Devon Day is the biggest day for Gulls

Plainmoor will open the doors to football fans for this weekend’s pivotal home clash with Hampton & Richmond in the National League South.

Billed as Devon Day, supporters from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City are set to descend on Torquay United to show their solidarity for a local football club in desperate trouble.

Argyle and City have a weekend off due to the international break and, given the crisis currently engulfing the Gulls, fans from Home Park and St James Park are shifting their attention to a wonderful show of support for United at a serious time of need.

Ever since owner Clarke Osborne announced his intention to place the club into administration last month, the Gulls have lurched from one disaster to another, including a ten points deduction from the National League and now successive heavy defeats to Taunton Town and Tonbridge Angels.

The changing picture means United sit just three points above the relegation zone with eight games remaining, and only three of those fixtures are at home. The time to fight back on the pitch is now, and interim boss Aaron Downes is well aware of the importance of Saturday.

“The Hampton game is a massive game for the football club and the supporters,” he said. “We know it is Devon Day and a big opportunity for us to work really hard this week in making sure we are solid, resolute and have an attacking threat.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we’ve got to make sure we’ve got fight and passion for this football club. It’s a big end to the season and it has to start on Saturday. We will work hard on the training ground to put in a performance for everybody.”

Both Argyle and City have experienced the pain of administration and know that every single supporter walking through the turnstiles will make a difference. In a time of turbulence at Plainmoor, the football community is coming together for Torquay United.