Name: Matty Orton
Twitter Name: @MattyOrton1
Why TUFC? Born, bred and spent the best part of 27 years in the town and around the area. My older brother was a big fan in the late 80s and although I knew he went to watch them, I was too young to understand what it was all about. My school was next to the ground and I learnt to swim at the infamous Swim Torquay – so Plainmoor has always been a place I’ve associated with since being very young.
Year started supporting TUFC and 1st game? Hard to say but it was definitely the early 90s possibly 1993. One of my earliest memories was taking a penalty against Ashley Bayes at my Primary School and then going to watch a game on the Saturday and sitting in the Family Stand. I couldn’t say for sure, but I think it was Gillingham and we lost 1-0. And of course Frank Prince was there!
Favourite all time TUFC players? All the cult heroes of that late 90s era. Jack, Beds, Gibbs etc. Let’s throw in some of Leroy’s team, and of course that late 00’s early 10’s era with the likes of Hargreaves, Rene Howe and Eunan O’Kane.
Best TUFC memory? Southend away in 2004 was good, but it probably has to be Wembley 2009 and that Wayne Carlisle cross, hanging in the air for an eternity before time sped up again, and Sills headed it home. In terms of League games, the Devon Derby double over Argyle at Plainmoor, and in more recent times being 4-0 up at half time away to Stockport was good fun – we ran riot that day!
Worst TUFC memory?
Wembley – 1998 (although probably too young to really feel it)
Old Trafford – 2011
Relegation from EFL – 2014
Relegation to NLS – 2018
Ashton Gate – 2021
Take your pick from any of those.
Favourite spot at Plainmoor? I spent a couple of seasons in the Family Stand, but all I can really remember from sitting there is how cold it was. Spent time up in the old Cow Shed when it was there. I’ve been on Bristow’s for a couple of PSF’s, but I now route myself firmly in the Popside at the back – usually as close to the halfway line as I can but always seem to end up just to the left of it.
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