I was pleased to see that Gary Johnson is back in the footballing saddle down in Devon. Do you think he still has the nous to return an obviously deficient organization to the league and sustainability? I wish him all the best in his new management job and his health.
Sorry for the late reply Mike but my Not 606 doesn't work at work any longer and my request for a password reset doesn't do anything either ! I must admit I have a soft spot for Torquay and have kept a very close eye on their sad demise over the past few years. They are one of the true outposts of English football along with the likes of Carlisle. In 2004 City played Torquay in L1 at the Gate on the opening day of the season. I went, and it was a sweltering August day and Torquay brought a good few fans with them too. The game ended 1-1 with Torquay getting a late disputed penalty after we went ahead. Decent game and a crowd of just under 15,000 When they slipped into the Conference I was concerned, especially when they lost 3-0 at Gateshead in the opening game but they found their feet eventually and did ok in their first season of adjustment. . Last season under Gary Owers who came in following a dismal start, and despite a late rally, they were just awful overall and I'm surprised he wasn't sacked before he took them down. The fans had been baying for his blood already this season where they've already lost games home and away and aside from the last result (a 2-0 win at Hungerford) Owers had hot coffee thrown over him by a fan after a 0-0 draw at Gloucester City (played at Evesham) and they seemingly cant score away from home. On the plus side they don't concede many goals at all so maybe there is hope if GJ can work some magic. It's a weird set up down there as the owner never attends games. He is a Bristol based businessman who has grand ideas for a new stadium but that's been mooted for nearly a decade with nothing to show for it so far. Radio Devon applied pressure on him to even get an interview which he reluctantly gave eventually, So they are now in the mix with some pretty small clubs like Weston-S-Mare, Oxford City (their away defeat) and Chippenham Town, but it seems to be a league where anyone can beat anyone so if GJ can put a run together they may still be able to get back to the National League. Torquay are away at Lymington in the FA Cup today so lets hope there is no Banana skin as they are several leagues below Torquay. But it's been raining here for hours so it could be a lottery. Up the Gulls !
Two wins out of two for GJ, nine goals scored and none conceded so it's a good start although Lymmington are 3 leagues below Torquay. I'm not sure about Woking, but Torquay could be the only team in the National League south who stayed full time professional. They are also the only ex Football league team in that division compared to the National League North which is peppered with ex league clubs like York, Darlington, Hereford, Stockport, Bradford Park Avenue, Kidderminster Harriers etc.
I was at the creek watching Bristol Manor Farm distroy a team (Basingstoke Town) 5-2 from a higher level in the fa cup, now they can possibly get gary johnsons Torquay United in the next round, how bloody good would that be. #FarmyArmy
The fixture gods clearly weren't listening as Torquay will play Brightlingsea Regent or Egham Town in the next round. Big game on Saturday at Plainmoor where Torquay play top of the table Woking who came down with them last season.
