Ticket sales tell a story at Plainmoor

Football fans do their talking with their wallets, and the incredible response to Torquay United’s first home friendly of pre-season, against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, tells the story of two Devon clubs bursting with enthusiasm for the campaign ahead.

United announced on Monday that ticket sales for the game had gone past 5,250. The away end is a complete sell-out and the few tickets remaining are standing only.

While the Pilgrims are enjoying a summer wave of optimism under the guidance of new Head Coach Wayne Rooney, the Plainmoor revolution has been even more dramatic.

The Bryn Consortium have transformed the perception of Torquay United. After years of doubt and distrust in the Clarke Osborne era, United fans are fully embracing the positive approach from the new owners.

Manager Paul Wotton has spent his summer building a squad he believes will be capable of mounting a serious promotion challenge in the National League South, and with the support of Football Advisor Neil Warnock, it is a safe bet the Gulls will be active in the loan market once EFL clubs get their campaigns underway.

The weekend meeting with Argyle will be particularly special for Wotton, a true legend at Home Park, who graced the club for many years as captain, leader and coach. After Plymouth, Wotton will turn his attention to the visit of old rivals Exeter City on Tuesday night (July 30).

United will complete their pre-season with a trip to Tiverton Town on August 3 and then the real business begins a week later, when Enfield visit Plainmoor for the first league fixture, and they will be greeted by over 1,300 season-ticket holders.

The Gulls then have away games at Farnborough and Bath City before welcoming Dorking Wanderers on August 24.

Once the campaign gets started, it is going to be a whirlwind of football, the typical rollercoaster of results. There will be ups and downs, of course, but if the current enthusiasm is maintained by the Plainmoor hierarchy, it could be one of the great seasons in Torquay United history.