Why TUFC?:I was born a Birmingham fan, the family moved to Paignton in 1976. I spent several winters following my dad around the grounds of the South Devon League on Saturdays when he was on the management team at Brixham Villa reserves – latterly getting to watch a kid called Mark Loram starting to raise eyebrows. Once I was old enough to start getting about myself, I graduated to watching Torquay.
Year started supported TUFC and 1st game?: It was a long time ago so I can’t be 100% sure! But I think it was Jan 1982 – most of the rest of the country were having games wiped out by a big freeze & Torquay hosted Birmingham in a midweek friendly. Blues were pretty good that season and were at full strength, with Frank Worthington, Archie Gemmill & mad Mark Dennis all featuring. I can’t remember the score, but Worthington scored a beauty. I started going regularly from 1983/84.
Favourite all-time TUFC players?:Mark Loram, Dave Caldwell, Wes Saunders, Rodney Jack. All going back to the days when we were pretty good at times. We haven’t had enough seasons in the League in recent times for anyone to get near to that level, though some have gone on to prove themselves elsewhere.
Best TUFC memory?:The play-off final win against Blackpool at Wembley in 1991, my first promotion following the team. At Plainmoor, it would be a tie – Derek Dawkins winner against star-studded Tottenham in the League Cup in 1987 & the play-off semi-final win v Scarborough in 1998, where we ripped them apart from the start & which had easily the best atmosphere I can remember at Plainmoor (shame about the final though).
Worst TUFC memory?: Ashton Gate, obviously – I came away from that thinking we may never get another shot at returning to the EFL And there was a game v Wolves on a Saturday evening in 1986/87. We were 1-0 up when the away fans invaded the pitch. Not just a few of them either. It was pretty scary for a while, the game was suspended & the players were clearly intimidated after the restart – we lost 2-1. They became my least favourite team for many years
Favourite spot at Plainmoor?: On the Pop Side, adjacent to the penalty area at the Family Stand end. I love watching football around Europe & I’ll always took for tickets in a corner, whether it’s the San Siro or a German Regionalliga side.
Other:Mark used to be captain of a quiz team called the Devon Dumplings along with fellow contributor Andy Charles.
TORQUAYTALK 