Torquay United Fans Forum

Cheers for the tips all. I imagine we'll all pile into Boots and Laces unless the coach arrives really early and we have time to join the overnighters/train groups in town.

Hopefully the pitch holds up as we're looking forward to this game. The game on Day 1 was a bit of a dull affair but we've both found some attacking consistency (you guys especially) which should hopefully make for a better game. This game is a bit of a free hit for us. We're not expecting to challenge for the title. One of you or Woking may blow up but I can't see both of you doing it. Your games in hand will put you too far out of reach even if we manage to win on Saturday. So if we come away with a point of 3 then that's great. A loss wouldn't be the end of the world though unless its an embarrassing one.

I'm sure you'll be welcoming Rhys Murphy back with open arms. In the last 3-4 months he's been brilliant for us top scoring with 18 goals. Since he was harshly sent off against Truro in mid November we've won every game he's featured in. In the 5 games he missed since then we lost 4 of them! We're not quite a one man team but he's obviously our key player.

Evening Ladies and Gents. This is our first visit to Torquay for football so I was hoping you'd answer a couple of questions to help with our planning.

1) What is the bar access situation? Are away fans allowed in your clubhouse or do we get our own bar in the away end?
2) I've seen something about a Fan Zone. Is that for home fans only?
3) If we can't get access to your bar where would you recommend those coming in on the Supporters Coach head too? There are plenty coming on the train and staying over the weekend who have found various options but what is decent close to the ground for those with less time on their hands?
4) What is your grub like? Any recommendations nearby if it's the standard rubbish football food?

Thanks in advance.

Fair result yesterday. I felt we were two similar sides cancelling each out in the blazing sunshine. Both seemed defensively sound and lacked a spark in that final third. From our point of view that was a good point and it was a good time to play you given you'll no doubt improve as the full time advantage kicks in and your team starts to gel. I'm pretty content as we had a few key players missing yesterday especially in attack so we should be able to offer a bit more in the final 3rd as the season progresses. Despite us retaining 9 players from last season only 3 of them started yesterday so it was effectively a new side for us as well and so we need a bit of time to gel too.

My assesment of you is that Owers has at least got the physicality of your side right. You've big, strong and mobile players all across the pitch. You don't get out of this league trying to play tippy, tappy nice football (although that can come when the physical battle is won). You need to be able to mix it physically but you've a very solid base to build from and you'll win games this season by over powering some sides. One advantage of this league is no transfer window so you can tinker with the side all season if you want.

Welcome to the National South. I know none of you want to be here but...well, you're stuck with it for the next 9 months at least. You might as well make the best of it while you're here.

Next Saturday some of you will be travelling to Chelmsford. We play at an athletics stadium affectionally referred to as the Gulag after it was described as being like one in the local press by someone writing in to the letters page. It's not great but its better than playing 10 miles down the road in Billericay like we had to for 9 seasons after loosing our original ground. The best views are behind the goals where you are right on top of the action (one end is covered, one isn't). Our main stand is set quite back from the pitch but at least is elevated. The bar is decent enough and although a bit pricey we're often told our food van is the best in the league. One thing about next Saturday...and this is something you'll need to get used too now you're playing in proper, unsegregated non league. Fans like to switch goals at half time. If you don't its probably just gonna cause unnecessary friction. Remember you're the ones who've fallen to our level so if changing ends isn't something you'd ever consider...well you should.

As for Chelmsford itself, don't confuse this place with the TOWIE shit you see on TV. The idiots on there are all auditioned wannabe celebs picked to be controversial. Half of them are from East London rather than Essex. Whilst you still get a bit of Essex flavour in Chelmsford its a lot closer to your bog standard Home Counties commuter town than the stereotypes peddled on that show and others.

Chelmsford is pretty decent for pubs. All the best ones are right by the train station or the cricket ground. The Railway Tavern next to the station has a decent selection of beer and they always look after football crowds (expect free shots to keep you there). If you're an Ale drinker then the Chelmsford Ale house in the viaducts next to the station is class. You also have The Plough. The Steamer, The Ship (decent for food) and the White Horse all within a minute of the station which all have their good and bad points but are generally good. If you're up for wandering about then the Moulsham Street area near the cricket ground is worth checking out (The Cricketers, Queens Head, Orange Tree and O'Connors are the better ones).

The ground is a mile and a half from the station and the local pubs are crap. So if you're not heading straight to the ground do your drinking in town and then buddy up in cabs (taxi rank next to the Ale House or behind the Plough by the station). You could get the 40 or 54/56 bus (ask for Melbourne Parade) but if there's a group cabs are quicker and cheaper.

If you fancy a curry afterwards the Rose of India 2 mins from the ground is your best bet. The Lantern House isn't a bad Chinese either and there's a quality Turkish restaurant next to The Ship as well.

Anyway, enjoy your visit. This isn't the football league so you're probably not going to like it but accept your here, approach it with the right attitude and you may enjoy it more than you think.