinking Locally.
Most of the pubs around the Quayside are really nice and friendly and most serve food. The Beacon Quay is a great bet for vale for money, decent beers and sea view. For a drink close to the ground look no further than the social club at Plainmoor - details below.
If you are able to arrive during the afternoon before making your way to the ground I insist that you try and get to Oggies home made Pastie Shop in the pedestrian shopping area near the Marina, it is an absolute must as is The Bon Bon Shop in Victoria Parade also near the Marina - chocolate and vanilla ice cream tub topped with fresh clotted cream, just a large one please. Fantastic scones and clotted cream to send home too.
The Social Club
The Torquay social club is the famous Boots and Laces and can be found under the Herald Express Stand and all are made welcome. It also serves food too!
Ground Description
Plainmoor appeals to me greatly from an aesthetic point of view as it still retains some character and is a happy medium between the new and the old. Neat avenues of daintily gabled guesthouses and homes edge the ground. The main stand dates from the early 1920's was built entirely from wood until damaged by fire in 1985. It was once the property of the local racecourse. Its larger metal neighbour was constructed in the 1950's. To the left is the Yelverton Family Stand which has room for about 2,500. Opposite is the Popular Side an efficient bank of covered terracing favoured by the more vocal of Torquay fans. Finally to the right is our home for the afternoon the Sparkworld Away Stand which is a medium sized covered bank of terracing were we can really make some noise. A small area of the main stand is also afforded to visiting fans.
Admission Prices
Terrace Adults : £16, OAP's £13, Under 16's £6
Main Stand Seating (TBC) : Adults £18, OAP's £14, Under 16's £7
Our Last Meeting& Memories
Our last visit to Torquay was in February 2007 when a rare Nicky Nicolau goal featured in a 1-1 draw.
The last game of the 2001 season was win or bust as relegation to the Conference awaited the loser. Nearly 6,000 fans squeezed into Underhill and despite a second half come back it finished 2-3 the Barnet goals coming from Greg Heald and an own goal - sad times. I can just remember the 1971 season when a Colin Flatt goal was not enough in a 1-4 defeat at home in the FA 2nd round plus one of the most exciting contests ever to be staged at Underhill. Bees 5-4 Torquay in December 1992 - the goalscorers that day are a Hall Of Fame in their own right, Brian Stein, Gary Bull,(2), Mark Carter and Nicky Evans.
My 22nd wedding anniversary some years ago fell perfectly with a trip to Plainmoor and Mrs Reckless the boys and I spent a fantastic evening with hoards ( I was seeing double you understand) of Barnet supporters in the aforementioned Beacon Quay Pub/Restaurant which is directly under the Coastguard station.
Overnight Stay Factor
Here I go…..When the fixtures were announced this was the one I am sure most people looked for and we have come up trumps. The English Rivera/Torquay United is worth a visit any time but August? Top marks FA Computer. Book fast if you plan to stay as I can honestly reveal reasonable B and B's are at a premium already.
Juicy stories from Barnet trips to Torquay are legendary but they need digesting over a few pints - maybe in the Pavilion? I am normally there before games you know.
Celebrity Watch
Dame Agatha Christie was born in 1890 in Torquay and Mr and Mrs Reckless have always found her crime thriller 'They Do It With Mirrors' very stimulating. The USA's premier porn star Layla-Jade is actually a Brit and was also born here. Sky TV's Helen Chamberlain is a well known regular face at Plainmoor although Young One Rik (great name!) Mayall, BBC's Sue Barker (a tennis player who allegedly played the role of Devil Woman with another Young One!), Bruce Forsyth, Jim Davidson and the late Bus Driving actor come young Dennis Signy lookalike Reg Varney are/were not, but live/lived locally anyway.
