Peter Moore: 'It was hard to believe that Torquay United are in danger of going into administration'

What can I say? Sitting in Bristow’s bench last Saturday surrounded by over 3,600 enthusiastic supporters in an electric atmosphere at Plainmoor it was hard to believe that Torquay United are in danger of going into administration. Will they survive? As a supporter I am used to disappointment but never anything like this. 

The club became a part of my family’s life as they were growing up. Torquay United was always in the background like the sea; appreciated but occasionally taken for granted. 

Although grown up with their own families, Torquay United is still a common topic on our family WhatsApp group. When they came down for Christmas we went to the boxing day game. More disappointment but that comes with the territory. 

We have fond memories of the Sherpa Van Trophy final at the old Wembley Stadium. We still have a faded flag in the attic. 

Also, the crucial game at Barnet watching our defender, Jimmy Agrey, leap up in the area like a rugby player in a line out to punch the ball away and give away a penalty. Not all supporters could get in and so we were shouting the score over the back of the stand. We still won. 

At one time my partner in the practice was the Torquay club doctor and I stood in for him if he was away. It gave me an insight into real lower league football. Coming out onto the pitch with the team was an amazing feeling when I heard the cheering. If this is what it feels like in front of 2,000 at Plainmoor who are not cheering for me what is it like in front of 100,000 at Wembley when they are cheering for you? Cyril Knowles was the manager and his pep talk was “I ***ing want this one lads”. When the ball shot over the bar to the excitement of the crowd he said, “You don’t get three points for going ooh”.

I was also the crowd doctor for a while, being called by the St John’s Ambulance team if anyone in the crowd fell ill. I was not paid but did get in for free. I remember an elderly away supporter who had travelled down from Burton on Trent, stood in the away end and fainted. He was cured by a sit down and a cup of tea.

Being a football supporter is addictive. Even when I’m away and the team are struggling, which is quite often, I sneakily look at my phone. 

I knew a Torquay Supporter who worked in Wall Street New York. Torquay had a vital match against Barnet. At the time he had an American girl friend. He explained why he was so anxious, and she tried to help. “If they go down, can’t you just support another team”.  The relationship did not last.

One friend was in France during the World Cup. The only match he could get tickets for was a Japanese game. He stood next to a Japanese supporter who, predictably, asked who he supported. “You won’t have heard of them, but I support Torquay United”.

“Oh, I support Torquay” came the reply in broken English.

“Sorry, you misheard. I said Torquay.”

“Yes, I’ve been to Plainmoor”. 

Amazingly this Japanese man had learnt to speak English at a language school in Torquay, been to watch the football and followed them ever since.  

No football club has a right to exist and several good clubs have had similar problems. In 2009 our neighbours, Plymouth Argyle were presented with a winding up order from HMRC. They went into administration but have since bounced back and are in the Championship, the second tier of English football. 

If support and enthusiasm from supporters could pay the bills we would have enough money to be in the Premier League. We have an active and effective supporters’ trust (TUST). On Saturday the popular side were singing Bob Marley’s “everything’s going to be alright”. The whole Bay must be hoping they are right.