Torquay United Fans Forum

Here in peace and friendship.

Don’t usually get involved with other clubs, but having seen the Hampton team being described as a ‘pub car park team’ and ‘limited’, I felt I had to respond.

Quite a number of the squad have experience at a higher level, even League experience, so they are not all players playing above themselves. Also, many came up through Premier League and Championship academies, hardly the route of ‘limited’ players.

1; Ben Wynter was on loan with us last season and was a vital part of the push that got us to the playoff final. So hardly limited, or suitable for a pub car park. Didn’t look like the same player that we had, yesterday, though.

2; Mavila came to Hampton from Leyton Orient and was also in West Ham’s squad in 2015.

3; Simon Downer, 6 seasons at Leyton Orient and also over 300 appearances for Sutton Utd.

4; Uchechi, also experience of higher level football with West Ham, Sheff Wed, and Aberdeen.

5; Whichelow, an unused sub, made 20 appearances for Watford in the Championship.

And 6: Craig Dundas made over 500 appearances for Sutton, many in the National League.

There’s an experienced and skilful core, similar to what many clubs in the league have.

Am sure all the Hampton fans who travelled yesterday could all understand you’re extremely angry over the way your club is run, I think we would be too, although we don’t have the expectations and desires you do.

Please let’s have some respect for the teams you’re playing this season; in fact, don’t forget now, you’re one of us. You’re going to be one of the teams everyone will raise their game for, and that’s something hard to deal with sometimes, facing 40-odd cup finals.

But. On the plus side, our players were impressed by the way the guys over in the Popular Stand applauded them for their performance. Not many clubs do that, so kudos there as that’s pretty impressive.

At this level, its the team spirit that matters, and if a manager can get that, then they have a better chance of decent results. Even I could see that your squad didn’t have that and I hope it changes soon.

I hope Owers does go, for the sake of you guys; you’re an honest bunch who deserve better than what you’ve had recently.

Take care and we’ll welcome you all to our little place later in the season. Good luck at Evesham.